Pauline Marois Quotes

Powerful Pauline Marois for Daily Growth

About Pauline Marois

Pauline Marois (January 16, 1942 – October 28, 2018) was a prominent Canadian politician who served as the 31st Premier of Quebec from September 4, 2012, until her resignation on April 22, 2014. Born in Sainte-Jeanne-d'Arc, Quebec, Marois demonstrated an early interest in politics and activism, becoming involved with student groups during her time at the University of Montreal. Marois joined the Parti Québécois (PQ) in 1970, rising through its ranks to become a prominent figure in the party. She was first elected as a Member of the National Assembly of Quebec (MNA) in 1985 and served in various cabinet positions throughout her political career, including Minister of Education, Minister of Culture, and Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs. Marois's leadership style was characterized by her firm commitment to sovereignty for Quebec and her advocacy for social justice issues. In 2012, she led the PQ to a majority government in the provincial elections, making her the first female Premier of Quebec. During her tenure, Marois pursued policies aimed at advancing language rights, protecting French-language education, and promoting gender equality. However, her premiership was marked by controversy, particularly over her government's proposed Charter of Quebec Values, which sought to ban religious symbols for public employees. This proposal led to widespread protests and political backlash, contributing to the PQ's defeat in the 2014 provincial elections. Following her resignation, Marois remained active in politics, serving as a member of the Quebec legislature until her death from lung cancer in 2018. Throughout her life, Pauline Marois was an influential figure in Quebec politics and a passionate advocate for sovereignty, social justice, and the French language. Her legacy continues to shape political discourse in Quebec and beyond.

Interpretations of Popular Quotes

"Il faut que le Québec soit souverain pour être vraiment libre." (For Quebec to be sovereign is for it to be truly free.)

This quote by Pauline Marois emphasizes the idea that for Quebec, a province in Canada, achieving sovereignty (self-governance) is essential for true freedom. In other words, she suggests that only by governing itself can Quebec fully express its cultural identity, make decisions that align with its unique values, and exercise control over its own destiny - thus being truly free. This perspective underscores the importance of self-determination in maintaining cultural and political autonomy for Quebec as a distinct society within Canada.


"Nous ne pouvons pas continuer à marcher dans les traces de nos pères et de nos oncles. Il est temps de changer." (We cannot continue to walk in the footsteps of our fathers and uncles. It's time for change.)

This quote by Pauline Marois emphasizes the need for progression rather than adhering strictly to tradition. It suggests that the current ways, as they have been passed down from previous generations (fathers and uncles), may no longer be suitable or effective in the present context. The call for change implies a desire to innovate, adapt, and move forward, suggesting an openness to new ideas and possibilities.


"Il s'agit d'un choix qui va permettre à la société québécoise de se construire elle-même, avec son propre visage et sa propre identité." (It is a choice that will allow Quebec society to build itself, with its own face and its own identity.)

This quote by Pauline Marois suggests that the decision or action in question will empower Quebec society to shape its own unique character and define its distinct identity, independent of external influences. In essence, it emphasizes the importance of self-determination and cultural autonomy for Quebec as a society.


"Le Québec est un pays différent. C'est différent culturellement, linguistiquement, historiquement. Il y a une différence de caractère qui nous marque." (Quebec is a different country. It is culturally, linguistically, historically different. There is a difference in character that marks us.)

This quote by Pauline Marois highlights the unique cultural, linguistic, and historical identity of Quebec as distinct from other countries. She emphasizes the differences in character, indicating a sense of national individuality and pride within Quebec. The quote underscores the importance of understanding and preserving these differences that make Quebec special and unique.


"Le Québec est un pays où l'on parle français et on en a le droit." (Quebec is a country where French is spoken and we have the right to do so.)

This quote by Pauline Marois underscores the cultural identity of Quebec as a predominantly French-speaking region with a strong desire for linguistic preservation. By stating "we have the right," she emphasizes the importance of preserving French language and culture within Quebec's borders, asserting its autonomy and distinctiveness in North America.


One of the ways to make sure policies are more transparent and to help restore people's confidence in politicians... is to ensure renewal at the highest level of office.

- Pauline Marois

Sure, Highest Level, Ensure, Renewal

I feel like saying we need to all calm down a little. Let's take the time to breathe. I have no intention of allowing myself be distracted.

- Pauline Marois

Myself, Need, Like, Calm Down

My victory is your victory. My victory is the victory of a unified party, a party that wants to propose to the Quebec people a country that is free and a country that is independent.

- Pauline Marois

Independent, Country, Propose

We don't know what proportion of public funds is regularly lost to collusion and corruption. Is it 25 per cent? 30 per cent? We do know that a portion of these public funds are feeding organized crime.

- Pauline Marois

Portion, Proportion, Cent, Funds

We have a beautiful program which is audacious and I really want us all to roll up our sleeves and to work at making it a success.

- Pauline Marois

Work, Making, Which, Audacious

You know, kicking people's butts with round-edged boots is good, but with pointy shoes, it's even better.

- Pauline Marois

Good, Shoes, People, Boots

I'm not a snob.

- Pauline Marois

Snob

I joined the PQ in the 1970s because of the issue of sovereignty. And that's why I wake up in the morning. A woman who gives birth to a country, that would be interesting.

- Pauline Marois

Woman, Country, Issue, 1970s

You know, I would like to ask to the other parts of Canada to respect the minority of the French Canadians.

- Pauline Marois

Other, Like, Minority, Canadians

The anglophones are Quebecers, as are the French, as are the new Quebecers.

- Pauline Marois

New, French

Never, never, will I accept, on issues of integrity, comparisons with the Liberal party.

- Pauline Marois

Integrity, Never, Will, Party

You know, now there is always half of the new Quebecers who are going to the English CEGEP. After that, often they are going to work in English. So for us, that is so important. We are a real minority in North America. Two per cent of the population are French-speaking. We have to protect this reality.

- Pauline Marois

North America, Half, Cent, Minority

I can assure you the hemorrhaging has stopped. I asked remaining caucus members if they adhered to the party program, if they would stay in the PQ and that they would be by my side. They all said yes.

- Pauline Marois

Yes, Side, Stopped, Assure

Sovereignty was not an issue in this campaign. The sovereignty numbers that were there before the campaign are still there. Sovereignty is as alive as it was. But there is work to do to convince Quebecers.

- Pauline Marois

Alive, Still, Issue, Sovereignty

Sovereignty is as necessary as ever.

- Pauline Marois

Necessary, Ever, Sovereignty

For me, everything is still possible and I am as determined as ever. I believe first that the project of a people does not die. It is the project of freedom for a people, it is a project of sovereignty. And since the nation exists, it has the right to its own state. I will work to advance it in that direction.

- Pauline Marois

Die, Own, Nation, Sovereignty

The biggest risk to Quebec isn't sovereignty. It is staying in Canada.

- Pauline Marois

Canada, Biggest, Staying, Sovereignty

I hope that one day the people of Quebec will one day be a part of the concert of nations. This is an internal debate. This will happen when Quebecers are ready.

- Pauline Marois

Will, Happen, Internal, Quebec

We do not want the Quebec nation to disappear.

- Pauline Marois

Want, Nation, Disappear, Quebec

Cynicism lost and hope won. For the first time, the government of Quebec will be led by a woman.

- Pauline Marois

Woman, Government, Cynicism, Quebec

If Quebeckers want Jean Charest, well, they can choose him. It's never a winning formula to divide Quebeckers.

- Pauline Marois

Winning, Want, Choose, Jean

There is a false assumption about the Parti Quebecois that we don't know anything about the economy... Well that's a myth.

- Pauline Marois

False, Myth, About, Assumption

I want to tell Quebecers that are listening: if you want to get back to the goal of creating a country, only a majority government can do it, a sovereigntist government of the Parti Quebecois.

- Pauline Marois

Listening, Goal, Country, Majority

No one can buy me. It allows me to devote myself completely to what I do. Knowing that I'm comfortable removes a big burden off my shoulders.

- Pauline Marois

Big, Shoulders, Buy, Devote

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