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The proposed charter of secular values did not play a fundamental role in the Parti Québécois’ electoral defeat April 7, the minister responsible for the idea says.

Responding to criticism including remarks from his own colleagues about the divisive nature of the charter, Bernard Drainville said the real culprit in the PQ’s loss was referendum talk.

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He flatly denied the charter was cooked up for electoral reasons and he said Quebecers at the ballot box were answering one question, “Do you want a referendum?”

“We need to recognize (the election) transformed itself into an election referendum,” Drainville wrote in an opinion piece published Monday in Le Devoir.

A potential leadership candidate to replace Pauline Marois, he was reacting to criticism the charter played a role in the PQ’s worst electoral performance since 1970.

The day after the election, outgoing Intergovernmental Affairs Minister Alexande Cloutier, among others, blasted Drainville saying the PQ should have “concentrated on what would create a consensus,” instead of sticking to the hardline charter which divided.