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MONTREAL — The new Parti Québécois government is earning some unflattering reviews from one of its former leaders even before completing its first half-week in office.

Lucien Bouchard issued a statement Friday condemning comments about shale gas made by the new PQ minister in charge of the industry.

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While an environmental review process is only barely underway, Natural Resources Minister Martine Ouellet has already said the resource can never be developed safely. Before entering politics, Ms. Ouellet was an environmental activist, mechanical engineer, and official at Hydro-Québec.

She can now add another line to her CV: Bouchard foe. A popular former leader of the PQ and premier from 1996 to 2001, Mr. Bouchard is now the president of the Quebec Oil and Gas Association.

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“Confusion reigns,” Mr. Bouchard said.

He listed six questions raised by Ms. Ouellet’s comments: Is the ongoing environmental review cancelled? Should that review be allowed to complete its work? What did Ms. Ouellet mean by the “complete moratorium” she appeared to be announcing this week? Has the government already written off the industry?