Acting federal NDP Leader Nycole Turmel, making a stop in St. John’s yesterday in place of Jack Layton, had to answer tough questions about her past and current ties to separatist organizations in Quebec. Since taking on the leadership role, it has been revealed that Turmel was not only a member of the Bloc Quebecois party until January of this year, but STILL remains a card-carrying member of Quebec Solidaire, a provincial party dedicated to socialism and sovereigntism. “I represent Canada. I am a federalist,” said Turmel, sticking to a series of answers about what she called “a mistake.” Turmel also waded into challenging waters with regards federal support for the Lower Churchill development – a initiative which many in Quebec are firmly against. “I support the request of Newfoundland on this issue. This is clear to me,” said Turmel.
