A Quebec teacher’s union official who strongly supports an independent Quebec called two Montreal Jewish business leaders “economic terrorists” yesterday at an economic summit meeting convened by the Quebec government. The statement was made by Yvon Charbonneau, chairman of the 70,000-member Union of Quebec Teachers, and was aimed at Bernard Finestone and Sam Steinberg, who took part in the conference as business spokesmen. Finestone is president of the Montreal Board of Trade and Steinberg is board chairman of Steinberg, Ltd., a major food chain.
Charbonneau defined an “economic terrorist” as “anybody who has economic power” in Quebec “but refuses to make decisions affecting the provincial economy openly and democratically.” Brian Mulroney, executive vice-president of the Iron Ore Co. of Canada, also present for industry, called Charbonneau’s remarks “racist and anti-Semitic.” Charbonneau reportedly regards Finestone and Steinberg as foes of a French Quebec sought by Premier Levesque.
Finestone said at the meeting that he and Steinberg had made it clear they wanted to remain in Quebec and cooperate in helping to solve its economic problems. Steinberg said he had no idea what sparked the union official’s attack. The meeting was held at Pointe-au-Pic, 60 miles from Montreal. (By Michael Solomon)
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