Head of new Quebec sovereignty institute promises unbiased research

The newly created institute promises to be a think tank which is independent of political influence, even though it was created by Parti Qubcois Leader Pierre Karl Pladeau and delivered as a campaign promise.

Daniel Turp, president of the Institut de recherche sur l'Autodtermination des peuples et des Indpendances nationales (IRAI), spoke to CBC Montreal's Daybreak about the centre's goals and their search for a director.

Here are edited excerpts of the formerPQ MNA and BlocQubcoisMP'sconversation with hostMikeFinnerty.

How independent will the centrebe from Pladeau?

Mr. Pladeau initiatedchoosing the director. ButMr. Pladeau will have no say in the content or research, or in the choice of researchers. I will ensure its independence. I will receive no instructions from Mr. Pladeau or from anyone else.

Hasn't Pierre Karl Pladeau donated $1 million?

I don't know. He hasn't put forward anyamount orgiven anyassurance of how much money he'll be donating. I know he wants to fund the institute in a significant fashion. But there are others who want to fund it and invest in research.

How can research be independent with such a high-profile politician creating it?

It's going to be a non-profit organization. We designed the organization in a way that it won't be linked to a political party.I'm an independentlyminded person and I won't be linked with a party. It will be a research institute.

Is sovereignty still relevant?

Thirty-five per cent of people believe it is. I always remind people that a few months before the referendum in 1995, 38 per centof people favoured sovereignty but in October, 49 per centvoted for sovereignty.

As a professor,I'm in front of a classroom full of young people who really believe in independence.

This wont be about "selling sovereignty."This is about doing good research.