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Quebec Premier Jean Charest is optimistic he can sign an unprecedented labour mobility deal with France as part of an economic strategy that he hopes will revitalize his leadership and revive his party's sagging fortunes.

"Our objective is that a French doctor, plumber, nurse or carpenter can work in Quebec and vice versa," Mr. Charest said in his closing remarks to a party meeting yesterday.

Quebec, which has had special diplomatic ties with France since the 1960s, would become the first province to sign a labour mobility agreement with a foreign country if talks succeed in producing a deal.

Mr. Charest, who has been promoting a free-trade agreement between Canada and the European Union, proposed the idea during a meeting with French President Nicolas Sarkozy in July.

Mr. Sarkozy, who will replace German Chancellor Angela Merkel as chairman of the European Union in 2008, has expressed an openness to pursue a trans-Atlantic free-trade accord with Canada, as well as moving on a specific labour mobility deal with Quebec.

Mr. Charest insisted that an agreement between Quebec and France was not dependent on Canada signing a free-trade agreement with the European Union. He hopes an agreement with France can be initiated by the time Mr. Sarkozy visits Quebec next year as part of the celebrations marking the 400th anniversary of the founding of Quebec City.

"I'm hoping that within the next year we can start up the negotiations in a formal way," Mr. Charest said during a news conference." I'd want it to be pushed along as rapidly as possible, take advantage of the 400th anniversary to say let's get this done. It should become in my eyes a symbol of the special relations between Quebec and France. And if it does, it will become a symbol for the world because we will be the first place in the world to accomplish this."

At a time when Quebec faces labour shortages with the lowest unemployment rate in 30 years, Mr. Charest argued that labour mobility will be the key to generating future economic growth in Quebec. He argued that the Quebec Liberals were the only "party of openness" and "the party of economic wealth." He insisted Quebec will need to become more inclusive and open its doors to the free flow of workers and goods if it hopes to continue growing and prospering.

"Do you want a leadership that emphasizes our differences?" Mr. Charest told party members. "Instead of emphasizing our differences, we want to work towards attracting people and building Quebec."

Turning toward Europe was only part of what Mr. Charest called his new economic vision. He also stressed the need to sign a free-trade agreement with Ontario as early as next year that would also facilitate labour mobility and the export of Quebec energy resources.

"We haven't set a timeline. We are going to let the Ontario election unfold and we'll then sit down and have a chat with them," Mr. Charest. A senior government official said that Ontario Premier Dalton McGuinty, as well as Conservative Leader John Tory, have both agreed to pursue negotiations.

Mr. Charest noted that all the provinces have agreed to eliminate obstacles to labour mobility by April 1, 2009. Currently, most workers in Canada can circulate freely, but at least 25 per cent of them face major obstacles - especially those working in the fields of health and education. The objective will be to achieve total labour mobility. "If need be, we agreed we would legislate to get there," Mr. Charest said.

The Liberal Leader, who has been labelled the most disliked politician in Quebec in a recent public opinion poll, said he understands the difficult task the lies ahead in trying to win back the confidence of voters. After 23 years in politics, he said, he has learned to deal with adversity and was prepared to meet the difficult challenge that lies ahead.

"It isn't just a straight road that goes downhill all the way. It's made of valleys, of peaks and challenges. ...When I look at challenges I see opportunity," Mr. Charest said, "and that is to make the Liberal Party of Quebec the place where Quebeckers will put their confidence."