Facal was one of several public notables, also including Lucien Bouchard, who endorsed the manifesto Pour un Québec lucide in October 2005. The manifesto generally promoted conservative ideas such as increased privatization, though it also called for government re-investment in some areas. Its specific recommendations included debt reduction, a substantial increase to Quebec's electricity rates (reflecting what the signatories described as real market values), significant new financial support for education, a lifting of Quebec's long-standing tuition freeze, and a guaranteed minimum wage.Graeme Hamilton, "Quebec told to reform or face fiscal disaster: Pequistes, federalists agree more need to learn English," National Post, 20 October 2005, A1; Graham Fraser, "Bouchard urges reforms in Quebec," Toronto Star, 20 October 2005, A14; Lysiane Gagnon, "Surprise! It's happy days for Charest," Globe and Mail, 31 October 2005, A13.
