MONTREAL - The Parti Quebecois has watered down a part of its language policy just one day after its original announcement prompted a backlash from aboriginal groups.

The party now says it won't actually force everyone in Quebec, including aboriginal peoples, to prove they can speak French to run for local or provincial office.

The PQ now explains that its proposed new "Quebec citizenship" status would automatically be granted to everyone who already lives in the province and, with that citizenship, someone could run for elected office.

Future newcomers would still have to demonstrate some knowledge of Quebec and of French, however, to become Quebec "citizens" and run for office in a process the PQ described as similar to what exists in Canada.

When PQ Leader Pauline Marois originally announced her plan for a Quebec citizenship on Tuesday, she indicated that the policy would apply to everybody. By Wednesday, the PQ was downplaying the immediate scope of its ambition.

"What we want is to eventually move toward a Quebec where the representatives chosen by citizens can communicate at a minimum level of French with the people they represent," said PQ MNA Alexandre Cloutier.

"We hope for that because French is the language of the majority in Quebec — it's the official language."

But Marois' announcement had prompted a swift backlash from native groups. Some aboriginal communities overwhelmingly speak English or native languages.

An Inuit group called the PQ proposal ridiculous. And, in a statement on Wednesday, the Quebec and Labrador Assembly of First Nations said it wouldn't abide by the policy.

The statement from Assembly Chief Ghislain Picard said "none of the First Nations in Quebec" will bend to "a foreign law adopted by a provincial government."

The plan is among several of the nationalist policies put forward by the PQ, currently considered the front-runner, in the current election campaign. It has also promised to extend language laws beyond high school, to junior colleges.

The party says it wants to send the messages that when immigrants arrive in Quebec, they are arriving in a French-speaking territory with a certain set of values.

The PQ has also indicated that it would welcome any conflict with the federal government, or the Supreme Court, on these identity issues because that would in their opinion illustrate that Quebec's identity will always be threatened for as long as it remains in Canada.

However, it's not yet clear whether public opinion in Quebec would ultimately side with the PQ or the Supreme Court in any such conflict.

In the face of a backlash, the party has already hinted that its plan to extend Bill 101 to CEGEPs would not be an immediate priority. Then there was Wednesday's backpedalling.

Liberal Leader Jean Charest expressed disbelief.

"I have rarely seen such improvisation — on a subject that isn't mundane either," Charest said after the PQ announcement Wednesday.

"It's about who has a right to run in elections."

Charest noted that the citizenship plan dates back several years, and was endorsed by the party when Francois Legault — now the Coalition party leader — was still with the PQ. He referred to an interview in which a prominent PQ member said the citizenship plan would be the party's first act in government.

"Now you're telling me they won't do it. Oh," Charest deadpanned. He said the confusion proved the PQ wasn't ready to govern.

The PQ was vague on other details of its plan. It couldn't say whether its citizenship legislation would apply to aboriginal people who arrive from outside Quebec — from Labrador, for instance.

Cloutier said the legislation would be studied by a parliamentary committee where all citizens could share their concerns.

"Our aboriginal friends will have the chance to come and express themselves in front of a parliamentary committee," Cloutier said. He added that the idea was being presented in a "spirit of openness and those who want to be heard, will be."

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• Key Quebec Election Issues

  As Quebec begins a provincial election campaign, with a vote scheduled for Sept. 4, here are some key issues and the stated positions, so far, of the three largest parties: the Liberals, the Parti Quebecois and the Coalition for Quebec's Future.<br><br><em>With files from CP</em>

• Student Strikes

  Liberals say their $254-a-year, seven-year tuition increases will improve universities while expanded loans and bursaries programs will actually leave the poorest students better off. Liberals have mostly refused to budge in face of protests, although their original proposal was for $325-a-year increases over five years. Their controversial Bill 78 would reopen classes in mid-August for one-third of students still on strike, while setting out severe fines for anyone blocking schools.<br><br>PQ has been more supportive of protesters and would cancel the hikes, propose smaller increases pegged to inflation and hold provincial summit on university funding.<br><br>The Coalition has positioned itself to occupy the middle ground, proposing more modest annual tuition increases of $200 a year over five years. Party originally voted for Bill 78 but now says it created unnecessary tension and wants some provisions suspended.

• Ethics

  After two years of intense pressure, Charest Liberals called a corruption inquiry that is now probing malfeasance in construction industry and its ties to political parties and organized crime. Before that, they had announced plans to hire more oversight officials at Transport Department; tougher fines for engineering firms; stricter political fundraising laws; new rules for public-works tendering; and new anti-corruption squad that has since made numerous arrests.<br><br>PQ making ethics central plank of platform. It wants tougher legislation preventing companies guilty of tax evasion from winning public contracts. It also proposes new measures to combat voter cynicism including: citizen-initiated referendums, fixed election dates, political donations limited to $100 a year, and the right to vote at age 16.<br><br>The Coalition wants new integrity commissioner to oversee government contracts, and new powers for prosecutors, as part of a "big cleanup." It also promises fixed election dates.

• Northern Development

  Liberals will tout Plan Nord, a sweeping plan that sets out $80 billion in public and private investments in mining, energy, infrastructure and conservation projects over a quarter-century.<br><br>PQ accuses Liberals of selling off Quebec's natural wealth at cut-rate prices and is calling for a 30 per cent surtax on profits from non-renewable resources.<br><br>The Coalition has also taken aim at the signature plan, alleging windfall will primarily benefit foreign companies and Quebec mining firms cosy with Liberals.

• Sovereignty

  Liberals have long stood as the major federalist option in Quebec. Party is frequently accused by opponents of being subservient to Ottawa. However, it has clashed publicly with federal government over issues like long-gun registry, omnibus crime bill and changes to health transfers.<br><br>PQ is offering no timetable for third referendum on independence. Instead, party plans to pick fights with Ottawa in seeking more power over immigration, environment, agriculture and revenue collection. PQ hopes such battles will generate support for independence. Eventually, Quebecers themselves could initiate referendum, under plan to allow California-style plebiscites. People would need to collect 850,000 signatures to hold provincial vote on a given topic.<br><br>The Coalition, led by former PQ minister Francois Legault, vows to shelve any referendum on independence for 10 years to focus on building economy. But many federalists remain wary of the once-passionate sovereigntist.