MONTREAL -- Coalition Avenir Quebec (CAQ) Leader François Legault has asked a candidate not to run under his party's banner after the man published a tweet linking separatism to racism.

Chomeday, Que., candidate Kamal G. Lufti published a tweet yesterday, saying that "the discourse is racist for separatists in abolishing multiculturalism" during a conversation with a separatist group.
Lufti's tweets have since been removed.

Legault said that "Kamal G. Lufti's words are downright contrary to the values and political orientations of Coalition Avenir Quebec... We cannot tolerate a candidate saying opponents are racist."

The leader of the centre-right party was in hot water himself 10 days ago after publishing a tweet deemed sexist.

"Girls don't give as much importance to their salary as boys do," Legault wrote during an exchange with a journalist about his proposal to raise teachers' salaries.