OTTAWA — Hardline sovereigntists are continuing to hammer away at governor general designate Michaelle Jean and her husband Jean-Daniel Lafond, with further allegations that the couple has supported Quebec sovereignty.

The sovereigntist newspaper Le Quebecois drew attention Monday to a 1993 book authored by Lafond in which Jean, a former broadcaster, said "you don't give independence, you take it."

The comments were included in a 1991 documentary film by Lafond and in his subsequent companion book about French-speaking author Aime Cesaire, Le Quebecois reported. The context of Jean's comment, which was made during a discussion about both Martinique and Quebec independence, was not clear.

In the book about the documentary, Lafond appeared to support Quebec independence.

"So, a sovereign Quebec? An independent Quebec. Yes, I applaud with both hands and I promise to attend all the St-Jean Baptiste Day parades," the cinematographer wrote.

He added that Quebec will affirm its identity and become a real country in the modern world.

In the film, Jean is seen with several sovereigntist hardliners, including poet Gerald Godin -- a co-founder of Rassemblment pour l'independence nationale and Parti Quebecois cabinet minister, Yves Prefontaine, former FLQ member Pierre Vallieres, novelist Dany Laferriere, Andree Ferretti and poet Paul Chamberland, according to Le Quebecois.

At the beginning of one scene, the guests toast independence.

Vallieres later says: "Not only should Martinique go to independence, but to revolution, as Quebec should."

To that, Jean replies: "Yes, one doesn't give independence, one takes it."

While it isn't clear what Jean was referring to 14 years ago, Le Quebecois has drawn fresh allegations about her position on Quebec sovereignty.

"It is now clear that it's the couple that has long maintained relationships with FLQ members and independence supporters, and not only Jean-Daniel Lafond," Le Quebecois said in a news release.

Jean has declined any public comment until she is sworn in on Sept. 27, and has been referring questions to the Prime Minister's Office.

Paul Martin's office continued to defend the nomination of Jean as governor general Monday.

"We undertook very rigorous background checks before the job offer, as much with the Privy Council as with the Canadian Security Intelligence Service and the RCMP," said spokeswoman Melanie Gruer.

"In addition, Mme Jean confirmed her and her husband's support of Canada to us. She also repeated during the announcement of her nomination that she was committed to the Canadian people.''

Last week, writer Rene Boulanger wrote on the newspaper's website that Jacques Rose, a former member of the Front de liberation du Quebec, built a library in the home of the Lafond-Jean.

Rose served eight years as an accessory after the fact in the kidnap and murder of provincial cabinet minister Pierre Laporte in the 1970 October Crisis.

Lafond, who was born in France, met a number of former FLQ members when he worked on the 1994 National Film Board documentary, La Liberte en colere.

Jean is to be sworn-in to replace Adrienne Clarkson on Sept. 27.