Night of the Long Sighs: Pauline Marois, Premier-Elect of Canada’s Spoilt Child
It was inevitable.
A premier embalmed by his government’s own unprecedented corruption, and independents staying home rather than supporting either the raving nationalists or proponents of a united Canada–the die was cast.
As big a luminary as Jean Charest was when he entered the lion’s den of Quebec politics, he left, earlier this evening, a lamb.
He lost not only his government, but the very seat in the very region he’s held either as an MP or MNA, for 28 years.
An ignominy that a lesser man might take with unending hurt–and perpetual angst. For, what will become of his legacy in a province on the verge of possible collapse? Should we not be worried?
Their economy is far from stable, Quebec’s resource and manufacturing sectors left floundering–she’s far from the young beauty the rest of the country resented for so long.
Charest, ever the sure, though quiet pugilist, will now presumably ride into the twilight, regardless of his relative youth. Dreams of federal ripsnorter triumphs fading into the setting sun. He was a very good premier of Quebec–for a long while, and will be missed by those that truly understand the province, and her necessary place in this country.
But it was the great leap backward Quebec took in electing a separatist premier, Pauline Marois, a loathsome creature of the past, if there ever was one, and limited only by the minority that binds her–that will define Canada’s spoilt child for the next four years; that will almost certainly bode not particularly well for the country–unless someone steps in.
If Marois lasts that long. If Quebec does?
There are a number of ways this could descend into constitutional oblivion, and all of them. thankfully, must first present themselves before a man you may have heard of.
Stephen Harper.
If there was ever a time when even the Prime Minister’s harshest, most shrill critics should logically be glad he is at the helm while Quebec possibly implodes, it’s now.
He either sinks this putt or there will be no playoff. He either wins this, or it’s over. If Marois pushes too hard, Harper must fight and win, or he’s done.
And there is no federal leader in that zone, at this time. No one.
His opponents should approach this with glee–but for all of the time it will take to remember who they are dealing with: A man that systematically moved the political needle to the right, all while they slept. All through the polemics he loves but loathes, too.
The Prime Minister, for all of his failings (be they few, but significant to many), since securing his majority, has demonstrated a deft handling of the childish and puerile Franco-baiting by Bob Rae, eventually Thomas Mulcair, but by Quebec’s whore, Jack Layton before either of them. Harper, never one to lose such an easy plot knows, instinctively, that the potential for Quebec unrest, will boil down to his ability to demonstrate Marois’ idiocy for what it is: the inefficacy of yesterday’s woman to recognize her best years aren’t just behind her, but long dead.
Remind you of anyone?
Michael Ignatieff was the first to attempt to bait Stephen Harper with the “Quebec Nation” nonsense. And the Prime Minister obliged–somewhat, though with clever caveats and tangible conditions that Quebec still rejected, through two elections, only to discover their irrelevancy.
They gambled and lost.
Again.
This is the hallmark of Quebec nationalism and insurgency: Act like an ass and have your’s handed to you.
Far from being necessary–and having fooled themselves of Harper’s need to adopt the ‘Mackenzie King Paradox’ to win his coveted majority (The West and Quebec), our confederation brat, has only their default position to offer: Give us more power.
Or something equally obsequious. Should you not, we’ll leave and take your toys with us.
Or something equally nauseating.
The threat of such a snit, should be met head-on by the Prime Minister. Enough is quite enough. We are all suffering while Quebec takes a larger-than-fair portion of the federal pie. This must end. We’ve had quite enough, thank you.
How much longer are we to be subjected to such impudent, flagrant blackmail? On what other issue will you find Quebec’s two most successful political sons, Pierre Trudeau and Brian Mulroney, essentially covering two sides of the same page?
It’s time Quebec decided that they want to grow up. We make larger payments to them, pay higher prices for their products, cut them more slack and provide generous quarter, at the mere hint of a separatist burp.
And they whine.
Well, it’s time we played this game to the hilt–but cleverly, once and for all. Expose the Pequistes for the shameless lies they tell and empty threats they make.
France won’t have them. They’re broke. America can’t stand them–even they’re not willing to adopt such a headache for all the soil richness of Labrador.
Lance the boil, Mr. Harper. I can’t think of anyone Ms. Marois will find more annoying.
And impossible to beat.
No, without the rest of Canada, Quebec is nothing but a fading star. A surely lacklustre starlet that cannot compete with either British Columbia’s perpetual geo-political position, or Alberta’s economic jet engine–arguments to the contrary be revealed for the drivel peddling they be. Atlantic Canada boasts a better future, for God’s sake.
The nation has changed. Quebec hasn’t. Every time their self-propelled irrelevancy bubbles to the surface, they try to tie a millstone around our necks (with apologies to Benjamin Disraeli).
Well, no more. Are you listening, Prime Minister? Your place in this country’s history awaits. If only Ms. Marois is stupid enough to gift-wrap your pedestal. Do us proud, Sir.
It will be an interesting time for this country.
And it will give Stephen Harper the issue he’ll need to win a second majority.
That’s if he doesn’t take the bait.
And Pauline Marois doesn’t first recognize that she’s got no one left to lie to.
What chances do you give the CAQ and Liberals forming government? Without the CAQ or Liberals she cant form government.
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None. If they build an alliance with the perceived corrupt Liberals, they adopt the fleas from a dead dog.
They have no choice but to prop up Marois or risk more violence in the streets. If she goes too far on the separatist end, they can easily topple her government as the Liberals would never want to be seen as supporting her.
As it stands, the Liberals really didn’t do that badly in terms of seats. It will be interesting to be sure.
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Could there be a lesson here for the BC Conservatives or is this just wacky Quebec politics at its best.
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A great lesson for BC Conservatives, if only they would awaken with a new leader and a purge of the Bible boobs.
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I don’t mind John Cummins. He has helped stay at the helm for a few years, but it is time for him to fade into the background and add support to a new party. They will not fare much better than the Liberals unless they slice out the divisive issue of “church and state” within the BCCP. I think JVD would do well here as he is a known quantity.
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Quebec has long been a pain in Canada’s ass. The separatists are and always have been “set your hair on fire boys” and light the torches. The political scene of Quebec likens to a piece of impressionism art, you can see there’s a picture there, you just can’t make out what it really is. Too bad, the province is beautiful and the real french a delight to meet. It’s that franco bullshit that’s always burned my ass.
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BY “Bible boobs” do you mean Christians?
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No, I mean extremist Christians.
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Alex..wish I were as certain as you are when you say…
“They have no choice but to prop up Marois or risk more violence in the streets.”
Look up the history of the CAQ leadership starting with Francois Legault.
What you are saying is that Legault, a man who was many times elected under the PQ banner, who served in government as a minister under Lucien Bouchard and was as IN the PQ as recently as 2008, cannot reach an accommodation with his old PQ friends?
I think that is wishful thinking and that we are in grave danger of seeing another referendum in Quebec before 4 years is up. Marois doesnt need THAT many seats to gain a majority.
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But the province has fundamentally changed.
If they play that game, it will be Stephen Harper, who will wrap himself in the flag and they’ll make him look like a super hero.
Trust me. They’re not that bright.
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AGT, you presume too much.
Harper wants the West out of Confederation – Quebec can hang itself and Steve will ring his hands saying: I did my best to hold Canada together – c’est la vie.
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You are utterly delusional.
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“The West out of Confederation”. Since when was Alberta “the West”?
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Good point. But Calgary grit needs help, clearly. To suggest such an agenda exists is truly delusional.
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it was time for the seperatists to make a comeback. the pendulem swings & its just time again but as time has past & the nature of quebec has changed they did not attain their majority nor will they ever again. They don’t have the leaders such as Levesque who was truly brilliant.
I suspect the new premier of quebec will simply limp along. she may attempt to implement some of her “platform” but it may well be met with cries of racism. she will most likely give the students what they want & that will get them out of the streets & everyone can go back to sleep.
the new premier may want to take quebec out of canada but she as other have forgotten it isn’t just the francophones who live there. There is the not so small matter of the First Nations People. They may well have no interest in leaving Canada. The have a lot of land.
it is unfortunate that Charest lost his seat. He has done a lot of good work. Of course, given he is still youngish, he could go back where he was, the federal Conservative party. He went to Quebec as a favour to the rest of the country & switched parties to do it. Harper isn’t all that popular. He did get his majority but he is starting to scare a lot of people. Charest on the other hand might just be the right alternative to harper. I dont’ think it will happen but it is a happy thought.
If politics in b.c. becomes dull we can always look to quebec for entertainment.
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Superb analysis of Quebec’s plight as Canada’s recalcitrant child. This could prove to be the undoing of Mulcair’s national appeal. Harper can sit out the first few rounds while the Federal NDP and Marois’ PQ struggle through an ill fated and tempestuous dalliance. Harper may indeed choose to play this hand in trump as he seems to be holding most of the cards. I suspect Rae and Mulcair will be traipsing all through Quebec, promising anything and everything, now more than ever. Thank you again for your timely, thoughtful blog posts on all matter of topics.
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With pleasure. Thank you, James, for your thoughtful and pertinent comments.
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Great column Alex. It should be a must read for all Canadians both inside and outside of Quebec.
“The nation has changed, Quebec hasn’t.” No truer words have been spoken on the subject for a long time and is something a lot of Candians surely agree with.
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Thank you.
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I second what Larry states above.
One of your finer posts, Alex.
I, for one, am sick and tired of being held hostage by Quebec.
I would love to see how they would fare all on their own…….not long IMHO.
Good work and a must read.
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Thank you. I enjoyed writing it very much.
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That was a beautiful read.
You worked on that long before the election results were in……..didn’t you?
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Not at all. I penned it in half an hour. Right as the shots rang out during Marois’ speech.
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Wow. The eloquence must just be rolling around in there bursting at the seams. Prose and politics……..odd bedfellows. Well done.
I wonder what Ron’s problem is. What you wrote is the truth.
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Thx again, pal.
I don’t know what his problem is.
And I, frankly, couldn’t care less.
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Deja-vu all over again in Quebec. Let’s hope it’s a comedy this time and not a melodrama. Their economy is all Greek to me (apologies to the responsible Greeks), and their heightened sense of entitlement is continuing. Will it ever end?
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So what do you think this PQ victory does to the political aspirations of that nauseating Trudeau fellow? After all, didn’t he say that perhaps Quebec should separate?
Nothing that I would like more than to see him knocked into oblivion.
Harper, as much as I don’t care for how he changes rules in mid-game (NEB-Ebridge) can now get big points as the latest saviour of Canada.
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You took half an hour for this shameful rant?
Really?
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What’s so shameful about it?
That it’s the truth?
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What’s so shameful about it? Alex, really. It is the fawning endorsement of the most divisive PM in recent history. The man is incapable of doing anything that does not promote his wish to rule, not govern, this country. Just look at his record in garnering all the power to him vs. his cabinet and caucus. He is loved in Alberta, of course, but that insular society is just one smallish part of Canada.
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Complete and total horse shit.
Sorry, I’m not playing.
1) The most divisive Prime Minister in Canadian history was a chap named Pierre Elliot Trudeau.
2) I don’t know what your “fawning endorsements” look like, but mine don’t come with criticisms in the first quarter of one’s term about a lack of an agenda, bashings for posing with a corrupt BC Premier, critiques on backbenchers toying with social conservative issues that best be left alone, or being completely against the Enbridge pipeline. Tell me again how I’m fawning over this Prime Minister??? You don’t like Stephen HArper and that’s you’re right. But stop trying to make it up as you’re going along. Find something he’s done wrong, and then talk about it.
3) Please show me ONE example of Trudeau or Mulroney NOT consolidating power. Times have changed in politics. The consolidation of power at the top is an unfortunate necessity at times. Chretien was an exception to this. He left Martin alone in finance and was very good at allowing Manley the world’s stage when he had it.
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Sir – Let me add my voice to the others that have congratulated you for a very well crafted and eloquent column.
As an aside, I agree wholeheartedly with your commentary.
cheers
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Very well done, as usual. Hopefully the situation in Quebec will be resolved with words as eloquent, and the gunplay last night was a one-off.
Harper proved last election he doesn’t need Quebec to get a majority government. If the NDP and Liberals pander shamelessly for seats in Quebec all they’ll do is exchange seats with each other there, while pissing off the rest of Canada even further. Harper is in the driver’s seat on this one.
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Truly, Marois has set the stage to hand the Prime Minister an opportunity of a lifetime.
Notice his unusual graciousness, immediately congratulating her on her win and setting a conciliatory tone in the release from his office.
She’s already blown it. The question will be : How badly?
Finally, popcorn time for me!
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Does Harper think he can get a majority without BC
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I don’t know if PM Harper thinks that, but he certainly could. If as Alex says Harper tells Marois to pound sand in a statesman like manner coupled with Mulcair and the Libs tripping all over themselves it’s conceivable that not only would he pick up seats right there in Quebec but he might even grow his base in Ontario.
Chretien ,much as I am loathe to mention his name,did quite well without a lot of seats in Western Canada so there is room for Harper to grow.
Excellent write up Alex!
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I’ve never met a Quebecer who couldn’t see the world past themselves.
They are arrogant, portend superiority and selfish and should be traded to the U.S. for Alaska.
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Great idea, Pat! Then we could have Sarah Palin replace John Cummings!
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Excellent!
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I just threw up. Are you serious?
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No.
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Another Quebec issue .. how much tax dollars are we going to have to pay this go around? And Separtists (Bouchard and Duceppe) are now collecting a federal pension for their efforts to split up this country.
Enough Already!!!
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Amazing for Duceppe who obviously wanted seperation from Quebec that he takes advantage of federalist opportunities such as his MP’s pension, tax deductions available under the Canadian tax scheme,
and yes even pays out Canadian federal taxes. So this guy sits in a federal parliament wanting to cut the country in two.
Look for the federal Liberals to run to this issue as the only party in Canada that can save our country (they had always arrogantly said they were “Canada’s Party”.)
I’d also say look for the darling of Canadian Liberal Society, Justin Trudeau to be supported by Mark Marissen.
and
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alex, great column
quebec is like an old starlet that has faded and can no longer blackmail the studio.
mr harper has been given a gift on a platter and it is his chess game to lose.
i would hope that ms clark takes a long hard look at the quebec results.
if ms clark insist upon staying on as leader, you will see a result of only the left getting the vote out, the middle of the road liberal voters will abstain
and just like charest she will loose her own seat.
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Its easy to be a seperatist as long as you still get to use all the resources being part of Canada gets you. Take all that away and would any one really want to go it alone? I would think they should be careful with Steve, he may give them exactly what they want and it won’t be what they expect.
Rob
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Great analysis. On another matter, Christy has made a most appropriate title change for Rich Coleman – Minister of Energy, Mines and “NATURAL GAS” and Housing. She sure got the Natural Gas part right.
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Opera buffa – Primadonna del mundo! – Pauline – c’est moi!
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While I agree with some of what you’re saying here, there are a few points I’d like to make. I know that you may well understand them already, but I’m not sure your readers do.
Imagine, if you will, being forced to vote either for today’s version of Gordon Campbell, or a separatist Christy Clark (shudder). In discussions with several Quebecois friends of mine, I used the phrase “Crisse de folle” (“frickin dummy” is roughly what that means) and did NOT have to explain who I was talking about. As for Campbell, he’s not really “corrupt” enough to qualify by Quebec standards – his record would be pretty much business as usual there.
Although you may not agree with Layton’s actions, your characterisation of him as “Quebec’s whore” misses the mark, in my view, since Layton was essentially a native Quebecer.
Quebec standards and values are NOT identical to those of other Canadians, in particular, those of English Canadians. What other Canadians view as “outrageous demands”, they view as a negociating position. They EXPECT you to say no, possibly even be annoyed. For me, that’s what Trudeau and Mulroney had in common in that regard – they both understood this.
I also think that the commonly heard view that Harper has “moved the needle” shows a lack of understanding of Ontario. At the rate he’s going, I don’t think he’ll keep Ontario. I think the NDP will keep Quebec.
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(1) My readers are the most astute on the internet in my corner of the blogosphere. Your comment about them appears condescending.
(2) I haven’t the first clue why you raised Campbell. It’s a bad example that seems forced.
(3) My characterization of Jack Layton was entirely appropriate and completely accurate. That he is “essentially” a son of Quebec is meaningless. My characterization is that he promised Quebec everything well-beyond what is even remotely possible. It is profoundly irrelevant where he’s from. He was a whore as a result of his performance in the last election.
(4) Who said Quebec values are or aren’t Canadian values? That’s hardly relevant. The problem is that their outrageous demands have surpassed our collective patience. THAT WAS MY BLOODY POINT.
(5) NO! WHAT MULRONEY AND TRUDEAU HAD IN COMMON IS THAT THEY BOTH RECOGNIZED QUEBEC’S INTERMINABLE BULLSHIT AND TRIED TO SATISFY THEM BY CONFLICTING METHODS. You missed it.
(6) That YOU doubt understand the significance of Harper’s moving the political needle to the middle, has fundamentally altered the political landscape, really defines how YOU don’t understand the national dynamic which proves THE OPPOSITE about Ontario–contrary to your confusion. Ontario will not put up with Maris asking for more when McGuinty–thanks to his own failed policies, will need Harper more than anyone. You demonstrate a fundamental lack of knowledge of how the east works. Quebec US irrelevant. Ontario will stay susubstantially blue for precisely the opposite of what you claim.
I found your comment confusing as much as confused.
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@Some Other Bob
All I get from your post is excuses for Quebec’s poor behaviour.
It is a privilege to live in this country. While I would prefer it (Canada) be whole (which includes Quebec), I think the majority of Canadians are sick and tired of their demands.
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With the lack of any good alternative, voters marked their ballot for the PQ. They know that if that pesky separatist issue does raise it’s ugly head, then they can vote it down then. The number of separatists within the PQ is not big enough to carry it anywhere and the media is blowing it out of proportion.
This vote was not a commitment to separation, it was like many elections, about voting the bastards out.
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At some point, and I think that point has come, the rest of Canada will just say “Pull the trigger”.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/wsmonty/3634918376/
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Another great day for Rich Coleman! Now Deputy Premier and he gets to keep the Housing portfolio so he can do more favors for his developer friends until election day, that day of reckoning.
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Yes, and all the members of caucus that were lobbied by Excel are now members of Treasury Board.
Coincidental, I’m sure.
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And just when I thought that the Liberal party couldn’t sink any lower. It’s actually quite amusing to see the “cabinet” she cobbled together. Couldn’t these dim bulbs aee that they are chaining themselves to the bridge while the more astute MLA’s are pouring into the life rafts?
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Alex where is the blog on this latest catastrophe?(it remionds me of watching the pemiere of Ashton Kucher on 2 1/2 men just to see how badly he’d butcher it).
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I have just returned from a two month trip across Canada, and visited Quebec for a time as well. I found the people to be (for the most part) warm and friendly, and more than willing to tolerate and help my poor French skills. Most spoke enough English that we managed to communicate amicably in both languages.
What did strike me is the HUGE amount of Federal money being poured into Quebec in the form of infrastructure improvements. There was not one road we drove in quebec that was not being rebuilt or expanded, not one!
Ontario fared slightly poorer but not by much. Upon return to BC, we found one bridge being pressure washed by one person.
Quebec politicians have always looked at Canada as their own private piggy bank. When payments get thin, and the money is too tight to pay for the awesome amount of corruption that is decades old, they trot out the old “We are going to leave” scenario and Ottawa leaps to fill their coffers once more.
Perhaps it is time for Canada to tell them they cannot quit, they are fired. If they want to join this vibrant nation, welcome aboard, if not, bugger off with only the clothes on their backs. It is rather like pushing your children gently into the world. I, for one, have had it up to here with blackmail, and toadying federal politicians.
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The Feds have always treated the West like the youngest child in a family, always giving us hand me downs. Time to breeak free of the Feds altogether and go it alone. **ck them and their thieivng 24 to 1 pensions.
We’d be way farther ahead than pissing money into the East. Let’s keep it and use it for ourselves, money better spent I say.
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If Canada is divisible as Quebec seems to think then so is Quebec. Rupert Land and the native folks that inhabit it can opt for Canada.
We have had enough referenda – period. Time for the Government to set the rules and stick to them. Canada doesn’t need Quebec voting for separation, real or pretend every twenty years. Enough already.
Burgess
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Beautifully put. Its as simple as that.
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Yes, a Republique de Quebec would have the boundaries of “lower Canada” when it came into Canada in the first place.
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Absolutely. Of no consequence whatsoever.
They’ve become a joke. Self-made!!!
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While I do not agree with much of Quebec’s methods or demands, I do admire the political vigor of its citizens. There is far to much apathy towards politics across Canada and here in BC.
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Alex,
How dare you submit something as foul and preposterous as naming Quebec as a spoilt child?
Have you ever been more correct and to the point, sir?
Quebec is worse than you say:)
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Alex. Did you catch the “We,I” slip of the tongue by Miss Christy about the assembling of her New Crew on the news hour?
Who is We?
Just kidding, We all know who We is.
Mr white.
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A more interesting poll/referendum question might be for the “rest of Canada”:
Do you want to see Quebec removed from confederation?
I have little doubt that a majority of Canadians outside of Quebec are growing tired of the angry, petty, xenophobic behaviour of the Pequistes. It is only slightly ironic that Marois would have a better opportunity gaining the indepedence she covets, by asking not her own constituents, but all those who aren’t.
There does seem to be some fundamental shift in English Canada’s viewpoint on this seemingly endless dispute. There is far less willingness to appease the separatists demands. And little wonder, we have seen throughout global history just how ineffective appeasement can be.
However, we need to be at least somewhat wary of this line of thinking. Canada would be irreparably harmed by the departure of Quebec. Yes the federal government does send a lot of money to Quebec, but the math just isn’t that simple. Quebec would certainly struggle economically after separation, but there is no doubt that other regions of country would also struggle.With so much that would be up in the air — Atlantic Canada could be in big trouble too. It may not be an exact parallel, but the separation of Pakistan did not work out so well, with Bangladesh becoming a virtual failed state.
In short Canada’s magnificent history and culture is strengthened by the continued presence of a vibrant Quebec. While I don’t what it might be at this moment, I am hopeful that some kind of reasonable accommodation can be made that will end the argument.
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An excellent comment, as usual.
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for some in Quebec there can never be enough “accomodation”. However, I don’t see quebec packing up & leaving any time soon. They first would have to have a vote & at that time, it may well not go in their favour. Although the P.Q. received the most seats of any party, they don’t have a majority. So first they may have a problem in their legislature. Then when it would come to a vote by the people, many would not vote to leave canada. Many people who immigrated from other parts of the world, immigrated to Canada. They live in quebec but the came to Canada. Many of those people would vote to stay in Canada. They don’t want to be part of a country which might ban their religious symbols, etc.
Then there is the First Nations. They may well not want to leave Canada even if Quebec voted to leave. Given the expanse of land they own &/or claim it may not be all that difficult to get from Ontario to the Maritines.
I personally don’t think the new premier of Quebec will last that long.
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Christy’s new cabinet – now that’s progress!
Dinosaur rides anyone?!
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“All the members of caucus that were lobbied by Excel are now on Treasury Board.” It is so sickening. Is there nothing that can be done to halt this LDB theft? And WHERE ARE YOU on this Dix?
Christy has been criticized for failing as a leader. Where are you leadership moves Adrian?
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What are you doing Hansen?
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And pardon my skepticism (well-founded these days I think) but which questions will Plant NOT ask on Enbridge?
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And, sorry to go off topic with Plant but let’s just put the brakes on here for a sec.
Clark announces his appointment as BC’s chief legal strategist in the cross-examination of Enbridge just today, and today he is already on a plane going to the NEB hearings in Edmonton. Must be a quick study.
Also, is Plant going to be attending the hearings in Prince George and Rupert, or only the session in Edmonton where he won’t face the scrutiny of the BC media?
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This is a post about Quebec. I will be posting on BC politics later this afternoon. Please refrain from posting anything else about BC matters on this thread. You’ll have plenty of opportunity to do so later today. Not that your observations aren’t sound and accurate.
Thank you.
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As with many Westerners, I am fed up with Quebec as a spoilt child getting the infrastructure as mentioned above. I have worked on federal and provincial joint committees in Ottawa. The focus of Ottawa is on the East, even with a Western based government. But the federal beneficence is also focused in Ontario with the endless handouts to the auto and aircraft and manufacturing industry. There was a time when we were begging for an additional $50 million for the Canada Line and the feds gave $500 million to two auto and one aircraft engine factories yet saw no problem there. Politics is obviously involved but we do not demand enough either in Canada’s third largest province or in the West.
80 percent of VIA RAIL services are in Quebec and Ontario-with Ontario even having a Via Rail commuter rail pass-30 passenger trains a day between Montreal and Toronto. Contrast -we pay for public transportation yet get virtually nothing. There are no daily passenger trains in all of the West-none- Vancouver-Chilliwack, Edmonton -Calgary, Regina-Winnipeg etc. Not one Army base in BC since the Engineers were moved out, BC being the site of the next Big One but there are 13 military bases alone in Ontario and Quebec..No fighter jets stationed in BC-so we get Portland, Oregon F-16s checking out the Japanese fishing boat recently off Haida Qwaii, or American F-16s over Vancouver checking Chinese airliners on Sept.11, 2001…Should we be paying our taxes for defence to the Americans?
We have the longest coast line of any province yet we suffered the loss of four emergency response offices (to one) vs five (from 10) remaining in the Maritimes.The oil spill contact office moved to Quebec. Ottawa tried to move Pacific Command to Halifax-guess they never heard of China and the rising east. Maybe they need more Navy frigates on the East Coast to protect against European economic refugees?
And then, of course, the Kits Coast Guard station and the Enbridge pipe line “radicals”…..Maybe it is a question of who should separate?
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Pardonez moi, AGT.
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De rien. Merci.
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I have been accross Canada a number of times as a young soldier and more recently as a retired civilian. The thing I am most proud of is that what ever province I was in I felt completely at home. If there were no politicians I think Canada would get along with oneanother a whole lot better.
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Bless you for your service to this country, Bob.
A most grateful Canadian…
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Sorry Chancellor. I have had over 60 years of whining from Quebec and I am sick of it. I would quite cheerfully see Quebec separate and without any ties to Canada. They can use their own currency etc. See how fast the whole province goes downhill. Anglos/business etc will leave in droves like they have in times past. They can sit in Quebec City and wave their flag for the tens that will be left. We have been blackmailed for
decades by these people. Wasn’t it Churchill who said with regard to Canada and Quebec that never in world history had a conquering country treated the conquered with such kindness and respect?
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While we are on the subject of spoiled petulant women, (as opposed to an even greater number of men), I must confess to having burst into loud laughter on reading that Patricia Graham (she of the Sun and the Province) had won the Bruce Hutchinson award for journalism. This would be the life-long radical feminist editor who for years censored, or at best, edited to death, any opinions that she did not concur with, especially as they regarded her perception of women’s rights. (not that many, or even most women agreed with her.) On at least 2 occasions she threatened me with legal action (I believe for uttering threats) in letters I had submitted. The latter one, as I recall, concerned a letter I had sent re: a column by Pete McMartin wherein he had stated that when people begin to state their religious perspective on any matter, that he was likely to turn around and wander off with his drink in hand. I wrote to tell him if he ever saw me approaching a group discussion on various matters, he might want to take his drink and walk away.
This elicited a threat from his editor, Graham, that she may be bringing charges against me. I dared her to – she didn’t. I wrote to Mr. Martin later saying I had visions of him hiding in the billowing skirts of Ms Graham, but realized it was all fantasy, given that I suspect pant suits make up the greater part of her wardrobe. The whole idea of this woman winning an award for journalism gave me to think it as suitable as Sue Johanson and Henry Morgentaler being named Companions of the Order of Canada, or even of Louise Arbour, or Boutras Boutras Ghali, or Leonard Cohen. Perhaps similar to Al Gore and Barak Obama winning Nobels. But in fact, it would be compared, more realistically, but far less seriously, to Walter Duranty winning the Pulitzer Prize for his take on the starvation of millions in the Ukraine under Joseph Stalin. The New York Times still stands behind this travesty.
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That she’s receiving any award fro that foundation only serves to demonstrate the irrelevancy of the Websters and how the name of a great journalist is being sullied repeatedly.
Mind, Arafat won a Nobel as well. Perhaps Obama will nominate Ahmadinejhad.
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As far as language and the culture being endangered….one only has to look at the south eastern United States, Louisiana to be precise.
Now look north to Quebec and tell me who’s language and culture is endangered again?
Culture and language are not really the issues here, it’s power and money.
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Precisely. And for that reason, and that reason alone, we should reject their demands. Enough is quite enough!
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This is not meant to piss anyone off but does anyone have an idea of just how much it costs provinces to display the french language on our literature and goods? The amount of french speaking people being serviced and not really needing it seems to be a waste of time and money.
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Any amount is too much!!! Outside Quebec, it’s contemptibly ridiculous. They should have banned it long ago.
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Hi Alex:
I ran across this comment a few days ago on line that was posted by a born & raised in Quebec person – I think he/she represents the vast majority of sensible decent francophones.
Here is his/her comment for your consideration:
“Quebec Elections
Born and raised in Quebec. Moved in Vancouver because of the political climate in Quebec. It is very hard to live it every day although I am a francophone. So I feel exactly the same way you do and agree 100% with what you say.
I wish politicians would stop threatening to separate. But it will never happen, because as long as there are politicians with a taste for power and control, there will be some idiots pushing this ludicrous idea.
The people in Quebec do not want to separate, and have said it many times with the results of past referendum, but these hot heads won’t take NO for an answer and keep on coming back.
We don’t want to separate and we don’t want to impose the French language on the rest of the country. Most of us, Quebecois, speak English and quite frankly don’t care if products on the shelf are in French or English or call it a truck instead of a camion!
It is, as usual, the loud mouths and radicals that are making a lot of noise and getting heard over and above the general population. I don’t know if you realise how brainwashed we are in Quebec. The news and media only talk about bad things done to Quebec from the rest of the country, but never about the good things.
The PQ got in because there was no other way to get rid of the Liberals, and Quebecois really wanted to get rid of this corrupted Party. It was the least of two evils, but hopefully, with a minority government, it will insure that this stupid idea of a referendum will not even happen because most Quebecois want to stay in with the rest of Canada.
My mother, who is 91 and still lives in Quebec, wept when she heard that the PQ had won… that should tell you something!”
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Wouldn’t it be great if Marois got her referendum vote and they let us vote too!
Kapow! There you go you whiny little brats, you’re outa here! And no more Quebec butter labeled as Fraser Valley butter either!
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I don’t like either the PQ or Harper, a little tired of divisive politics, are we not all supposed to be Canadians? Never trusted Harper for a number of reasons, even less after the Pipeline support and Bill c-38 mostly because of the part allowing U.S. agents to arrest Canadians in Canada and the hypocrisy around foreign funding for environmental groups while its ok for groups supporting the Pipeline.
Harper is in my opinion the classic neo conservative Christian idealogue. The PQ are just another kind of fanatic fighting for what they believe and everyone else is wrong, it’s the fault of the English speaking Canadian and Harper is blaming the opposition parties and social programs meanwhile kids are going hungry schools are under funded seniors are struggling to survive and an Oil Company is getting 900 million taxpayer dollars from Harper, this Companies gross income is almost 10 Billion a week but Harper thinks they deserve this money more then the poor in his own Country. Didn’t he raid the EI fund to pay down the debt
I got the info about Shell from Norman Farrell’s blog.
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This comment doesn’t have ONE fact correct.
I cannot even begin to reply to such hateful, ridiculous and lavish propaganda.
I cannot dignify such bilge with a specific reply. Honestly…get your facts straight and then come back.
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Completely agree with you Alex.
I am from quebec, and cannot stand our new prime, prime, prime, prime … minester.
Now she wants the rich to become poorer.. so that we will all be poorer..
Watch out we could end up like in greece.
After all, she like to go manifest in the street, even though those guy put fire on police cars, and beat poor innocent guy.
Only less than a 1/3 voted for her, and yet she moves things like if it was 2/3 who voted for her.
I’ll tell you, Marois is crazy.
In french we say : C’est une crisse de folle.
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