This morning Quebec federalists – and indeed federalists in the rest of Canada – are breathing easier. For the first time since Taschereau 1920’s a federalist leader has led his party to three straight election wins. It is an historic achievement and means that the government of Quebec will be in federalist hands for another four years.
Some observers expected that Charest would win an even larger majority. We know why he didn’t. In the last 48 hours, the savage attacks by Stephen Harper on a legal party in Quebec – and on Quebecers themselves – drove thousands of voters into the arms of the separatist party.
It was not a good night for Harper. His Quebec buddy, Mario Dumont, led his party to an ignominious defeat and announced he would resign. And as I said above Harper’s malicious comments cut into the size of Charest’s majority..
Speaking of Charest and Harper, there is a rumour going around that when the Conservative brain trust gets rid of Harper (as they will), Jean Charest will move to Ottawa to replace him as Tory chief. Remember you heard it here first.
Charest against Ignatieff. What a spectacle that would be.
Charest got his majority. (And it may grow larger if upwards of five ADQ members cross the floor and join the Liberals.)
Do you think that’s a good thing?
Neil, you are right about the PQ leaning backlash the recent Harper pronouncements have caused. Each time someone in the ROC starts bashing things Québec there is a surge in nationalistic feelings. I’ve always said that the best allies the sovereignists have are Québec bashers in the ROC. The higher they are the more impact they have on the sovereignists emotions. Let’s not fool ourselves under a veneer of rationalisation the PQ is almost 99% emotions.
As for ADQ members crossing the floor to the Liberal side, well remember that of the 7 elected last night, 3 or 4 are more likely to move to the PQ should the ADQ disband eventually. Dumont, Caire and another one whose name I forget were on the Yes side in 2 referenda.
Amir Khadir, from Québec solidaire, is also from a sovereignist party albeit to the left of the PQ. The green vote is also separatist tainted.
So, last night Harper was instrumental in creating a separatist surge. Had all the true blue ones and the leaning to been united in one party, this morning we would have a sovereignist majority government.
Sobering thought for the Maple Leaf wavers and a warning shot for the likes of our dear Harper.
I agree Neil, it would be easy for Charest to leave Quebec after turning over a majority government to someone else.
Charest would be the Liberals worst nightmare and secure a majority at the next election for the Conservatives, by capturing Quebec.
Harper on the other hand would still have life. He could form a western seperatist party to promote the interests of the West.
I’m all for representation for everyone.
Given the current orientation of the Reform party in Ottawa, I’m not sure Charest would be suicidal enough to run for its leadership. As a Quebecer he would be soundly trounced by the western militants and it would be a great boost for the Bloc and the PQ. Charest has a nationalist streak in him and he sees his immediate future in Québec. He is, for the moment the guy who can steer Québec close enough to the ROC yet not so near as to beach the province and the PLQ.
Will be away for the next 24 hours, off to a meeting of my old coworkers in the Laurentians. Behave yourselves now.
I think the demise of the ADQ is bad. They were becoming a viable third option. Instead, more of the same for Quebec. Not good.
Good morrow, all!
Interesting. No matter what party (Liberals, PQ, Union Nationale) forms the government in Quebec, they all turn to Ottawa with the same body language: mouths open and hands out. “Pay us or we’ll run away from home.” They are Quebecois premier and Canadians…alors, ze loonie and passport are such evil necessities, n’est-ce pas?
As for Charest: Immediately following the 1993 federal election (you can look it up, you know), some tourists spotted Jean Charest walking about Parliament Hill. Distressed, they called a policeman over. “That man is talking to himself!” they tittered. The policeman, seeing who it was, sighed and told them, “No, folks, he’s not not talking to himself. That’s Jean Charest. He’s holding a caucus meeting.” (and seriously, could we get the guy a decent barber?)
What I find REALLY interesting is that Charest labels himself a Liberal on the provincial level, and a Tory on the federal level. That gives such sincere, genuine meaning to the party names.
Some people believe that even if Charest were to become PM, it might be too little, too late. In astrophysical terms, it called,”slipping over the event horizon.” When you’re circling the drain, the last thing you wanna do is call Roto-Rooter. Or so I would digress…CTZen
“Interesting. No matter what party (Liberals, PQ, Union Nationale) forms the government in Quebec, they all turn to Ottawa with the same body language: mouths open and hands out. “Pay us or we’ll run away from home.”
Quoted for truth.
Good morrow, exposrip!
What would happen if a PM developed the stones to tell Quebec, “Fine. Need help packing?” Mind you, that same week, the NHL would get a franchise bid from some dude with a pitchfork and pointed tail.
Quebec may have the resources to become politically independent, but it will not have the recognition it seeks. By the time the borders and property allocation are all settled, the great-grandchildren of the separatistes will be wondering: We wanted to leave Canada, why?
Not only that, chances arte, all Anglos will pull up stakes and head out. That leaves just the Indians. And they have guns. Oops. CTZen