Bloc sets its price for support of speech from throne

[OddSox]

http://www.canada.com/ottawacitizen/news/s...14-cbd0e5332700

"The Conservatives got the majority in Canada, but the Bloc Québécois got the majority in Quebec. Stephen Harper should therefore respect the democratic choice of Quebecers by showing openness, making compromises and respecting the values and interests of Quebec."

I wonder if perhaps the Bloc is a bigger enemy to the PCs than the Liberals?

[cybercoma]

The Bloc is a threat to Canada period. Their dualist view of this nation--Quebec not a single province out of 10, but an equal against the others combined--is an undertone that acts as a constant threat to the unity of this country. Whether as a matter of consequence or by design, this constant looming rift has benefited Quebec greatly. Not only have they circumvented federal laws, but they also benefit from politicians trying to woo the vote or avert disaster. Quebec has held this country hostage since long before the Bloc was ever a party. Today its a lot easier for Quebec to have its ransom heard with 49 seats in parliament. This is not a problem that is uniquely faced by the Conservatives.

Edited November 15, 2008 by cybercoma

[August1991]

"The Conservatives got the majority in Canada, but the Bloc Québécois got the majority in Quebec. Stephen Harper should therefore respect the democratic choice of Quebecers by showing openness, making compromises and respecting the values and interests of Quebec."

The Bloc received 38% of the Quebec vote. Let me state this more correctly. Among people in Quebec eligible to vote who bothered to vote, the BQ received 38% support. This is far lower than previous elections and far from a "majority".

[OddSox]

The Bloc received 38% of the Quebec vote. Let me state this more correctly. Among people in Quebec eligible to vote who bothered to vote, the BQ received 38% support. This is far lower than previous elections and far from a "majority".

This may be true, but the fact remains that the Bloc has a significant amount of power in this minority government - at least until we get some sort of indication of which way the Liberals will jump. (edit: or if they will jump at all. )

Edited November 15, 2008 by OddSox

[noahbody]

Quebec is receiving $8 Billion through equalization. If the people of Quebec want arts, they can afford plenty.

[OddSox]

Quebec is receiving $8 Billion through equalization. If the people of Quebec want arts, they can afford plenty.

Heh - true! The 'arts cut' was a measly amount which I think the PCs even reconsidered before the vote - but Gilles is still trying to make mileage out of it...

[August1991]

This may be true, but the fact remains that the Bloc has a significant amount of power in this minority government - at least until we get some sort of indication of which way the Liberals will jump.

LOL.

IOW, in all of this, Quebec and the BQ are irrelevant, and Harper can do what he wants until the federal Liberals choose a leader. Then, Harper can't.

I'll admit however that once the federal Liberals choose Ignatieff, Quebec and French Canada will matter. Harper is history.

[OddSox]

I'll admit however that once the federal Liberals choose Ignatieff, Quebec and French Canada will matter. Harper is history.

I dunno about that. The Ignatieff fellow looks a little scary, with those bushy eyebrows. I'm pretty sure he's carrying a secret hidden agenda from when he lived down south. (if you know what I mean)

[August1991]

I dunno about that. The Ignatieff fellow looks a little scary, with those bushy eyebrows. I'm pretty sure he's carrying a secret hidden agenda from when he lived down south. (if you know what I mean)

IOW, unless Harper wakes up and smells the roses, he's history.

Based on the past federal election and his inability to win a majority and win seats in Quebec, Harper (like Dion and Martin) will be a footnote in Canadian history.

[Argus]

IOW, unless Harper wakes up and smells the roses, he's history.

Based on the past federal election and his inability to win a majority and win seats in Quebec, Harper (like Dion and Martin) will be a footnote in Canadian history.

Why? Ignatieff is unlikely to cut deeply into Harper's bedrock support among conservatives. He won't win much more in Quebec than Dion did because Quebecers, a very provincial, suspicious, and inbred folk, hate voting for parties headed by Anglos - who they despise. I see nothing in his stance which is more likely to attract votes from Quebecers than Harper did - except that, like most Liberals, Ignatieff doesn't appear to have any principals to speak of, and will shift his proposals and policies based entirely on polling numbers. So he will probably be more willing than Harper to offer up policies which will please Quebecers.

The problem with that is the same proposals will anger westerners and people in suburban Ontario and elsewhere in TROC. It's the same problem Harper faced. His tough on crime proposals play very well throughout Canada outside Quebec. So if Ignatieff wants to get soft on crime that will play well in Quebec, but nowhere else. He might squeak through with a minority, but he won't get a majority. No anglo will, because Quebecers, who are, lets face it, as bigotted a folk as you'll find on this continent, will deny their votes to anyone not French as long as there remains a French alternative.

And in their hearts Quebecers won't like either man anyway because they're deux maudit anglais.

[cybercoma]

Quebeckers are inbred and Liberals have no principals?

[Argus]

Quebeckers are inbred and Liberals have no principals.

I fixed the punctuation for ya.