Why does the Bloc get a say in anything?

[jdobbin]

They are traitors for Gods sake!! they are separatists...

So your solution is?

[wulf42]

Why don't you read history dullard. I see you are in Nova Scotia which was once Acadia of Nouvelle France. The British deported the Acadians.

http://www.cbc.ca/news/background/acadians/

Canada has an electoral system. Each area has its demographics. If the demographics support the block because they distrust the other parties to screw with Quebec, oh well. Quebec has 25% of Canada's population and Canada is supposedly a democracy. Like it or not that is democracy at work. May I suggest you relocate to somewhere like Cuba where your gripes won't be of concern.

Oh yeah your an Idiot! The Bloc doesn't speak for all of Quebec...i said nothing of the Province of Quebec i am talking about the Bloc party!

[wulf42]

So your solution is?

Run the Bloc out of Canadian politics pure and simple! whats next we let Hamas tell us who should run the country??

[Smallc]

Run the Bloc out of Canadian politics pure and simple! whats next we let Hamas tell us who should run the country??

Fundamental freedoms

2. Everyone has the following fundamental freedoms:

a) freedom of conscience and religion;

B ) freedom of thought, belief, opinion and expression, including freedom of the press and other media of communication;

c) freedom of peaceful assembly; and

d) freedom of association.

Democratic rights of citizens

3. Every citizen of Canada has the right to vote in an election of members of the House of Commons or of a legislative assembly and to be qualified for membership therein.

Edited November 30, 2008 by Smallc

[Topaz]

Since the Bloc holds all the cards in Canadian politics, I wondering if Harper working on a plan to some how kick the Bloc out of government. How??? Perhaps force them to take allegiance to the Queen.

[Smallc]

Since the Bloc holds all the cards in Canadian politics, I wondering if Harper working on a plan to some how kick the Bloc out of government. How??? Perhaps force them to take allegiance to the Queen.

Didn't they already have to do that to become mps?

[Leafless]

The Bloc doesn't speak for all of Quebec...i said nothing of the Province of Quebec i am talking about the Bloc party!

Over the years the Bloc obtained approx. 42% of popular Quebec vote along with approx. 48 of Quebecs 75 seats.

Not bad for a regional federal separatist party.

Election # of candidates nominated # of seats won # of total votes % of popular vote (Canada) % of popular vote (Quebec)

1993 75 54 1,835,784 13.5% 49.3%

1997 75 44 1,385,821 10.7% 37.9%

2000 75 38 1,377,727 10.7% 39.9%

2004 75 54 1,680,109 12.4% 48.9%

2006 75 51 1,553,201 10.5% 42.1%

2008 75 49 1,379,628 10.0% 38.1%

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bloc_Qu%C3%A9b%C3%A9cois

[reasonoverpassion]

The reason the Bloc get a say in anything is that they were elected--pure and simple.

I can't say I like it, but there it is.

There are plenty of people around who have been elected to parliaments from parties that advocate the break up of other countries.

(1) SNP (Scottish National Party) Currently adovocating the break up the UK and the establishment of an indpendent Scotland. Has members in the UK partliament, members for the European Parliament representing the UK and currently a minority government in the Scottish parliament.

(2)Plaid Cymru (Welsh National Party) Also advocating the break of the UK. Advocates the establishment of a free Wales. Junior partner in a coalition goverment with the Welsh National Party has members in the UK partliament, members for the European Parliament representing the UK.

(3) Bavaria Party Advocates the break up of the German State and an indpendent Bavaria. Hold seats in the Bavarian state parliament.

(4) Esquerra Republicana de Catalunya, ERC Advovates the breakup of Spain and an independent Catalonia. Currently holding seats in the Spanish parliament and European parliament seat representing Spain.

Canada is not unique in this regard. The answer is fight these movements democratically. My impression is that Quebecios separtists are slowly losing the fight. Thanks to Brian Mulroney were stuck with them in the Federal Parliament for now.

[whowhere]

Since the Bloc holds all the cards in Canadian politics, I wondering if Harper working on a plan to some how kick the Bloc out of government. How??? Perhaps force them to take allegiance to the Queen.

Harper can't make anyone do crap. The PM is not mentioned in the BNA or the 1982 constitution. The Prime Minister exists out of convention not because enshrined constitutional entitlement. I am not sure how the bloc holds the cards, they are focused on the interests of Quebec. Because the bloc keeps getting the seats most people in Quebec appear to believe in and trust the bloc to be the guardians of their interests.

[reasonoverpassion]

I think all members of parliament have already taken the oath of alligience ot the Queen anyway. It means nothing and its not incomptible with separatism.

Jacques Parizeau has mused publicly on whether an independent Québéc would retain the Queen. He has publicly stated he has a special affection for the monarchy.

BQ actually voted to keep the Queen in the citizenship oath in 2000.

[tamtam10]

You raise a very good point. There should be no way the Bloc could help the other opposition party's form a coalition.

[johhny]

You raise a very good point. There should be no way the Bloc could help the other opposition party's form a coalition.

why not? it was valid when they stood behind the tories

[fellowtraveller]

why not? it was valid when they stood behind the tories

Dates and times that the Bloc has formed a coalation with other parties?

Count: zero. Until now.

Times that the Bloc has voted with the Liberals? Numerous.

With the Tories?: a few

[fellowtraveller]

You raise a very good point. There should be no way the Bloc could help the other opposition party's form a coalition.

Help?

They have been invited to hold the balance of power. Invited

[Pat Coghlan]

Don't be frightened no one is comming for you. We may have stumbled upon something important here...If they (the Block) wants to be a seperate nation - grant them that immediately and then they will shut up...or present the fact that they are not a Canadian entity and can pariticpate in Parlimentary rule as simple observers.

There may be a silver lining here. The 2nd thing that came out of Duceppe's mouth was a desire for *federal* workers in Quebec to speak French only. The flip-side of that change is to allow federal workers in the ROC to speak only English. Good-bye to all those billions of dollars spent on language training every year.

Sign me up.

[Oleg Bach]

There may be a silver lining here. The 2nd thing that came out of Duceppe's mouth was a desire for *federal* workers in Quebec to speak French only. The flip-side of that change is to allow federal workers in the ROC to speak only English. Good-bye to all those billions of dollars spent on language training every year.

Sign me up.

You don't get family perks by not being part of the family...strangers are excluded. Now if the block as a female enity wants to marry into the family she had better bring a dowery...like I said - you are either fully part of the nation or you are not - even with one spark of seperation in the eye of the Block signify that they are NOT allowed in....Like the terrorist - who renouce terrorism ...are given a pardon - at this point the Blocks is not ready to renouce terrorism and will operate within they government as a negative force - I say Block the Block - I have had enough of these self serving rebel who want to turn Quebec into their private kingdom with rich french corporates ruling the estate like Barons.

[fellowtraveller]

The thing about the Bloc is, we can't pretend they aren't there and we can't ignore them. I said, its best to work with them....that goes for all parties.

You agree that we should work with the Bloc in reaching their reason for existence: the creation of a sovereign Quebec?

[ThatGuy]

You agree that we should work with the Bloc in reaching their reason for existence: the creation of a sovereign Quebec?

Harper wanted to work with them in 2004 to form a Coalition of the willing.

[dpwozney]

They are traitors for Gods sake!! they are separatists ...

Did they not state their allegiance to Elizabeth the Second before taking their seats in the House of Commons?

[capricorn]

Did they not state their allegiance to Elizabeth the Second before taking their seats in the House of Commons?

Either that or no MP pay, no perks, no pension. Easy decision for Bloc MPs to make. Maybe when they mouthed the words they pretended they were shopping.

[Smallc]

You agree that we should work with the Bloc in reaching their reason for existence: the creation of a sovereign Quebec?

Yes, that's exactly what I want. I as a flag waving patriot would simply love that.

That was sarcasm BTW.

[ThatGuy]

Yes, that's exactly what I want. I as a flag waving patriot would simply love that.

That was sarcasm BTW.

What is the difference between the Bloq keeing Harper in power and the Bloq keeping the Liberals in power?

If the Liberals and NDP wanted a coalition and the Bloq didn't, they would be supporting the Tories right. They actually have elected representatives. The problem is that they are allowed to do so, not that they have them now. Since they are there, they have to pick a side.

In 2004, Harper wanted them on his.

[Smallc]

What is the difference between the Bloq keeing Harper in power and the Bloq keeping the Liberals in power?

If the Liberals and NDP wanted a coalition and the Bloq didn't, they would be supporting the Tories right. They actually have elected representatives. The problem is that they are allowed to do so, not that they have them now. Since they are there, they have to pick a side.

In 2004, Harper wanted them on his.

I have no problem with anyone working with the Bloc....as long as it doesn't result in the break up of this country.

[ThatGuy]

I have no problem with anyone working with the Bloc....as long as it doesn't result in the break up of this country.

I can't see how this will result in the breakup of the country.

I figured that Alberta might want a little bit of a chance since the price of oil is falling fast.

[Smallc]

I can't see how this will result in the breakup of the country.

I figured that Alberta might want a little bit of a chance since the price of oil is falling fast.

I don't think that it will result in a breakup. I was responding to allegations that that is what I wanted.