National Representation

[tml12]

This might be a rather awkward post but I have been wondering for awhile...is national representation all its cracked up to be?

Since the Bloc's formation in 1990 after successive Mulrooney's debacles, the Liberal Party has campaigned that, aside from being the Natural Governing Party, they are the only party who can TRULY govern a national Canada because they have always had MPs from every province.

Here in Quebec, one of the big strategies the Liberals seem to be throwing out now is that if the Conservatives win without seats in Quebec, sovereignty will be able to be used more effectively by the Bloc (Quebec would not be represented in the Government of Canada).

But with Kilgour's dumping the Party and Landslide Annie poised to lose, couldn't the Conservatives use that argument for Canada's other agitated province?

Or is this all crazy? Do you think national representation is all it is cracked up to be?

[Leafless]

tml12

You wrote- " Do you think national representation is all it is cracked up to be."

I think national representation as always been a part of federalism but with the case of Quebec national representation has been tilted to include as heavy emphasis on regional representation meaning Quebec nationalism.

Obviously this conditon has created animosity in the rest of the country with Quebec seen as getting to much and pulling the strings.

The Liberals have been the only successful federal national party to infiltrate Quebec politics but with a heavy price including providing a Liberal Quebec Wing and paving the way with federal offerings to such a degree in my opinion that it has destroyed the concept of Canadian nationalism.

So I would say no, national representation is not what it is cracked up to be and the name of the game to some federal parties is 'votes at any cost' which I think has destroyed the federalistic fibre of Canada.

[August1991]

Or is this all crazy?  Do you think national representation is all it is cracked up to be?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

We've almost got now what you propose.

But I think this is in part due to the BQ and the desire of the federal Liberal Party to maintain power by presenting itself to Ontario as a "national" party.

How about this idea: if we took Quebec out of this federal election, how would the rest of Canada vote? Would the Liberal Party even exist? Would "Canadians" vote along regional lines, along urban/rural lines or along ideological lines?

One thing is certain: many more people could be successfully involved in federal politics. There would no longer be this absurd bilingual criteria. John Crosbie would have been a very good PM but he was excluded solely because he couldn't speak French.

----

The Liberals have been the only successful federal national party to infiltrate Quebec politics but with a heavy price including providing a Liberal Quebec Wing and paving the way with federal offerings to such a degree in my opinion that it has destroyed the concept of Canadian nationalism.

Infilitrate? You'll be interested to know that Jean Charest has said he will not be involved in this federal election and he has remained silent on who he will vote for - other than saying that he will not vote for the Bloc.

[CoachCartman]

Just so you know, there are more "agitated" provinces. Here in Saskatchewan, we came one seat away from kicking the Liberals out. We did manage to get rid of the NDP......(I hope that doesn't sound to much like Gille)

[tml12]

Just so you know, there are more "agitated" provinces. Here in Saskatchewan, we came  one seat away from kicking the Liberals out. We did manage to get rid of the NDP......(I hope that doesn't sound to much like Gille) 

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Great Posts Guys:

Leafless Wrote--"I think national representation as always been a part of federalism but with the case of Quebec national representation has been tilted to include as heavy emphasis on regional representation meaning Quebec nationalism."

You may be right...I can look at it best from a Quebec point of view. But it seems the Liberals have done a good job with it. I would actually like to see a Conservative MP from. There were some ridings where the Conservatives came in second near Quebec City.

August Wrote--"How about this idea: if we took Quebec out of this federal election, how would the rest of Canada vote? Would the Liberal Party even exist? Would "Canadians" vote along regional lines, along urban/rural lines or along ideological lines?"

Without Quebec, there would probably be much more close elections and more diverse political backgrounds. French would still be important because there are French communities in other provinces. I still think ideological lines would be important. As for Charest, man is he ever damaged goods. They cringe in Westmount when you talk about him. And the West Island is hush hush hush.

Cartman Wrote: "Just so you know, there are more "agitated" provinces. Here in Saskatchewan, we came one seat away from kicking the Liberals out. We did manage to get rid of the NDP......(I hope that doesn't sound to much like Gille)."

Sorry I didn't know. Bet you're happy you did (how are Goodale's chances in this election). After 2006 if there is a province without the Liberals, I think the Conservatives could really start using the national representation card.

[Leafless]

August

You wrote- ' Infiltrate' ? " You'll be interested to know Jean Charest has he will not be involved in this general election and he has remained silent on who he will vote for-other than saying he will not vote for the Bloc."

My post was pertaining to 'infiltration' by national federal parties not provincial in the sense that the federal Liberals are not really a national party themselves since a lot of Liberal issue's are directly influenced by it's Quebec Wing Liberals.

In other words the Federal Liberals could be seen as a sort of hybrid national party and not a national party.

I think the federal Liberals have got away playing the 'kitchen magician' of politics' long enough and like preivously mentioned have destroyed the fabric of federalism.

Concerning Jean Charerst I think it does not say much for his attachment to federalism by not making a public proclamation as to what federal party he supports.

[tml12]

August

You wrote- ' Infiltrate' ? " You'll be interested to know Jean Charest has he will not be involved in this general election and he has remained silent on who he will vote for-other than saying he will not vote for the Bloc."

My post was pertaining to 'infiltration' by national federal parties not provincial in the sense that the federal Liberals are not really a national party themselves since a lot of Liberal issue's are directly influenced by it's Quebec Wing Liberals.

In other words the Federal Liberals could be seen as a sort of  hybrid national party and not a national party.

I think the federal Liberals have got away playing the 'kitchen magician' of politics' long enough and like preivously mentioned have destroyed the fabric of federalism.

Concerning Jean Charerst I think it does not say much for his attachment to federalism by not making a public proclamation as to what federal party he supports.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Charest Can't BECAUSE:

1) He is a former PC guy and I think he supports Harper.

2) He is a Liberal now but QLP usually remains neutral because they are usually more conservative in policy than the federal Liberals,

3) Charest is damaged goods. His daycare Bill 124 is a PR disaster.

[normanchateau]

Concerning Jean Charerst I think it does not say much for his attachment to federalism by not making a public proclamation as to what federal party he supports.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Would you rather he did what Joe Clark did, i.e., indicate clearly that he prefers Martin to Harper? Or would you prefer that he took Ralph Klein's approach of just stating that Harper won't win because of his social conservatism? Why would any politician today show support for Harper knowing that the party is likely to dump him after the next election, assuming he doesn't resign first?

[southerncomfort]

August

I think the federal Liberals have got away playing the 'kitchen magician' of politics' long enough and like preivously mentioned have destroyed the fabric of federalism.

Concerning Jean Charerst I think it does not say much for his attachment to federalism by not making a public proclamation as to what federal party he supports.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I agree with you on this, good thread nice debate. The liberals have not been exactly successful at keeping the provinces happy, so possibly Harper can now try it, its worth giving him a chance at it. Layton won't be able to especially with his oil tax initiatives.

[CoachCartman]

laugh.gif Sorry I didn't know. Bet you're happy you did (how are Goodale's chances in this election). After 2006 if there is a province without the Liberals, I think the Conservatives could really start using the national representation card.

Goodale is probably still the front runner there but the CPC's have a good canidate. He screwed his own province in the energy accord that was given to the maritimes and promised to Sask......not delivered....

I also think that the conservitives actually have a shot at a seat or two in Quebec. ( I'll get jumped on for that one)

[tml12]

laugh.gif Sorry I didn't know. Bet you're happy you did (how are Goodale's chances in this election). After 2006 if there is a province without the Liberals, I think the Conservatives could really start using the national representation card.

Goodale is probably still the front runner there but the CPC's have a good canidate. He screwed his own province in the energy accord that was given to the maritimes and promised to Sask......not delivered....

I also think that the conservitives actually have a shot at a seat or two in Quebec. ( I'll get jumped on for that one)

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

You mean the Liberals don't take care of their own?

You won't get jumped on...in Montreal, the Bloc has a hard enough time jumping on Liberal government who govern by divine right (my MP doesn't even live in my riding and she's never here. She sent us a 2006 calendar but that's about it.) I live in a riding that has the potential to go Conservative one of these days.