Liberals Dying Painfully In Quebec

[tml12]

Yesterday La Presse, a French federalist newspaper that traditionally backs the Liberals, endorsed Harper.

The Montreal Gazette, in a three-day editorial special entitled "The Choice For Canada" endorsed Harper.

Outside of Quebec, the Globe and Mail, also a traditionally Liberal paper, endorsed Harper.

And according to CBC, the northern Quebec Liberal candidate who endorsed the Tories yesterday has backtracked and said he wants his supporters to vote Liberal again...Quebec Liberals don't know whether or not to stay on the sinking ship...

So much for Martin's running this campaign on a referendum note...

BTW...On my 1000th post I would like to thank all who have debated with me the last few months on this forum. Even the left-wing members that I criticize many times I would like to say: it wouldn't be a balanced forum without you. You have made me re-think my views on many issues. And thanks to Greg, of course, for providing the venue.

[August1991]

I think the most remarkable fact is that this election has become interesting in Quebec.

In December, it seemed a foregone conclusion that the Bloc would get about 60 seats and the Liberals would be reduced to the rest, in the hard-core federalist ridings in Montreal or near Ottawa. Having got about 48% in June 2004, the BQ was likely to get over 50% in the election, and there was no doubt everyone would interpret this as a precursor of a referendum. Some criticised the Liberals for suggesting the election was that, since it was obvious the BQ would win.

Instead, people are actually taking an interest in this campaign and they are curious to know the result. People feel that their vote matters, and they are taking time to discuss.

Usually, federal elections are not like this in Quebec.

Something else. French Quebec has always been divided between Montreal and the rest. Montreal's strange bilingual nature is part of this difference, but even in a sovereign Quebec, Montreal would still be different. It's the métropole, whereas Quebec City is the vieux capital. The Montréalais are spendthrifts, the Québécois are backward. (This is a difference going back 300 years.)

Somehow, Stephen Harper and the Conservative Party have insinuated themselves into all this. A federal election in Quebec is suddenly hard to call. (To see Gilles Duceppe using the 25 year old Bill 101 against Harper is almost comical.)

I give primary credit to Brian Mulroney for this turn of events. He got many people in Quebec to vote Conservative for the first time, and then do it a second time too. People in Quebec have a "safe" alternative.

For those who read French, I suggest you read this column from La Presse. (Here's a Google translation.)

La donne a changé et, encore une fois, Stephen Harper y est arrivé sans promettre la lune. Juste un peu de bonne foi dans les relations fédérales-provinciales et une meilleure redistribution de la richesse. De toute évidence, les Québécois sont sensibles à la politique de la main tendue et sont prêts à donner une autre chance au fédéralisme. Chose certaine, ils ne montrent pas un grand empressement à vivre un nouveau référendum.

En ce sens, l'évocation du mythique cap des 50 % par Gilles Duceppe et André Boisclair en début de campagne aura été une erreur.

You can be certain that many people in Quebec will watch the election results on Monday night with genuine curiosity. The old debate somehow seems dépassé.

[normanchateau]

I give primary credit to Brian Mulroney for this turn of events. He got many people in Quebec to vote Conservative for the first time, and then do it a second time too.

Yes, Brian Mulroney does indeed deserve all the credit for what will happen to Canada in the next few years. Let the good times roll once again.

[tml12]

I give primary credit to Brian Mulroney for this turn of events. He got many people in Quebec to vote Conservative for the first time, and then do it a second time too.

Yes, Brian Mulroney does indeed deserve all the credit for what will happen to Canada in the next few years. Let the good times roll once again.

Don't worry, I think Harper will be a better PM than Mulrooney...

[normanchateau]

I give primary credit to Brian Mulroney for this turn of events. He got many people in Quebec to vote Conservative for the first time, and then do it a second time too.

Yes, Brian Mulroney does indeed deserve all the credit for what will happen to Canada in the next few years. Let the good times roll once again.

Don't worry, I think Harper will be a better PM than Mulrooney...

Wow, that good....

[Boru]

I give primary credit to Brian Mulroney for this turn of events. He got many people in Quebec to vote Conservative for the first time, and then do it a second time too.

Yes, Brian Mulroney does indeed deserve all the credit for what will happen to Canada in the next few years. Let the good times roll once again.

Don't worry, I think Harper will be a better PM than Mulrooney...

I certainly hope so...although Mulroney never had to deal with a minority...