Monday, October 4, 2010

Will Quebec City Blackmail Work?

A couple of weeks ago, French language militants went 'gaga' over what they described as a 'spectacular' turnout, when 2,500 people attended a rally in a Montreal hall to protest Bill 103, and show support for more restrictive language policies. LINK

I wonder how those organizers are reacting to the fact that twenty-five times as many people attended  a rally in Quebec City, where about 60,000 of them showed up to voice support for the return of NHL hockey. STORY  PHOTO GALLERY

There must be some sort of message in that, but I'll let the readers draw their own conclusions......

The demonstration was not just a feel good event meant for Nordique-crazed fans to demonstrate their determination to win back an NHL franchise, it was a carefully staged maneuvre by mayor Regis Lebaume, to deliver a message to the the Harper government and although the gathering was described as apolitical, it was anything but.


It seems that Mayor Lebaume has a plan to return the Nordiques to Quebec City and that plan is not up for discussion.
It's a simple plan, one where the three levels of government will pay for a new $400 million arena and Quebec's latest heartthrob, 'Boy Wonder' Pierre-Karl Péladeau, will buy, own and operate the 'new' Nordiques.

The Province of Quebec has already committed to the plan by pledging 45% of the cost of the arena. The City of Quebec has already announced that it will throw in $50 million and so another $170 million is needed to get the project off the ground.
Of course Mayor Lebaume expects the federal government to foot the bill and has embarked on a pressure campaign that can better be described as blackmail.

On the face of it, nothing goes further against Tory policy than the public financing of projects that benefit private industry and Mayor Lebaume knows it.

But political realities are something that Mayor Lebaume also understands and in an effort to pull out all the stops he has played the election card rather deftly and so, has placed the Prime Minister firmly between the proverbial "rock and a hard place"

While watching coverage of the event on the news, I spotted several signs that put it as plainly as could be.
NORDIQUES OUI= CONSERVATEURS OUI
ARENA / CONSERVATEURS 
(No Arena/ No Conservatives)

No misunderstanding there!

And so as stupid as it seems, the key to a majority government may come at the cost of a Quebec City arena.
For Harper the dilemma is real. 

The Prime Minister hasn't exactly demonstrated a keen loyalty to the conservative ideal of no interference in the public marketplace and he's certainly not been averse to blowing big government bucks in search of political advantage.

Perhaps the real question for Harper is not philosophical but rather practical. Should he pony up the money for Quebec's new arena, will the seats he will gain in Quebec, be offset by losses in other parts of the country, triggered by disgusted voter blowback?

Perhaps he can go the other route and promise funding to all that come, be it Winnipeg, Edmonton, Saskatchewan and Ottawa as well. After all, for under a billion dollars or so he can satisfy everybody's stadium ambitions and perhaps guarantee a conservative majority.
At any rate, it seems like a better use of the money then the billion he spent on the G20 conference.

For Harper the decision must be agonizing, another minority government will probably spell his demise.
Most in the Conservative party have been holding their nose, watching as the party betrays its ideals in order to stay in power.  It's unlikely that the rank and file will accept much more of a Harper if he doesn't deliver a majority. 

And so the 170 million dollar question remains, will the Prime Minister throw out the political ideals of his party and roll the dice in one last desperate attempt at a majority?

Will Harper pay?

24 comments:

  1. If it worked for the socialist plan the coalition forced upon Harper so that Ignatieff could say yes to it, it might as well work with Labeaume's agenda as well so that he could stay in power.

    By the way, the demonstration was organized by a simple citizen that had nothing to do at first with Labeaume, Mr. Mario Roy.

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  2. Mississauga Guy said...

    Don't do it Stephen!

    This is another chapter in Quebec bellyaching. The something-for-nothing bastards [to quote the title of Howard Galganov's first book] are up to their old tricks. As if the Québécois are going to vote for Stephen Harper if he OKs this...sure...when pigs could fly! They'll still vote for those stalemates, da Bloc!

    On the other hand, they're playing the Dr. Faustus card in Quebec City, and they have nothing to lose by playing that card when it's all said and done. Sadly, I can see Harper wanting to cling to the mantle and privileges of power. If he fails to obtain a majority in the next election, it may cost him the mantle. On the other hand, I don't know ANYONE better in the party who could bring Quebec into the fold for that illusive majority.

    Would Harper sell his soul to the devil à la Dr. Faustus? I personally don't think it's worth the risk.

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  3. What a joke. I am so sick of my province asking for handouts and never giving anything back in return, other than blaming ROC for all of its problems.

    Do you honestly think these 60,000 lemmings will vote for the Conservatives if they get the cash?.

    What a bunch of whores we are.

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  4. Concernant la pancarte, je trouve ça triste que LA chose qui peut faire changer des personnes de voter pour un autre parti, soit l'enjeu du...

    hockey.

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  5. This is in line with Quebec’s old policy of blackmail, and is nothing but an extension of the "Do what we say or we separate" tactic. It worked for so long, so why not keep going down that road?

    I have nothing against the people of Quebec City having their équipe d'ookee, under one condition: I don't want a cent of my tax money to go into funding it.

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  6. Well, Harper does indeed have a problem with this. If he gives in to Quebec City on this then he has to do the same for the other cities looking for stadiums or arenas. Even if he does a lot of people will be asking questions as to how far the Conservative governement has strayed from "being conservative". Will be interesting to see how he handles this one. Also, there is no guarantee that funding the project will result in more seats. As I recall, Flaherty (Harper driving the boat) increased equalization by a factor of double before the last election and also put up 700 million to aid Charest in his efforts. He cut a measly 37 million from cultural travel budgets and look what happened to him in Quebec.

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  7. Extortion 101, the Quebecois all purpose negotiating tool; when will Canadians learn to walk away from the hopeless madness. Canadians would help foot the bill and the nationalist would hijack the team and use it a political tool to spread their message of Franco-supremacy. The Nodics would be the first team in the league with a language law and a political agenda, there is no way they could compete. The Nodics failed once before and would fail again. If Canadians have any sense at all, they will send the message to Harper, ‘Let them pay for it themselves’.

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  8. Harper doit nous obéir et il le sait car il perdra le peu de pouvoir qu'il possède.Cela évitera quelque peu le raz de marée Bloquiste qui déferlera sur attawwa aux prochaines élections.
    Harper doit se soumettre et oublier les demandes des autres provinces,le Québec dabord.Ne sommes-nous pas les meilleurs embassadeurs de ce pays?N'avons-nous pas les joueurs (sportifs et politiciens) les plus doués?Harper n'est pas aussi idiot qu'il en a l'air et il agira en conséquence.

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  9. There is an ongoing discourse about a new domed stadium in Regina. That stadium is supposed to be the new home for the Saskatchewan Roughriders since the old stadium (Mosaic Stadium at Taylor Field) is deemed old. The discourse keeps on being on and off, particularly because of financial aspects.

    Now that the federal government seem to be willing to pay for the Quebec City arena, the proponents of the stadium in Regina come alive again. They are certain that the federal government will pay for their stadium.

    My point is, where will it end? Frank Clair stadium in Ottawa needs upgrade for the upcoming of yet another CFL franchise in Ottawa. MTS Centre in Winnipeg also needs to be upgraded to NHL standard should the Jets are to be brought back. What about Copps Coliseum?

    The list goes on and on. Once they commit on Quebec City the government simply can not ignore the others.

    My question to the population of Quebec outside Quebec City, why is it okay for us for the provincial government to finance 45% of the total cost? What does that arena bring to us?

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  10. Anonymous at 13:46,

    Very nice. So according to you, Quebecois is a master race, eh?

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  11. Harper doit nous obéir et il le sait car il perdra le peu de pouvoir qu'il possède.Cela évitera quelque peu le raz de marée Bloquiste qui déferlera sur attawwa aux prochaines élections.
    Harper doit se soumettre et oublier les demandes des autres provinces,le Québec dabord.Ne sommes-nous pas les meilleurs embassadeurs de ce pays?N'avons-nous pas les joueurs (sportifs et politiciens) les plus doués?Harper n'est pas aussi idiot qu'il en a l'air et il agira en conséquence.

    This is the rhetoric of an entitled, maliciously arrogant beggar. How does it feel to be so feckless and dependent on others? Have you no grace, dignity, or pride? Like the boy who cried wolf, one day no will listen to your tired, pathetic threats. How long will it be before all you have to eat are your empty, impotent words? HABS RULE, HA, HA, HA!!!

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  12. I got a kick out of your comparison between the size of French militant rallies vs the hockey support rally. I noted with some amusement that the majority of hockey rally participants sported blue shirts that proudly displayed the words "Nordique Nation." Though my French is not great, even I know that ain't French.

    In any other context, the French militants would be all over that. Oh wait, they did...in the form of complaints against the Montreal Canadians (grin).

    Cheers --- Larry

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  13. "This is the rhetoric of an entitled, maliciously arrogant beggar. How does it feel to be so feckless and dependent on others?"

    Je dois remettre les pendules a l'heure : Vous oubliez monsieur anon.1:44 que c'est le canada qui a besoin du Québec car sans nous,vous ne représentez pas grand chose au niveau international.Notre présence au sein du canada a un prix.8.5 milliards/année est un bon deal pour les canayens.Profitez-en car nous avons d'autres projets en cours...

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  14. PLEASE DON'T FEED THE TROLLS.

    I print a couple of these for fun, but don't let him sit back and enjoy your reactions.

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  15. "I print a couple of these for fun, but don't let him sit back and enjoy your reactions. "

    Oui, je suis d'accorde avec votre deniere commentaire. I can hear the crying from Quebec already if the Conservatives say NON. I am sure that "fat boy" D.Coderre will engage any refusal as "Quebec bashing".

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  16. Yes, this does smell like blackmail. And, worse, if Quebec City gets money. Those looking for NHL teams will demand as well. Those trying to keep their teams will demand as well. Plus, even Toronto and Montreal may even ask for some piece of the pie in the form of a tax break. So, what I think is simple. We don't negotiate with blackmailers. If you do, you'll be blackmailed over and over.

    Let's face it. Those that voted Conservative in Quebec believe in a fiscal conservative ideology. These people with signs do not. They will never vote Conservative because they don't believe in fiscal conservative ideas. So, who cares what they complain about.

    Also, do the Conservatives really need the few Quebec seats to become a majority? Isn't the House suppose to add new seats in order to take into account the population changes in the country. New seats are suppose to be added to BC, AB, and ON.

    Montreal resident.

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  17. The Conservatives are delusional if they think they can buy the loyalty of the Quebecois. This stadium is a bad idea. I certainly have no desire to see my tax dollars go to this. If Quebec City must have some pork barrelling spend the money on a new hospital, not this. The Toronto guy.

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  18. @ Editor:

    The posts at 12:46 PM and 2:36 PM are from that old asshole troll Dartagnan. His incredibly bigoted statements are easily recognizable. Perhaps you should stop humouring him by censoring his posts.

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  19. "c'est le canada qui a besoin du Québec car sans nous,vous ne représentez pas grand chose au niveau international."
    Tout comme les séparatistes ont besoin des fédéralistes québécois car sans nous vous faites passez notre province entière pour un coin bourré de rednecks racistes, illétrés, et reculés. Vous dites des Montréalais qu’ils sont nombrilistes? Faut être ben nombriliste pour penser qu’on est les seuls (ou les plus importants) de ce continent.


    « Notre présence au sein du canada a un prix.8.5 milliards/année est un bon deal pour les canayens. »

    Ça dépend. Le moment venu d’exploiter les gaz de schiste, ça va être nous qui souffrirons en péréquation. Ce sera nous qui chialerons comme le fait en ce moment l’Alberta. Et le maudit fed nous aura déjoué et encarcané bien avant ça.


    « Profitez-en car nous avons d'autres projets en cours... »

    I call your bluff! Le programme politique de votre parti qui n’a guère changé depuis les années 60? Scrappez-la une fois pour toutes votre obsession avec votre séparation échouée que vous avez été incapable de réaliser et que vous ne réaliserez jamais ni par étapisme, ni d’un coup sec. Cogitez de l’utilité réelle de certaines de vos valeurs partisanes les plus profondes. Vous serez surpris.

    Si vous aimez vraiment le Québec autant que vous le dites, retournez-donc à a planche à dessin. Comme partout en occident, nos enfants se sédentarisent et deviennent obèses de plus en plus; arrangez-ça. Une démo tout aussi inquiétante est incapable de lire et de s’exprimer (fonctionnellement) à l’écrit, ni en français, ni en anglais; faites-donc quelque chose de bon pour eux. Faites de Montréal le moteur économique du Canada à nouveau. Apprenez l’anglais et avalez la pilule une fois pour toutes. Il y a de la preuve en masse que vous ne deviendrez pas « moins » francophones ou même des Québécois secondaires (un nombre croissant de nous multilingues sans loyauté à aucune solitude en sommes la preuve). Vous vous plaignez de la corruption dans l’industrie de la construction : faites repaver nos routes avec une garantie « pas de nid-de-poule avant 25 ans » comme aux États. Faites ouvrir plus de garderies à 7$ et en même temps faites pour que ça devienne lucratif comme entreprise privée. Sans faire augmenter mes taxes, procédez-donc à la réingénierie de l’état de Charest que vous dites ratée, tout en refondant notre état-providence de telle sorte qu’on n’aura plus besoin de transferts fédéraux… et qu’on verse à Ottawa beaucoup plus qu’on n’en obtient. Vous détestez tellement les anglos? Faites du chinois ou de l’hindi la deuxième langue officielle du Québec avec immersion obligatoire pour tout le monde, car on en aura besoin bientôt (mais avec résultats tangibles svp, j’ai déjà été dans une école publique franco : on nous apprenait de l’anglais au compte-gouttes; ne pas répéter).

    Arrangez-nous tout ça sans faire mal à notre sacré portefeuille et sans amoindrir les acquis de qui que ce soit et vous aurez le soutien d’une grande majorité de fédés qui deviendront vos plus ardents militants.

    Continuez à échouer aux risques de nous tous.

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  20. @Mississauga guy,

    "Would Harper sell his soul to the devil à la Dr. Faustus? I personally don't think it's worth the risk."

    He already did with the coalition end of 2008.

    And what to think of the 500 millions dollars for the Commonwealth game in Toronto just to buy some Toronto votes where Harper has between zero and no MP:

    http://www.tsn.ca/cfl/teams/story/?id=322827&hubname=cfl-tiger_cats

    What to think of the G-20 for 1 billion dollars in security...what to think of Vancouver Olympic game subventions.

    Want more?

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  21. http://www.cbc.ca/canada/montreal/story/2010/10/04/mtl-keyboards-english-french-riverside.html

    TO EDITOR: DO AN ARTICLE ON THIS PLEASE (racist bastards Quebecois)

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  22. Re: the CBC article.

    It reminds me of what happened at IBM (1250 René-Lévesque) a few years back. New phones have been purchased from CISCO. The phones were equipped with an adhesive grid with key labels written on them. To comply with the OQLF, the management decided to remove the stickers. At the end of the day, there was a heap of stickers in each garbage can on the floor. The decision was made to have the phones with no writing on them at all, than to have the writing in English (which most people on the floor understood).

    Now this ridiculous thing at the Riverside School Board.

    Are there any depths to which this province won't sink?

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  23. I saw one of the head guys of OQLF interviewed on CBC. The guy is an absolute assholde and even looks the part. The whole thing is ridiculous and of course something we are starting to becomed accustomed to when it comes to Quebec.

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