Wednesday, November 13, 2013

FTQ Revelations Entertainment Worthy of a Soap Opera

Michel Arsenault, the president of the most powerful union in Quebec, has decided not to submit his name for re-election, amid swirling controversies and accusations.

It's an interesting story, but hard to follow, mainly because it has been playing out slowly over the months and involves a large cast of characters, the good, the bad and the decidedly ugly.

Now as is my want, I'm going to take the completely opposite view of what is described by the mainstream media, who are vilifying Arsenault and portraying him as some sort of crook.
It just isn't true.

Now I've no axe to grind and no personal stake or friendship here and the FTQ isn't my favourite organization, but fair is fair, Arsenault was railroaded out of a job and although I have no sympathy for him or the union, them's the facts.

Before I start story telling, let's cover some background.

The FTQ (Fédération des travailleurs et travailleuses du Québec) is Quebec's largest union with over half a million members representing about 44% of Quebec's unionized workers. Its president for the last few years is Michel Arsenault, the subject of this piece.

The FTQ Construction is a component union of the FTQ and had as its president one Jocelyn Dupuis, (until he was ousted) who is one badass connected to the Mafia.

The third element that you need to know about is Ken Pereira, an organizer at the FTQ Construction who turned whistle-blower and got Dupuis dumped.

The last element is the Fonds de Solidarité, a fund created by the FTQ, ostensibly to make investments in Quebec with the express goal of fostering union jobs.
In fact very little of that happens, the bulk of its investments are similar to any other Canadian investment fund, but more on that later on.
The fund receives contributions from the public via RRSP contributions and represents (on the surface) an especially good deal because both the federal and provincial government grant an extra 15% deduction, for a total deduction of 30% more than what is given to a regular RRSP contribution at a bank or trust institution.

Let me take a moment to explain.
A taxpayer making $50,000 and who contributes 5,000 to an RRSP, is only taxed on the remaining $45,000, and so the $5,000 that goes into the RRSP account is tax-free.

A taxpayer making $50,000 and who contributes $5,000 to the Fonds de Solidarite RRSP, gets the same deduction plus an additional deduction of 15% from the federal government and 15% from the Quebec government and so is taxed not on the $45,000 as above, but $43,500. Detailed Explanation

It sounds like a good deal and many Quebecers have invested in the fund because of the additional tax saving with the belief that the money is being invested in Quebec, both assumptions proving false. The Fund has performed so poorly, they'd have been better off investing elsewhere, anywhere else, in fact.

Here is a chart prepared by DAVID over at antagonist.net where you can read more about the subject.(in French.)
The chart describes what $100 invested in the year 2,000 in the various investment funds, is worth today.
The comparison is quite shocking, the $100 invested in the Caisse de dépôt (Quebec's retirement fund) grew to about $165, while the money in the FTQ-Solidarity Fund grew to just $118, while the Ontario Municipal Employee fund grew to $200, the Canadian Pension Plan grew to $210 and the aggressive Teachers fund from Ontario grew to $240.


So to those thinking that the FTQ Solidarity Fund is worth the extra deduction...think again.

And by the way, the federal government pulled the plug on its portion of the tax deduction this year, claiming that the Fund doesn't really invest much in job creation and is really just another player in the RRSP game.

But the Solidarity Fund still has about $9.3 billion in assets and that certainly is no trifle.
The fund is managed by professionals, but the President of the FTQ is automatically placed on the Board of Directors.
And here plays out the drama.

While Jocelyn Dupuis was then FTQ-Construction boss, he partnered up with some serious Mafiosi and tried to get Arsenault to use his influence as a board member of the Solidarity Fund to lend these companies money.
Arsenault demurred, telling Dupuis that the reputations of the partners made it impossible to lend them anything and considering the repercussions of turning down the Mafia, I think he acquitted himself nicely.
No harm no foul, the Fund never gave Dupuis and his partners any money at all.

Ken Pereira  -whistle blower extraordinaire!
At any rate, Dupuis' actions in the union got the hackles up of Ken Pereira and he was determined to kick Dupuis out of the union, He was so determined to get dirt on Dupuis that he secretly broke into the office and stole financial records that showed Dupuis bilking the union by way of phony expense claims, restaurant bills for up to $5,000 a meal and incredibly, claiming the mobster partners as the guests!
Pereira took the proof to Arsenault and asked him to dump Dupuis, but Arsenault stalled, hoping to clean up the mess privately.
After all, he was dealing with a man connected to some very dangerous individuals. In fact one of them is now in jail awaiting his trial for murder.

And so it came to pass that somebody (wink,wink)  leaked the documents to a journalist and when the extent of the bilking became public, Dupuis was forced to resign and was subsequently arrested for theft by the police.
Along the way, we were promised some juicy wiretap evidence at the Charbonneau Commission,  concerning FTQ bosses discussing affairs, but truthfully they were less than impressive, when finally played. The recordings incriminated Dupuis, but not Arsenault.

Jocelyn Dupuis- masterful performance!
By the way, Dupuis just wrapped up testifying before the Charbonneau Commission and his testimony was absolutely delicious.
A consummate actor and raconteur extraordinaire, it was impressive to see what a force he is. Calm and confident, not in the least bit intimidated, he teased with the judge and prosecutor with grinning disdain.
When asked why he associated and partnered up with so many mobsters, he told the commission that he believed in giving criminals a chance to rehabilitate themselves. PRICELESS!!!
Read a story on his testimony

So not a pretty story. But as for Arsenault, I can't really find fault .
He never did anything crooked and his only failing was in not rooting out Dupuis and his mobster friends.
But I'd like to remind readers that these people are extremely violent and volatile and I myself would consider long and large before taking a heroic stand.

Now let's  go on to the second part of the FTQ story, this one is even more interesting.
It concerns Pauline Marois' controversial husband, Claude Blanchet.
Here's what I wrote about him back in 2011. 
Madame & Messier Pauline Marois
Madame Marois has always been an expert political 'operator' cut from the same cloth as Jean Charest. She has survived her own scandals with barely a scratch.
Her detestable husband, Claude Blanchet, is wealthy in his own right. While Marois was a cabinet minister in the PQ government of Jacques Parizeau, her husband was appointed, as director of a new Quebec government investment agency, the Société générale de financement du Québec but was eventually forced out over charges of gross incompetence. During his five year tenure at the helm of the agency, it lost over $800 million, during which time, he and senior management paid themselves generous bonuses, year after losing year!' When he was finally ousted, he negotiated himself an $80,000 pension for life, as well as hundreds of thousands of dollars in severance!
I've been told off the record, by businessmen who know him professionally, that he's the type of guy that you count your fingers after shaking hands with him.

The power couple live in a controversial eight million mansion on Île Bizard, which was the subject of considerable controversy at one point. It was alleged in the Montreal Gazette that the couple paid off someone in order to legitimize a zoning change for the property. Read: How estate was built on public, farm lands.
See breathtaking pictures of the chateau Here
The couple sued the Gazette for $2 million over the article, but when the controversy petered out as expected, they settled out of court with the newspaper. The Gazette in the strangest of settlements, admitted that the story could have caused the couple harm, but was in fact true...Huh?  Link{Fr}

Read the entire post
Would you lend this guy money?
It seems that the Solidarity Fund did just that, $3,00,000 $2,999,999, but more about that sum a little later.

Now for Arsenault the FTQ boss, it would just make business sense to cosy up to the husband of the then opposition leader, a good investment that would pay off, should she become Premier, which of course she did.
The loan was a trifling sum to a 9 billion fund and let's face it, Blanchet and Marois would be indebted whether the investment was successful or not.
Of course it was not.....

Now Marois met with Arsneault twice, once before the loan and once after, ostensibly to discuss public matters and maybe that part is true.

But that is not the point, the meeting cemented a relationship and that is what Arsenault wanted and got.
Who could blame him, it was just good business and there was no ethical lapse on his part at all, no more than offering NHL tickets to a purchasing agent.
To those of you who think that this is unethical, welcome to the real world.
AND during all this, Arsenault was subject to a police investigation which included wiretaps and surveillance!

But it was not Arsenault that broke the ethical bounds, rather Marois, who should never, never have taken such a meeting.
To highlight the power that Arsenault exercised over the PQ, when the crap hit the fan over the mob's attempt to get loans from the Solidarity Fund, the opposition demanded that Arsenault explain himself before a National assembly Committee.
Marois steadfastly refused, protecting Arsenault from testifying, but when Arsenault himself decided that he was better off appearing, the Premier reversed herself.

At any rate, it should never have happened, the Charbonneau Commission was looking into these things and this Parliamentary circus was nothing more than a distraction.

Now back to the loan..
It seems that the full board of Directors of the Solidarity fund is required to approve any loan of three million dollars plus and so that is why the loan to Blanchet's company was $2,999,999, a dollar short of the threshold.
Draw your own conclusion... 

One last thing.
During Dupuis' testimony, it came out that the FTQ-Construction union, the entity that Dupuis led, gave quite a bit of help to  André Boisclair and the PQ in the 2007 election.
Hundreds of FTQ-Construction workers put up signs, manned phone lines and provided security and babysitting services.
Now there's nothing illegal at all about that, as long as nobody was paid to do the work and Dupuis claimed that to be the case.

But what is interesting, is the fact that Dupuis admitted to sharing a few meals with Boisclair to discuss strategy.

Now the LCN news network dug up an old André Boisclair interview where he told the interviewer that the days of the PQ leader being a pal with union leaders is a thing of the past and that he would not be conducting business over liquid lunches, so to speak.

A direct contradiction of the facts.
In Boisclair's upcoming defamation lawsuit against Jacques Duchesneau, and Francis Legault,  I think the defence team should pay notice to the fact that Boisclair was untruthful.

As they say on the TV court room dramas...'goes to credibility, your honour!'

124 comments:

  1. FROM ED
    Now I know why my grndson is having troule getting the $ 3000.00 the bursaries people owe him They gave to those guys.
    We're being blocked again for being English and i've had enouigh. I'm talking to a lawyer to suer tghrough the civil rightys court like sandy McTire suggested.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Ed, I once looked into obtaining either a student loan or bursary, decades ago when I was in post-secondary school. Between my parents apparently being "too rich" for me to be considered, the application forms that needed to be filled out were a God-awful dog's breakfast almost impossible to decipher, and the English translation of the forms and their accompanying literature was so bad it made that bad thing that much worse!

      How can they "owe" your grandson the money? They used to either send you a letter rejecting your application or a cheque if accepted. I imagine, too, he had to apply in French? Whatever! This is a government that has a visceral hard-on hatred for all things not French, so don't be surprised if that's part of the game as well.

      That near-traumatic experience I had with the loan and bursary forms (I say "near" because I finally threw the whole package away in disgust and frustration) was just another led-filled boxcar added to my train of burdens by Quebec society that contributed to my highly-anticipated departure the day after my university convocation. The smartest thing your grandson can and should do upon graduation is leave Quebec, not to get away from you, but to have a good chance at a happier future.

      Delete
    2. Get out of the province ASAP Anonymous, it will only get worse...these people are proudly and openly bigoted...they hate and enjoy doing so...

      Good luck but get out...

      Delete
    3. JW: "Anonymous" is actually Ed. He is a retiree now. See what he wrote below about his grandson. A very difficult and noble task considering the boy's parents won't do for him what Ed is.

      FYI, Ed and I have butted heads over various issues, but when necessary, I do side with those who do good for those who need it when their kin closest to them won't or can't.

      Delete
  2. FROM ED
    Good morning Saugy, my old pal, you've made my day. I think David should get away from me we argue like one of us was an Arab and the other an Israeli. Davis is bipolar. It's a hell of a thing to be inflicted with. Someone says something he feels is unfair and he blows like Vesuvius. This is why I'm doing the work needed to get what he needs. My basic pension from Ottawa can house and feed him but educating a child is another matter. (His books were $600.00) Right now, I have all the forms filled and sent which they acknowedge having recieved on line and it will be a matter of four to six weeks (they read slow). It is our own fault. The papers were sent late as I had to know whether Dave had had any contact with his parents and he wouldn't talk about it. However they've had two full monthe and the money for September, October and now November is still unpaid.
    Last night we had a hell of a blow up. Because we are low on food, I suggested moving in with my son for a few days so he could have all that's here. I forgot that one of the conditions that often accompanies bipolarism is monophobia, the fear of being left alone.
    So he went 'grape' (a diminuation of great ape) meaning he really got mad. This morning he hugged me and said I know I said something bad to you last night and I'm afraid to ask what it was.
    He has had jobs at places like Canadian Tire and Maxi but they never lasts more than three months before something goes off. The reason I keep him is because I'm all he has. No one else will take him He has left here three times to live with a close buddy and his two girl friends (one at a time) over the years but he ends up back here within a month. I kid him by saying he is the grandson I wish I never had. I love him dearly. My heart goes out to anyone who feels rejected and alone. I could never leave him. In the meantime he has had no income since May when school finished for the summer. The orang utans in Quebec grunt in French so fast I have trouble translating. Ed

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    Replies
    1. Ed: Sorry to hear of your plight. To take care of a grandson when his parents won't or can't does carry nobility so you must have the patience of job. Have you contacted your MNA for some help? With any luck, you live in an Anglophone riding and not a péquiste riding because while the former are to me just a bunch of Quislings, Kapos and yes-men, the latter to minorities are as useless as $4 bills.

      Being Jewish myself, between school and work, I got along with my fellow students and colleagues who are of Arabic and Persian origin, so I like to think that notwithstanding the political shenanigans in Quebec, it beats the you-know-what going on in places like Syria, Egypt and Iran. Hopefully things in Quebec won't devolve into what has become of those countries, but sadly is not taking steps in the right direction.

      Good luck with your grandson. Beyond schooling, I hope he's getting the help he needs to integrate with mainstream society.

      Delete
    2. FROM ED
      Mr.Sauga, yes David is improving because I've told him don't argue with anyone comehome and discuss it with me. You can always go back and slug him after. it causes some terrible rows but I can handle it.
      I am involved now in a lawsuit against the Verdun welfare office with the help of legal aid lawyer. Sandy McTire was good enough to point out that a legal aid could win the case under the bill of rights article 45/46 which says the government gives fund for people in need and it is the duty of those in charge to help them get it.
      WE tried for two years when David was finishing his high school. For two years thay demanded form after form
      and when I asked what was holding it up she told me the 'Parental Consent Form'. I told her I have that form in my hand (they return the forms after) and it has your stamp on it. Been in your office twice. Her answer floored me. She said, "In that case reapply." After two years, start over. That's when I went to the MNA for Verdun who eventually straightened it out. Ed

      Delete
    3. Excellent. I do hope your lawyer represents David well.

      Based on that bureaucrat's answer, small wonder Quebec is tanking. Probably makes more in an hour than I make in a day. Dummkopf!

      Delete
  3. Busloads of kids get surprise trip to Toys"R"Us

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q5SXybm6bss#t=59

    Les américains sont magnifiques

    ReplyDelete
  4. FROM ED
    Good morning EDITOR. I would caution Mr.Boisclair that in the case of libel the plaintive becomes the defendant. He has to prove that what his accusers say never happened. It was the undoing of Oscar Wilde TheMarquis de Queensbury, Lord Douglas called him a sodomite so he sued,but the writings in his books made it impossible to prove that he wasn't, so he lost the case
    Boisclair will have to show that he wasn't smoking crack and I'm sure Duscheneau can come up with a witness to prove he was. Ed

    ReplyDelete
  5. Rob Ford | une troisième vi­déo compromettante

    http://www.journaldemourreal.com/rob-ford-une-troisieme-vi%C2%ADdeo-compromettante/

    Quelle honte pour les ontariens...

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. At least the majority of our embarrassing mayors had the good grace to step down (except for Michel Lavoie)...on the upside Rob Ford is great entertainment for the rest of the country, I bet comedians are loving it.

      Delete
    2. Rob Ford has never been accused of bribery or theft, unlike Quebec politicians.

      Delete
    3. @john krug

      yes these liberal federalist politicians vaillancourt tremblay applebaum tomassi etc are worse than rob ford. i agree.

      Delete
    4. Can you imagine however, that when Sugar Sammy asked the question, "Who would you want as your Leader, miss piggy or the crackhead", everyone resoundingly opted for the crackhead .....and the rest of you ,,,in true seppie tradition,... (and like little crybabies)...had a hissy fit.....

      Rejection is a bitch after all.... lolololololololol

      Delete
  6. The FTQ return on Investment is embarrassing.

    A 12 year old can do better. A passive fund without management will do much better.

    Typical for Quebec tho. When you put "Quebec best and brightest french minds" in charge the guys in NY eat them alive.

    Quebec draws on the best and brightest of people with no teeth from the hinterlands of Quebec. NY, Toronto etc draw on the best traders in the world.

    Is it any wonder we are last as usual. Of course not.

    At least 10 francophones were shielded from english for a few years. That is worth a trillion dollars of Canada money to any seppie.

    So far at least Canada seems happy to keep paying. SUCKERS!



    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Je suppose que le canaya a de bonnes raisons de vouloir nous conserver dans son giron.

      Delete
    2. Up until now you've always had French Canadian Prime Ministers who gave a crap about you so you never had to worry about being included, but the guy who is in charge of Ottawa now...mmmm...not so much. He got elected as a majority government and didn't need you, not that you were generous with him in any way, so you can bet that...Payback is a Bitch. Come 2014 he'll be only to happy to show his teeth, and trust me, the Fangs will be all for you....bye bye transfer payments...

      Delete
    3. @anectote

      "bye bye transfer payments..."

      well... bye bye canada!

      Delete
    4. Tough words, but let's you if you don't scream bloody murder when it happens. Lol, I call front row seats for the hissy fit you'll have when you're left empty handed.

      Delete
    5. ....Not to mention, you basically stick around cause Canada hands you money, like a common prostitute?? So you're Canada's bitch??? I wonder how your seppie friends feel about your characterization of quebec that way??? Mmm

      Delete
    6. @cebeuq,

      Ce commentaire est déplorable. Dire que les élites québécoises ne sont que des ignares incompétents car ils ont eus le malheur (?) de naître francophone est abjecte de votre part. D'ailleurs, d'où viens cette idée qu'un anglophone sera nécessairement plus intelligent qu'un francophone ? La langue influence l'intelligence mathématique selon vous? Si c'est ce que pensez, alors vous êtes ce que l'on peut appeler un raciste.

      Je ne sais pas quel est l'origine de votre frustration et de votre mépris évident envers les québécois ''pur-laine'' (terme idiot que je déteste mais bon).Sachez seulement que votre attitude est odieuse et très peu constructive. Je reconnais volontiers que le Québec vit des difficultés économiques pour une multitude de raisons. C'est pour cela que je croit que nous devons cesser ces batailles futiles et ces insultes vicieuses des deux côtés (je parle aussi à vous, monsieur S.R) et devons régler les problèmes ensemble: francophones. anglophones et allophones.

      Delete
    7. @anectote

      "...you basically stick around cause Canada hands you money, like a common prostitute??"

      that analogy helps understand the french federalist, yes. good one anectote.

      Delete
    8. The Federalists are entitled to the money as we're in the Family and it's quite normal for Family to look after Family.

      You however, clearly implied that quebec sticks around BEAUSE of the money, otherwise it wouldn't. Taking the money....like a payment for something...and that's what sluts do, so according to you that's what Quebec is.

      You need to choose your words more wisely next time. What would your seppie friends say if they knew you called quebec a common whore? I wonder.

      Delete
    9. @anectote

      "The Federalists are entitled to the money..."

      if federalists are no whores, and separatists want to break up with canada, well there are no whores anymore in your story mate.

      "You however, clearly implied that quebec sticks around BEAUSE of the money,..."

      of course, because there are more "federalists" whores than separatists in quebec at the present time.

      "Taking the money....like a payment for something...and that's what sluts do, so according to you that's what Quebec is."

      no i told you before. it's the way french so called federalists think. most of them are super nationalists but they are afraid to lose money if quebec breaks away. will i have to explain this a third time?

      "What would your seppie friends say if they knew you called quebec a common whore?"

      i didn't. and again the leeches are the ones who feel dependant on canada. hardly the seppie situation. by jove are we back to logic's very basics here. fascinating.

      Delete
    10. "if federalists are no whores, and separatists want to break up with canada, well there are no whores anymore in your story mate"

      It is not my story, you called quebec a whore so it's your story.

      "of course, because there are more "federalists" whores than separatists in quebec at the present time"

      Those running the joint in Quebec City right now for over a yr already is the PQ and they've accepted the transfer payments at least once already so you meant to say the "provincial" whores...oooooohhhhh I get then.

      "i didn't. and again the leeches are the ones who feel dependant on canada. hardly the seppie situation...."

      But you said the provincial whores accepted the transfer payments so that makes them dependant.

      Ok, I see where you're going with this. Lol

      LOL LOL LOL


      Delete
    11. @anectote

      "Those running the joint in Quebec City right now for over a yr already is the PQ and they've accepted the transfer payments at least once already so you meant to say the "provincial" whores..."

      in taking in the transfer payments the pq abided by canadian constitutional law. if you think this exchange is akin to a prostitute getting paid by a sad customer i suggest you blame the canadian law and prepare to explain why you think canadian wealth shouldn't be shared amongst all canadians.

      "Ok, I see where you're going with this."

      about time.

      Delete
    12. FROM ED
      Right on Cebeuq, My Father always said, "Give a job to a Frenchman and he'll screw it up or make it more difficult."
      In my 77 yrs.I have found that to be true and wondered why. It seems they don't want to try anthjing new. the fact that their language still uses gender for inanimate objects tells a story. Companies like Bell and Hydro that used to be efficiently run are now all managed by francos. If you call Bell with a problem you get sitched to seven or eight differnt people who transfer you to another . You have to start from the beginning each time to explain your problem over and over.. If you think in the past you stay in the past. Ed

      Delete
    13. 'AnecTOTEWednesday, November 13, 2013 at 7:14:00 PM EST
      Up until now you've always had French Canadian Prime Ministers who gave a crap about you so you never had to worry about being included, but the guy who is in charge of Ottawa now...mmmm...not so much. He got elected as a majority government and didn't need you, not that you were generous with him in any way, so you can bet that...Payback is a Bitch. Come 2014 he'll be only to happy to show his teeth, and trust me, the Fangs will be all for you....bye bye transfer payments...'

      I hope you are right, i really do...

      Delete
    14. "I hope you are right, i really do..."

      Les indépendantistes (Seppies) aussi

      Delete
    15. Ab O F: Whatsa matter, can't handle the truth? Why do Jewish brains cost $1, English brains $2 and French brains $1,000. Answer: French brains are rare! They're there, but do realize when mining for gold, you have to dig through about 300 tons of tailings (i.e., 600,000 pounds of dirt, rocks, etc) to yield an ounce of gold.

      I won't mock the French language because every language has peculiarities, and the French language is not the problem in Quebec. It's the idiots, those 600,000 pounds of tailings, who were born there that are the problem.

      Delete
    16. Combien de débris pour une once de crack M.L'ontarien?

      Delete
    17. @ed

      "My Father always said, "Give a job to a Frenchman and he'll screw it up or make it more difficult."

      and did you pass along this racism to the next generation as your father did to you?

      Delete
    18. This comment has been removed by the author.

      Delete
    19. "in taking in the transfer payments the pq abided by canadian constitutional law. if you think this exchange is akin to a prostitute getting paid by a sad customer i suggest you blame the canadian law and prepare to explain why you think canadian wealth shouldn't be shared amongst all canadians."

      I am absolutely for sharing Canadian wealth amongst Canadians, but you seppies have made it very clear you are not Canadians. It always makes me laugh that seppies will invoke the Canadian Constitution when it suits them, ...the little bloody Hypocrites. By your statement above, it very evident, tho you want no part of Canada, you still want Canada's money.

      ".....and again the leeches are the ones who feel dependant on canada. hardly the seppie situation...."

      Again going by your statements, the fact that seppies still wanna grab whatever they can for themselves...pretty much makes them Leeches. Lol

      Do you realize how full of sh*t you are?..... No worries everyone else has!!!

      If seppies are serious about becoming independent, they should, for starters, turn down the upcoming transfer payments, this may perhaps garner their cause, some support and perhaps even some respect. But we're all quite confident that when the time comes, quebec will run to the front of the line with its hand sticking out, like the little starving beggar it is.

      Delete
    20. @anectote

      "...but you seppies have made it very clear you are not Canadians."

      there's a difference between not feeling canadian and not being canadian. every separatist's passport is canadian. not one of them will deny this. therefore, while this lasts, all separatists are entitled to benefit from canadian programs just as any other canadian.

      "It always makes me laugh that seppies will invoke the Canadian Constitution when it suits them..."

      you must laugh a lot. someone invoking something suiting is a common occurence.

      "it very evident, tho you want no part of Canada, you still want Canada's money."

      separatists won't want it after quebec goes. until then canada's money is theirs.

      "...the fact that seppies still wanna grab whatever they can for themselves...pretty much makes them Leeches."

      i'm not sure to understand what you mean here. what is it they want to grab that other canadians don't want? if you mean transfer payments i'll have to remind you that all provinces pull the blanket on their side.

      "Do you realize how full of sh*t you are?"

      no.

      "...they should, for starters, turn down the upcoming transfer payments,..."

      why would they do that? quebekers paid into them. it would be a rip off. hopefully no one up there is as clueless as you.

      Delete
    21. I think you wrote the book on clueless, and you can keep it, you'll need it for the day you wake up homeless under a decrepit quebec bridge and a huge piece of corroded cement is about to fall on your head.

      On the upside, if you survive it,maybe with some luck, it will knock some sense into you.

      By the way, thank you for expressing what a complete duplicitous piece of unprincipled crap you are. Settling for being Canadian for the cash-grab...like a common slut.

      Delete
    22. @anectote

      "I think you wrote the book on clueless..."

      haha. what a cheap line. what you write is all gross slogans. the day you stop and think your style will change.

      "...what a complete duplicitous piece of unprincipled crap you are. Settling for being Canadian for the cash-grab...like a common slut."

      err no. french quebec federalists settled for this. i agree with you it's a pity.

      Delete
    23. C'mon everybody! Stop feeding the trolls' fire!

      Delete
    24. You settled for it too since you admitted that while you're still in Canada...you're entitled to this money.

      You can't even keep your dumb-ass comments consistent...so basically you are Duplicitous and High. You'd have to be for spewing out such nonsense....lemme guess..you been hanging out with the crackhead in TO by chance? Lolololol

      Delete
  7. "Micheline Dessureault

    Good.....I was there (Fairview) last evening....did not pay any attention to the signs but made sure I was served in ENGLISH, even if I am French Canadian,I ve always spoken whatever language accommodated others. And believe me I have every intention to continue."

    Le client a toujours raison (Elvis Gratton doit se retourner dans sa tombe)

    ReplyDelete
  8. Fournier se défend d'avoir tissé un lien entre la charte et le nazisme

    http://www.lapresse.ca/actualites/politique/politique-quebecoise/201311/13/01-4710287-fournier-se-defend-davoir-tisse-un-lien-entre-la-charte-et-le-nazisme.php

    D'ici les prochaines élections provinciales,le PLQ devrait avoir perdu le peu de crédibilité qu'il détient.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Here's an interesting article from the New York Times written by a de souche Quebecer:
      Quebec's Tea Party Moment

      Delete
  9. Fournier is 100% right.

    If separatists can't accept that they're brainwashed nationalists going down the same path the Nazis did, it's their issue to resolve, not ours.

    Nationalism is for weak-minded fools, and that's why seps simply can't admit to what they are.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. @sylvain raciste

      "Nationalism is for weak-minded fools..."

      full blown canadian nationalists like appartachik and cutie003 will be thrilled to learn about your opinion on them.

      Delete
    2. There she goes again playing dumb...opppss, I forgot, she is dumb. Lol

      Apparrtchik and cutie, forgive her, she knows not what dribble she speaks. Lol

      Delete
  10. I felt this was a very telling indictment of people who automatically jump to the "Quebec Bashing" argument when they have no valid arguments to offer:

    "The accusation of “Quebec bashing” saves the ignorant, the blindly partisan or the intellectually lazy the effort of refuting the criticism. It also enables the intellectually dishonest to confuse criticism of some Québécois, in this case the PQ, with an attack on all French-speaking Quebecers. It implies that the criticism is not justified, but rather motivated by prejudice."

    As written by Don MacPherson.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Se faire traiter de nazis,d'ignorants et de racistes (directement ou indirectement) représente une critique constructive pour les anglos?

      Delete
    2. Well stop acting like nazis, and we'll stop critizing you for it, seems simple enough to me ...lol

      Delete
    3. Brilliantly said by Macpherson. I am so sick and tired of labels like "quebec-bashing"..instead of offering any rebuttals or arguments people just spit out this word to try and shut people up from asking legitimate questions. Its quite similar to the term "anti-semetic" which is thrown around loosely when anyone criticizes Israeli government policies or the influence of the Israeli lobby within North America.

      These terms are not much different than more general words such as "racist", "sexist", "homophobic" and so on. These words are legitimate at times but are often far too loosely hurled at people by people who have no real argument or defense.
      Instead of having a real debate on the issues its so much easier to brand your opponent as a racist.

      Delete
    4. @complicated

      "These words are legitimate at times but are often far too loosely hurled at people by people who have no real argument..."

      totally. that's why i never abuse the term quebec bashing. it's important to nurture word meanings. i mean, the hundreth time anectote screams nazi the effect is nill.

      Delete
    5. @complicated

      Ever hear the expression: Thou protests too much? I'm talking about pinstripes of course. The fact is the term resonates with her a lot more than she's willing to admit.


      Delete
    6. Complicated, the 9/11 truther who relies on notorious anti-semites for authentication of his bizarre belief, never misses a chance to mention Israel.

      Delete
  11. The link below is for all the Jeanettes, lol

    http://www.montrealgazette.com/opinion/There+more+than+path+female+empowerment/9156094/story.html

    @Editor

    I hope you will allow the above link to stand, I realize it is "off-topic" with today's post, but I couldn't resist

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. all right we'll leave it on, but only this time. try to stick with what's proposed in the editorial from now on.

      Delete
    2. Impersonating the Editor now??? I am sure he'll be just peachy thrilled with that, lol...lolololololololololo.

      Dumb and no sense of occasion to boot, but we forgive you pinstripes, as you were born quite 'god-LESS' (smirk) and ordinary.

      Delete
  12. UN GARS BIEN SYMPATHIQUE DE FRANKFORTWednesday, November 13, 2013 at 9:27:00 PM EST

    EDITOR:
    In your view are there any positives left about quebec? Why all the negative posts?
    Will you ever post positive topics about quebec?
    You know how the saying goes in the corporate world? To every problem/shortfall identified a solution is required. Not some bitching.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. FROM ED
      UNE ARSE, what's the solution to get rid of you. Did it ever occur to you that the reason you are in Frankfort is because you act like such an arse hole Calgary had to get rid of you. You're type never changes but people with brains seek to get away from you. So Frankfort was the answer. History does repeat itself, they did the same thing to Napoleon. Ed

      Delete
    2. UN GARS BIEN SYMPATHIQUE DE FRANKFORTThursday, November 14, 2013 at 7:09:00 PM EST

      @ED
      LOL. You small individual. Nice to see that you resort to gratuitous insults to make a point, old man. Go for a nap.
      I went to Frankfurt - I am now in Houston for 5 days - as a promotion. Nothing to do with Calgary getting rid of me but your insult feels good nonetheless. LOL.
      -----------------------
      I see that the "editor" prefers to promote all things negative about quebec. Typical quebec bashing on this racist blog.
      Get your KKK membership cards.

      Delete
    3. Gars: I have every confidence in the Editor, and if there is ever something positive to write about Quebec, I imagine it will be posted on this blog site for all to see.

      Delete
    4. How is talking about the commission not talking about something positive? They're trying to expose and get rid of corruption. Maybe this will help you improve your outlook:
      http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WoaktW-Lu38

      Congrats on the promotion, was it telling your firm about search engines and DOS that did it? Gotta stay on top of things in the tech industry!

      Delete
  13. This just in....more PQ hypocrisy lol

    http://www.montrealgazette.com/news/Drainville+defends+placing+church+bulletins/9161877/story.html

    Hahahahahahahahahahahhahaahhahaahhahahah, what a joke, how could you take them seriously?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. i don't understand the scandal, can you explain?

      Delete
    2. ..yeah I gotta say that was a pretty flimsy attack from the Liberals, now if he was placing Catholic ads in the assembly they'd have something lol. They really shouldn't need these stunts anyway considering how how complete hypocritical and onerous 30% of the charter is.

      Delete
  14. Excellent Letter

    http://www.montrealgazette.com/opinion/Letter+Marois+thinks+economy+doing+well+That+news/9160411/story.html

    ReplyDelete
  15. FROM ED
    So far this morning we have 15 sensible posts and 27 with Anectote leading on the trolls. He is the only one encouraging them and I wonder when he will be censured. It's ridiculous and totally selfish. Ed

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. FROM ED
      Troy is that supposed to excuse his behaviour. I did not ask the EDITOR to censure because I think it's the duty of all of us to save our blog. As you can see the trolls have 150% over common sense in posts. Is it true what Galganov says that Anglos sit back and let people walk all over them. If that's true , then this blog is all for nothing. Perhaps Troy if you care about the blog you should be addressing your post to Anectote. I don't care if she is male, female or in betweren. Ed

      Delete
    2. UN GARS BIEN SYMPATHIQUE DE FRANKFORTThursday, November 14, 2013 at 7:11:00 PM EST

      In that case ED, why won't you lead the Great anglo war of quebekistan? I hear that 80 year senile armchair generals are in vogue...

      Delete
    3. @Troy

      "FYI, AnecTOTE is a she."

      Indeed I am, I have no issue acknowledging it or owning it!!! Unlike some others who are plagued with an acute sense of insecurity and ineptness. I am proud to be a women! So thank you Troy!

      As for Mr. Brown, I think we've all become accustomed to his little temper tantrums. He still fails to grasp that this isn't his personal blog and thus cannot dictate what the rest of us post. Perhaps he was absent the day they taught the concept of "boundaries" at school. But honestly, I pretty much skip over most of his posts, as there is just so much "preaching to the congregation" one can do, and one can put up with before realizing we have to think outside the box and act accordingly. It's simply best we stay out of each other's way, he and I, he's elderly, and I'm on a mission.

      Delete
    4. "I am proud to be a women!"

      Je ne voudrais pas être impoli mais ce n'est pas l'image que vous projetez.

      Delete
    5. Ahhhhhh the image I project now? Really? I suppose I don't live up to your little chauvinistic idea of what that image is suppose to be ...AND PROJECT of course, lol, speaks volumes for the supposed "modern" man you pretend to be, what with objecting to the hijab and all.

      If only you knew how very loaded your two-bit statement is, and especially ...how revealing....LOLOLOLOLOL

      A Women is many things and this one speaks her mind and challenges the status quo, since mediocrity just doesn't cut it.
      I suppose you have an issue with it because it can be intimidating, I get it, especially for a little man, with a little mind and a little.....such as yourself LOLOLOLOLOL...(blushing) lol...Now I hope I wasn't too rude...LOL

      Delete
    6. @anectote

      "this one speaks her mind and challenges the status quo..."

      here's the status quo: quebec in canada and no secularity charter. i missed the part where you challenged that mate.

      "I get it, especially for a little man, with a little mind and a little.....such as yourself LOLOLOLOLOL...(blushing)..."

      you're anonymously laughing at another anonymous's weiner.

      you've given hope of ever being considered a credible contributor right?

      Delete
    7. No but the ship has pretty much sailed on you ever being one.

      You appear wounded pinstripes ...like feel hurt or something. You really need to grow up kid, your immaturity is showing Big Time and if I must say..it's a little awkward and ugly and you're just embarrassing yourself now.

      Delete
  16. Great open letter to the PQ member that opened up her mouth about the Jewish General Hospital:

    http://www.bill613.com/anti-semitism/an-open-letter-to-tania-longpre-from-a-surgeon-in-the-jewish-general-hospital/

    ReplyDelete
  17. UPAC: perquisitions dans des entreprises proches du PLQ

    http://www.lapresse.ca/actualites/justice-et-affaires-criminelles/affaires-criminelles/201311/14/01-4710538-upac-perquisitions-dans-des-entreprises-proches-du-plq.php

    L'interminable série noire continue...

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. @s.r

      they are cornering charest. bibeau was his top money launderer.

      Delete
    2. J.J Charessst est un fin renard mais j'ai confiance qu'ils le coinceront un de ces jours.

      Delete
  18. Would anyone want to explain to me why, other than for francophone separatist votes, the liberal party would find it necessary to prepare another charter in answer to the PQ charter? Why did he not just stand up there and say "Canada and Quebec have charters already and these are good enough for them and good enough for us"! What the hell is wrong with politicians in this province? I do not expect, nor will I read, any response from any of our three notorious trolls (SR, student, un ars as Ed calls him; so apropo) so don't bother. Surely the rest of you people have to wonder why any changes are necessary to these documents - I can't be the only one.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. The short answer, because a lot of people think something need to be done about "reasonable accommodations", which could be accomplished without violating peoples rights or done in a discriminatory fashion as the PQ charter does. Putting forward a new bill in place of the PQ charter wouldn't be intended to replace the charter of rights and freedoms of either Canada or Quebec, nor would it have to modify the Quebec charter like the PQ would clearly have to do for their charter to be in line with the Quebec charter of rights. It all depends on what the actual provisions of this new bill ends up being.

      Delete
    2. I agree with you but still see no reason to make changes through a "charter". I am in complete agreement that people shouldn't be able to cover their face completely when dealing with the public in any way and the "reasonable accommodation" aspect to me is simple: We (Canada) will not change anything that is going to cause a legal challenge through the court system and put that into a pledge that they have to sign when immigrating to our country. Telling people how to dress, short or long hair, beards, scarfs, all that stupidity is not at all necessary and should not require a "charter" or a "bill". Add any little changes necessary to the charter(s) already in existence. I may have missed it, but I have not seen the "charter" that Couillard intends to introduce.

      Delete
    3. FROM ED
      Cutie, I'll try to explain it to you again. This is a Francophone Province.The french outnumber us 8 to 1.They are the ones who elect the Government, not us.
      The Libs are doing their best to get Francos to vote Fedralist, meaning vote for the Liberal Party.. Do you realize that if Mr.Couillard goes on record saying that we have Canadian and Quebec Charters the French will see it as well as you. I'm sure he is sorry that it upsets you but I'm afraid he will not lose an election to explain to you something that is obvious to every one. Ed

      Delete
    4. Ed - that's not what I was talking about at all - God. What I'm saying is we don't need more stupid charters and every government should be against making up stupid charters not just the liberals. But the liberals, this time, had a chance to do it right and again had to make up a new "charter" for no damn reason and not to please the francophones just because it's stupid, unnecessary and a damn waste of money! Stand up and say that! Christ - what's wrong with doing things quickly and efficiently in this damn province! And stop trying to make it sound as if I'm stupid and you know everything - you obviously are just another blind voter that does not believe in doing things the GD right way - no wonder this crazy province is in the mess we're in - Convoluted, stupid, unnecessary, expensive charters and bills!

      Delete
    5. Cutie,

      I'm not sure on this but there is no difference betweena law and charter on the provincial level, on the federal level the difference is the constitution would have to be opened to change a charter which would require most proviences agreeing to it.

      The PLQ have not outlined what they would put into thier respective bill specifically but Couillard gave a pretty good indication in his letter regarding the PQ's chater, give it a read here:
      http://montreal.ctvnews.ca/liberal-leader-says-unreasonable-pq-charter-will-foster-discrimination-open-letter-1.1537613

      It's pretty much along the lines what you said is reasonable vs unreasonable to include.

      Ed hit the nail on the head of why the Liberals will be doing it, politics. As a political party they need to appease as many people while not going against their values, by introducing a charter that is more reasonable and will not be completely unconstitutional or infringe peoples rights they satisfy people who think something needs to be done, and they will not go against the wishes of their voting base. Democracy is the best system of government, unfortunately it's unpleasant seeing how the sausage is made some times :P. It'd be great if we could focus on real issues, but as the government the PQ is leading this circus and the PLQ have no choice but to follow.

      Delete
    6. That's my whole point thatguy - if the liberals would simplify what the hell they are doing, the francophone population would understand the basics of all of it instead of the bafflgarb and convoluted BS that they go through. You have to remember that he is dealing with a population whereby the dropout high school rate is around 50% and to doublespeak is the worst way to go as far as I'm concerned. Thanks for the link - I will read the open letter which I haven't had a chance to do but up to this point in time, that is how I see it. The more thick the BS, the less the message to the masses that vote in quebec!

      Delete
    7. @cutie003

      "What I'm saying is we don't need more stupid charters and every government should be against..."

      you don't even know what it is about and you're already fuming. thanks for the laugh mate.

      Delete
    8. From Ann
      @Cutie...the average person for the PQ charter (and there are plenty of anglophones in the ROC who fit this description), are incredibly misinformed and simplistic about what that charter really solves. These people rightfully are afraid of Islamic fundamentalism and the potential for sharia law if the numbers of Muslim immigrants are too high, like what has been seen in Europe. Based on this backdrop of emotion and fear, they think that banning the hijab will suddenly make the threat of Islamic fundamentalism and sharia law disappear. The so-called "feminists" think that preventing a woman from wearing a Hijab will suddenly result in these women being considered equals to men for those in that culture who believe otherwise. In other words, in their fantasy land, removing a head covering suddenly changes who a person is and what they believe.

      I read Couillard's letter and what he is proposing actually does address the fears of Sharia law and Islamic fundamentalism. His ideas make sense whereas the PQ's ideas are nonsensical and don't really address the issue they claim they are trying to address. Their solution is about as useless as their idea to reduce animal abuse by imposing a registration fee for breeders but not actually having any inspectors. In other words it was a cash grab that did absolutely nothing to solve the problem, but the stupid masses patted her on the back saying that was a job well done! As they say, you can't fix stupid...and it seems to me there are a lot of non-thinking people in this province. They have learned nothing from history and the Duplessis era and are going down the same road wanting politicians to control their lives.

      Delete
    9. "removing a head covering suddenly changes who a person is and what they believe."

      Alors pourquoi tant d'opposition à le retirer de 9 à 5 ? Les t-shirts avec croix gammée sont aussi interdits dans la fonction publique.

      Delete
    10. "The so-called "feminists" think that preventing a woman from wearing a Hijab will suddenly result in these women being considered equals to men for those in that culture who believe otherwise. In other words, in their fantasy land, removing a head covering suddenly changes who a person is and what they believe. "

      For the so called "feminists" like the Jeanettes, it is less about the preservation of gender equality and all about the fact that they just hate to look at a women in a hijab...it bothers them ...the whole visual aspect of it. That's the real reason. True Feminists will respect and revere the preservation of Rights and Freedoms in general, and will understand that the Ideal is non-negotiable. The Jeanettes seek to liberate and all they are accomplishing is the enslavement of these women, who will probably have to forego (if this dumb charter sees the light of day), their jobs, the very thing that makes these women independent. The ignorance of the seppie women is astounding.

      Delete
    11. Les femmes qui se cachent derrières des draps sont libres?

      Haha!

      Delete
    12. You're a little bit ignorant that way...aren't you s.r?

      I can show a ton of women who wear a veil and are the epitome of strength, endurance and absolute confidence, their sense of "liberty" exists in their very soul and they exude it with every fiber of their being. Take a trip to Dubai sometime...if you can ever afford it.

      I can also show you some women who are apparently very "modem", women who claim they are "Feminists" but are too afraid to even admit they are women for fear that it lessens them somehow and thus continue to hide behind an alias pretending to be what they are not, unwilling to admit...they are female....mmmm...you call that being.."Free"?

      Delete
    13. From Ann
      is a woman who shows off tons of cleavage any more free from enslavement by men? If a woman can argue that she is showing off her cleavage not for men but for herself then why can't a woman say she covers her head for herself not for men?

      Delete
    14. Je dois admettre que la lapidation doit endurcir le caractère.

      http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iX5-0xCM16k

      Delete
    15. You're as backward as that link...and hopeless....Forget you.

      Delete
    16. "if the liberals would simplify what the hell they are doing"
      Hopefully that's what they're doing with this new law, if they can put together something that addresses, full face coverings when receiving services, a reasonable system to granting reason accommodations, fundamentalism, throw in some lip service to gender equality like the PQ, and do so in a clear way that may actually resolve some of the issues, rather than create bigger issues like the PQ charter it could very well take a lot of wind out of the PQ's sails on this topic, so that we can move on to more pressing matters.

      Delete
    17. S.R wrote:

      Les femmes qui se cachent derrières des draps sont libres?

      Haha!


      By its logic then, porn stars are the most liberated women in the world.

      Delete
  19. "Le Parti libéral du Québec fut, dans notre histoire politique, un formidable instrument de changement social et ses dirigeants au cours du siècle dernier surent être attentifs aux besoins de leur électorat francophone. Or, depuis de nombreuses années, le vote des francophones s’érode au point où le parti représente avant tout et de façon très majoritaire les anglophones et les allophones. Ce qui explique, en partie, son incapacité actuelle à accéder au pouvoir."

    - Denise Bombardier

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Considering 80% of Quebec is Francophone and the PLQ has been elected to power a number of times over the past 2 decades and have garnered 46% of the popular vote in 3 way races, either Mrs. Bombardier doesn't understand how elections work and hasn't been paying attention to who has been running the province, or she thinks the elections are rigged and was asleep between 2003-2012.

      Delete
    2. Le PLQ n'est plus le PLQ qu'il a déjà été,c'est comme une version fabriquée en Chine.

      Delete
    3. @thatguy

      or maybe she's more relevant than you and is looking at the present and future outlooks rather than the past.

      Delete
    4. @ S.R
      The PQ of the past isn't the current PQ either, just look at how many former leaders have come out against what the Marois' PQ is doing.

      @Student
      "Or, depuis de nombreuses années" she is clearly taking about the past, yet what has happened in the past does not line up with what she is saying, Francophones are still the deciding population in any election in Quebec and over "many years" the Liberals have won power a number of times. The last election was lost not because the Liberals are not attentive to Francophones, but due to fatigue with Charest. If you look at what issues the people of Quebec are concerned about it's the the economy and healthcare ad not religion issues, so perhaps it is the PQ and not the PLQ who are not being attentive to their electorate?

      Delete
    5. @thatguy

      sure maybe. i didn't say bombardier was right, my point is she is worried about the liberal's draw on francophones next time. whatever happened twenty years ago matters little. the union nationale disappeared at some point you remember. and ten years earlier this outcome was unthinkable.

      Delete
    6. "sure maybe." "my point is she is worried about the liberal's draw on francophones next time."
      Am I to assume you don't understand time tenses? She is clearly taking about the past leading "Or, depuis de nombreuses années" up to it's effect on the present "son incapacité actuelle", she says nothing of the future, or future elections.

      "whatever happened twenty years ago matters little." "the union nationale disappeared at some point you remember"
      ...yeah 24 years ago, I'll let the irony of those two statements pared together sink in.

      "and ten years earlier this outcome was unthinkable."
      The Party was in decline since the 70's, they only won 11 seats and 18.2% of the popular vote in 1976 and that was considered a rebound up from 15% in 1973, the writing was on the wall for a good 15-20 years.

      I have to imagine you're only commenting to be needlessly contrarian because you persist on defending an opinion that is never stated by the OP, and the actual opinion expressed was supported by evidence that even you admit is completely bogus.

      Delete
    7. FROM ED
      Cutie, go back and read my post. I could not have made it any more clear that he doesn't want to release info until it's ready to be understood by the grunts in the backwoods. You mention that the drop out rate of these people is 50%. Exactly. Because of that double speak IS the right way. You've been talking to Frenchmen for decades , have you not noticed that their thinkng is convoluted? Ed
      Anectote, Talking to trolls is not a crime. have you noticed how Thatguy speaks to them on an adult level. When he talks to S.R. they are making sense. There is a big difference between that and calling Student pinstripes or lololololololololand hahahahahahahahahaha. Posts that are simply insults thrown back and forth. You have the nerve to say that I thnk I own the blog. You are the one that is taking all the reply buttons for yourself and student. That's hypocritical.
      Look I'm sorry I happen to be the type that speaks out when I see something wrong. If I see someone speeding through a school Zone where children are playing I will stand in front of the car and force him to slow down. When I see someone stealing I tell them to put it back. When I see someone being bullied I step in. whenever an action demotes the rightys of others it's wrong and I will speak out. Ed

      Delete
    8. FROM ED
      THATGUY, I'm in line with pretty much everything you say here. You have a good straight from the hip way of posting. makes it easy to understand. You make these intricate questions very clear. The one thing you've got wrong is the Liberals lost the last election because .of false accusations of corruption. No Question they came from the CAQ. Jean Charest will probably do some campaighning when an election comes. He was well liked by Federalist Francophones. Ed

      Delete
    9. FROM ED
      dammit cutie, if the Liberl simplify everything they do, as you ask, theyll lose the election. Nothingb is open and above board in politics. If you can't understand that it's no use for you to be dabbling in Political science, which is what we're doing here. Couillard is dealing with demographics here and as an experienced politician he knows what he is doing. Ed

      Delete
  20. Charte de la laïcité: Legault est prêt à aller plus loin et tend la main au PQ

    http://quebec.huffingtonpost.ca/2013/11/14/charte-de-la-laicite-legault-est-pret-a-aller-plus-loin-et-tend-la-main-au-pq_n_4275129.html

    Pressé d'en finir avec ce débat qui laisse son parti sur les lignes de côté, M. Legault a dit être disposé jeudi à «faire des compromis» pour se rapprocher de la position péquiste et adopter la charte de la laïcité.

    ReplyDelete
  21. First good news to come out of quebec since the PQ came to power but now we will have to watch how the sneaks go about introducing some of the agenda items:

    http://www.cjad.com/cjad-news/2013/11/14/bill-14-officially-dead-pq-language-minister?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Nice to know where these racist bigots stand and just how hateful they can be:

      http://www.cjad.com/cjad-news/2013/11/14/pq-says-charter-was-designed-with-jewish-general-in-mind?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter#comments

      Delete
    2. Charte: la députée libérale Houda-Pepin contre la ligne du PLQ

      http://www.lapresse.ca/actualites/politique/politique-quebecoise/201311/14/01-4710808-charte-la-deputee-liberale-houda-pepin-contre-la-ligne-du-plq.php


      Delete
  22. Se disant «sidérée, blessée et choquée» par les déclarations récentes de son collègue Marc Tanguay sur le tchador, elle a fait parvenir à l'agence une lettre dans laquelle elle se demande s'il faut en conclure que son parti a pris pour modèle d'égalité hommes-femmes des pays comme l'Arabie saoudite et l'Iran.

    Oh boy!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. What is with Quebec feminists and thinking that the government forcing women to not do something is better than having someone force them to do something? Gender equality, feminism, and freedom should be about being treated equally under the law and a woman's right to choose what to do, if they choose to wear a religious symbol how is the government telling them they're wrong any more acceptable than a family member telling them they're wrong for not wearing it? This kind of thinking reminds me of the mindset of maiden names in Quebec, instead of allowing women to choose for themselves if they want to take their husbands name (or vice versa), they force women to keep their maiden names. This stance is completely anti-women because it assumes it removes women' s right to chose.

      How a government not dictating what a woman should wear is closer to Iran, a government that dictates what a woman should wear, compared to a charter government which would dictate what a woman should wear government wear is beyond me.

      Delete
    2. Ce n'est qu'un bout de tissus à retirer de 9 à 5...Rien de plus.

      Delete
    3. "Ce n'est qu'un bout de tissus à retirer de 9 à 5...Rien de plus."

      and yet you're so afraid of it that you think it will rip apart the fabric of society if you see a government employee wearing one, and you will advocate violating individual rights and freedoms, the very things that make western societies like Quebec the great places they are, in order to get rid of it. If you think it such a trivial matter why are you staunchly for it?

      Delete
    4. Parce qu'il représente une religion (et une politique) et que le Québec aspire à un État neutre.

      Delete
    5. @thatguy

      "How a government not dictating what a woman should wear is closer to Iran, a government that dictates what a woman should wear, compared to a charter government which would dictate what a woman should wear government wear is beyond me."

      that bit is unintelligible mate.

      Delete
    6. @S.R
      Neutral means not taking a stance, by banning religious items they are taking an anti-religious stance, hence not neutral. Especially when they are giving clear preference to christian symbols.

      @Student
      I'll make it easier for you:
      A government (current QC government) who does not dictate what a woman should wear is not more similar to Iran, than a government which would dictate what a woman should wear (Charter government).

      Or even easier for you:
      1. Iran: Government dictates what women wear
      2. PQ charter: Government dictates what women wear
      3. Qc with no charter: Government does not dictate what women wear.
      1 & 2 are more similar than 1 & 3.

      Delete
  23. Des visites scolaires à l'Hôtel de Ville de Toronto annulées

    http://www.lapresse.ca/actualites/national/201311/14/01-4710885-des-visites-scolaires-a-lhotel-de-ville-de-toronto-annulees.php

    Une chance que le reste du monde n'associe pas le Québec avec le canada.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. S.R,

      Une chance que le reste du monde n'associe pas le Québec avec le canada.

      Fine. Stop using money and passport with the word CANADA on it.

      Oh sorry, I forgot. You do not have either.

      Delete
  24. Ding dong the bill is dead...bill 14 that is..LOLOLOLOLOL...next to go will be this Charter of the "pants" ....Canada said so...lol

    ReplyDelete
  25. Definitely worth the read...

    http://www.montrealgazette.com/life/Bill+must+fought/9166804/story.html

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. "Well a lot of "reasonable" person do indeed support this bill and for good reason. Unless any position contrary to the circle jerk that has become the Montreal Gazette qualify us has being "unreasonable"

      So is Houda-Pepin a xenophobic racist of the like of Pauline Marois now???

      What arrogance!"

      "Circle jerk" ? ... Ça sonne bien :)

      Delete
  26. Philippe Couillard envisage d'exclure Fatima Houda-Pepin

    http://www.lapresse.ca/actualites/politique/politique-quebecoise/201311/15/01-4710963-philippe-couillard-envisage-dexclure-fatima-houda-pepin.php

    Je crois que Couillard aurait préféré un coup de pied dans les...Couilles.

    ReplyDelete