Wednesday, March 26, 2014

PQ's Shocking Campaign Meltdown

As you probably know by now, a new opinion poll by Léger places the Liberals at 40%, compared to the PQs 33% and the CAQ at 15%, putting the Liberals in striking distance of a majority.

But even if the Liberals get a minority government, it's probably just as well, considering that the small group of surviving CAQ members would be in no mood to bring down the government under any circumstances, considering their precarious situation and the fact that the party itself would be decimated and either on the verge of collapse or in dire need of a rebuilding period.

If François Legault loses his seat (which is a distinct possibility) the party might collapse if the Liberals offer a couple of juicy cabinet posts for key survivors, a turn of events which actually would represent a best case scenario.

But the unforeseen meltdown that has befallen the PQ election campaign is another lesson to Quebec politicians that calling premature elections based on polls, which are notoriously fickle, is a risky business to say the least.
I can imagine the PQ ministers contemplating losing their chauffeured limousines and privileged status, ruing the day Pauline called the election at a time where there was no expectation of being defeated in the National Assembly, the CAQ practically begging the PQ for some small compromises to avoid forcing its hand.

Chalk up this election to the over-confident Bernard Drainville, who pushed the party into a hardline and uncompromising position on the Charter of Values, believing that an election could and would be won on the divisive issue, only to see his pet project fade to black during the campaign.
But that miscalculation can actually be forgiven, because at the time, it seemed like a sure bet. The polls were with the PQ  (oh..those polls again..) with support for the Charter in the hinterland, the traditional PQ base, overwhelmingly strong.

Now mistakes by backbench MNAs or novice candidates are to be expected and can be chalked up to inexperience or poor coaching and handling, but the PQ campaign is bleeding from a head wound, with Pauline herself the author of most of the PQ misfortune.
The disastrous turn of events that saw the campaign debate turn from the Charter to referendums and sovereignty can be laid at Pauline's feet and hers alone.

Party strategists are supposed to concoct what they believe is a winning strategy and handlers are supposed to keep their political bosses on point, but it's as if these tried and true political rules don't apply to the PQ and as experienced campaign managers will tell you, there's no more dangerous ground than that covered by politicians who ad lib or think out loud.

Good politicians are disciplined to a fault, seldom deviating from the party line, scripted discourse and canned responses.
The best can even handle reporters, deflecting questions they don't want to answer, or answering a completely different question when convenient.

I imagine that seasoned PQ organizers are shaking their heads in frustration at the utter amateurism displayed by Pauline, she is after all in her umpteenth campaign.

Marois is a feisty and seasoned debater when prepared, as we saw in the leaders' debate where she acquitted herself decently, considering that she was savagely attacked by all three of the other leaders like a pack of dogs.
When prepared and on script, Marois is a force, so it remains puzzling to see Marois so badly off balance.

Some of her mistakes are hers to own, but sometimes happenstance or good or bad luck plays a hand in political fortunes.

Those circumstances are unavoidable and as they say in politics and in life...Shit happens.

Who could have predicted that the arrival of media mogul Pierre-Karl Péladeau could backfire so badly. His arrival was heralded as the second coming, a man whose business success was supposed to give the PQ credibility with regards to experience and acumen in the business world, a glaring weakness in the PQ stable of talent.

So high were expectations and so fearsome was Péladeau, that Macleans magazine was moved to publish a cover with a picture of a confident and stern PKP, asking the rhetorical question as to whether he was the man to break up Canada.

But his ill-conceived fist salute to sovereignty and his opening statement that his entry into politics was based on his goal of bringing the province quickly to independence, was egregiously off-message.

Pauline could have quickly brought things to order, returning the discourse to established talking points, but instead foolishly ruminated on post-sovereignty borders, trade and monetary policy, a discourse that went over like the proverbial lead balloon.  

The renewed discussion of sovereignty and referendums was a subject about as well received by voters as an open discussion on hemorrhoids and so the PQ paid the price almost immediately.

The star candidate, was dead in the water and went from hero to zero faster than any politician I have ever seen.
While the PQ stalwarts overlooked his very real incompatibility with PQ philosophy, they were willing to hold their noses over the expectation that he would take them over the top, to a majority government.
When his ill-conceived sovereignty gambit bit him and the party in the arse, the PQ boo-birds who were holding their tongues were unleashed.

So far did PKP sink that during a press conference, Marois literally shoved him aside, preferring to answer a question herself, rather then letting PKP put another foot in his mouth.

 Pauline shoves PKP out of the Picture!
In that watershed moment PKP went from a dominating force, to a poor shnook that was a liability.
How the billionaire allowed himself to be treated so shabbily is beyond comprehension.

When you're that rich, you can expect that NOBODY PUTS BABY IN THE CORNER.

And so PKP went from a powerful campaign element to a sad fool, from Pierre Powerhouse to Pierre Putz.

But that wasn't all, it seems that other PQ stalwarts also made their best effort to shame the party with gaffes of their own, none worse that the outgoing Justice Minister Bernard St. Arnaud  who got bitch-slapped by the Chief Electoral Officer of Quebec (DGEQ) over his public pronouncements that Ontario students were trying to steal the election.

We hadn't seen hide nor hair of the justice minister for well nigh six months, as he desperately avoided the obligation to answer questions over the legality of the Charter of Values., so his inopportune accusation against the students can be compared to the shy wallflower at the prom who overcomes her fear to head out on the dance floor from the shadows, only to make an utter fool of herself.

And so the campaign has shifted sharply in the Liberals favour, a campaign where Couillard has said and done nothing, a surefire recipe for success, or so it seems.
It appears that this election will be won by the party that makes the least mistakes, not the one making the best political case for itself.

To use a hockey analogy, the Liberals, after trailing 2-0 at the end of the first period, have come back to take a 3-2 lead at the end of the second. Starting the third period, the question is whether they can  hang on. It's too early to start ragging the puck, the PQ is going to respond with a ferocious counter-effort, highlighted by a nasty smear campaign and Couillard has to be able to get a lick or two in, of his own.

Today in the Journal de Montreal, another smear story appeared, this one dating back to 1999 which discusses who Jean Charest had lunch and dinner with, intimating that all these meetings were nefarious.
Pure smear. Link{fr}

Yesterday we learned that a couple of months ago, two senior PQ organizers were met by the corruption police and the revelation sparked Pauline to assure us that the investigators just wanted some background information about how political parties finance themselves.
What an utter crock!
We heard the same lame-ass excuse from Michael Applebaum about the visits he received from UPAC (corruption police)  and as the old proverb goes .....Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice shame on me.

Couillard has announced that he is going to release his and his wife's financials and challenged both Marois and Legault to do the same.
Pauline immediately refused, offering some lame ass excuse, a refusal which can be played for an advantage for a day or two..
With the campaign winding down, deflective issues are important and using another sports analogy, that of boxing, it's time for Couillard to clutch and grab, being ahead on points in the final rounds.

207 comments:

  1. "How the billionaire allowed himself to be treated so shabbily is beyond comprehension."

    Maybe someday we'll find out just how much of an exclusive piece of the pie he was offered in an "independent" Quebec. Imagine if he was in the cabinet that wrote the laws for Quebec's version of the CRTC?

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  2. Anonymous Buster of Shit ArgumentsWednesday, March 26, 2014 at 12:16:00 PM EDT

    "When you're that rich, you can expect that NOBODY PUTS BABY IN THE CORNER."

    PKP is the result of inherited wealth. A self-made man would never have allowed for such folly.

    The very fact that a man of his lineage has the luxury to rename himself after a socialist philosopher speaks volumes.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. ABOSA: Do realize that pedigrees who act like mongrels sometimes make mongrels. The grandfather and father of Jacques "Money and the Ethnic Vote" Parasite were pedigrees. The grandfather was a high-profile surgeon and his father ran an investments and insurance enterprise. The son was a well-educated racist politician.

      Sometimes you CAN make a sow's ear out of a silk purse. Pierre Putz and Jacques Parasite have proven it!

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  3. A lot has been made of the ethicality of PKP owning a large part of the media in Quebec and how he would have to either sell or put those shares into a blind trust if elected. Doesn't this kind of miss the point? Like giving a vaccine after a virus has entered the body, PKP not having restricted access to his media empire until after he is potentially elected as an MNA, misses the initial infection. I can only imagine the pressure to come up with anything over at the JdeM that they're publishing a meeting schedule from a former member of the PLQ from 1999.

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  4. Someone should explain to the PQ campaign that when the leader equates talk of a referendum with a "fear campaign," people won't be excited to have a referendum http://t.co/nuihmVt95H

    As well, I have never understood why people have never questioned the various conflicts of interest during her time as Finance Minister, with her personal ability to make investments on behalf of Investment Quebec, with her husband head of SGF.

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    1. I hope Dr. Couillard is ready with this type of information tomorrow night during the debate because you can bet your shirt she will try to pin the crucifying of Christ on him. If it takes low blows Dr. Couillard, give it to the witch with both barrels! We can't afford to have that party in power, even with a minority, and Legault willing to give away the farm (voting with the PQ on Bill 14 and the Charter) to keep his career! Two weeks to the election and I'm still as nervous as a cat on a hot tin roof just thinking about all the shit that can still come up. It is exactly like the Twilight Zone living in quebec!

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  5. Activité de financement de 428 150$: Couillard ne sait pas où est l'argent

    http://tinyurl.com/pqpgkpj

    Ben oui il le sait...Sacré Couillon!

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  6. Nothing compared to the 3M she and her crooked bastard husband have pocketed and that's only one thing we know for sure about her and the party. They too are being investigated so don't keep talking about just the liberals - as stated before, again and again, your whole political system is crooked. Get out and bang your pots and pans in the streets and demand that ALL provincial governments start from scratch - then you'll have something to talk about.

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    1. Déménagements: les anglophones sont loin de bouder la Belle province

      "Une enquête de Ici Radio-Canada Ottawa-Gatineau révèle que le prix avantageux des maisons du côté québécois et le faible coût des garderies ont contribué depuis 10 ans à faire croître la population de Gatineau de 5000 personnes aux dépens d'Ottawa."

      http://tinyurl.com/k8kf2ed

      Est-ce la réalité peggy?

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    2. @Angry franco

      Je n'ai aucune objection et ma question s'adressait à peggy,qui ne cesse de se plaindre des conditions inhumaines que le Québec lui inflige,à elle et ses voisins.

      Delete
    3. SR thinks he's a French Seigneur and that those that live in Quebec that aren't related to him are squatters that are just passing through with no claim to the land that they legally purchased. But judging from his comment frequency I think we can all conclude he's a basement apartment dwelling welfare bum. His attitude is another reason the Separatist movement is on a fast track down a shit hole and has ZERO resonance with people under 55 years old.

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    4. Savez-vous JF?J'en ai rien à cirer de vos préjugés d'angryphone (de 55+) à l'emporte-pièce.

      Delete
    5. Alors peg?Vous répondez oui ou merde?

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    6. You hit the nail right on the head, JF: Here is your welfare bum: https://www.facebook.com/roger.binette

      Delete
    7. "You hit the nail right on the head"

      Je crois que vous avez besoin de lunettes (double foyer) et JF,d'un nouveau marteau :)

      Delete
    8. Alors peg?Vous répondez oui ou merde?

      Delete
    9. I think you hit a sore spot cutie, poor SR is real angry. lol

      5,000 people move across a river because condos prices are half as expensive in Quebec, while they can still go to their federal jobs that actually exist in Ottawa, the Quebec dream! Then they look at the period from 2006-2011 and say look anglophones aren't leaving as much! So when the Liberals were in power before the PQ got in? Shocking! lmao, oh man another SR article strikes again.

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    10. Let's put it this way - they lay their heads down on their beds each night, go to work in Ottawa, shop in Ottawa and generally live most of their lives in Ottawa. As I said, if it were not for the federal government this portion of quebec would be vacated so quickly that the separatists heads would swim. Huge property tax base for them so they best appreciate why this area of quebec would never, ever separate from Canada and lose the equity in their homes. They will be one of the first areas to partition along with the natives.

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    11. But will they be allowed to vote in a referendum? Or will they try to ban federal government employees?... ;)

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    12. Good point - I'm sure, if they can find a way to stop them from voting they will make the effort. Nothing surprises me as to the lengths the separatists will go to achieve their "dream" (our nightmare).

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    13. @Cutie

      Indeed, any and all means to achieve their "dream", even undemocratic ones....proof yet again the cannot be trusted with democracy.....désolée mais c'est la vérité.

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    14. I've said it for years Montreal - there is no real democracy in quebec. All we have here are majorities kicking the shit out of minorities if that's what one calls "democracy". Mob rule - straight and pure. The PQ have proven, again in this campaign like in the referendum, that "they" call the shots whether they have to cheat, rewrite laws, pretend not to understand what is written and approved, anything that works to their benefit. We really need the UN here at every poll and registration booth to ensure that no one is pulling a fast one. Sick bunch of people, really.

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  7. Couillard et le PLQ : des opportunistes et des hypocrites invétérés

    http://tinyurl.com/oxw7dgx

    Est-ce nécessaire de le répéter...mdr!

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    1. 19 AOÛT 2013

      ZZZZ, it's called news because it's new, not because it's from a year ago.

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    2. Croyez-vous que les "liberals" ont changé en 6 mois ?Surtout avec la même éuipe? :)

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    3. Doesn't matter if they changed or not, the outdated blog entry is still about nonsense Saudi Arabia fear mongering that only appeals to the most base of intellects, and references to things that happened over a decade ago or so, all to prove the point the PLQ is as bad as the PQ? Congrats! The problem is with all of the fee increases cited the liberals were in power for 10, the PQ just over a year, I'd hate to see our fees and taxes after 10 years of PQ rule! lol

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  8. Des agendas de Jean Charest entre les mains de la commission Charbonneau et de l’UPAC

    http://tinyurl.com/l92zktp

    Encore des munitions pour notre parti :)

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    1. I like how the PQ is campaigining like its 2012 ;)

      -Kevin

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    2. It's ok, their platform is from the 1970's.

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  9. A letter to the editor in the National Post today said the PQ has it all wrong, people from the ROC want to sneak into Quebec to vote FOR separation...

    Maybe this election will finally put the question of separation on realistic terms and the conversation can be about what would really happen. No more talk of a seat on the Bank of Canada or open borders or shared passports or negotiations with Canada for some kind of special situation.

    Press 9 and Student would like that, I'm sure, and so would the ROC which feels that all the negotiating has been done and now it's time to make a decision.

    Probably the only people who wouldn't like that are the PQ who have been able to use the vague talk of separation for decades to stay in business without ever really delivering anything to the people of Quebec. And without ever even pretending that they are interested in all the citizens of Quebec. And who know how few votes actual separation would get.

    Maybe the PQ will go the way of Union National and Social Credit and all those other parties that have come and gone in Quebec and then the province could have left-centre-right parties and get on with the idea of governing.

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  10. Editor,

    This piece is a good piece, I have to say. However, one of the best lessons in life is "do not count your chicken before they are hatched". I know, I know that you did not write that the Liberal Parti will win the election. Nevertheless, the tone of your piece seems like the Parti Quebecois is already dead and just needs to be buried.

    If one comes back to your sports metaphors, knowing that you are a Canadien season-ticket holders, I can not help thinking about two biggest comebacks that I know:

    19 February 2008: trailing NY Rangers 0-5 in the first period, rally back in two periods, tying 5-5 and winning 6-5 in shootout. The biggest deficit ever to overcome and to win.
    15 March 2014: trailing Ottawa 1-4 with less than 3.5 minutes to play, scored three points in 3:21 to tie and winning 5-4 in OT. The biggest deficit ever in NHL to overcome with less than 5 minutes of play.

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  11. I agree Troy. My impression after reading this piece was wait hold on..we are still almost 2 weeks until the vote. A lot can change..we have another debate tomorrow night which will be even more nasty. I am sure the PQ will bend over backwards trying to dig up more dirt on the Liberals and scare people about anglos and allos.

    The PQ still have a 10 point lead among francophones which I find troubling. I still think the PQ could win but hopefully not a majority. We will see..lets not get cocky here. And even if the Liberals win we all know how inept they have been at managing affairs over the past few decades..so in any case nothing to really cheer about.

    Quebecs and Montreals decline continues in either case..

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    1. Yes and the press release of the Unity Group is tomorrow also. That's going to stir up shit like crazy so no one get comfortable with anything. It's far from over and I'm sure there are many dirt conspirators doing their due diligence tonight. Don't answer your door tonight - lol - I just hope it's not a full moon because the nuts will be running all over the place.

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  12. http://www.journaldemontreal.com/2014/03/25/malaise-devant-lexpansion-de-la-communaute-juive-hassidique

    Oh no! The Jews are here. Hunny! Time to pack up the car! You get the kids! Anytime I hear the sentence...."But I'm not an Xenophobe, racist or bigot"....Point them to this article and then read the comments. I believe that recent article on CBC and Radio-Canada's website that mentioned how a large percentage of Quebecers were racist was exactly true and shows exactly what is wrong with this province. Fear of the unknown. A large percentage of them have never seen someone that is black, an immigrant or a religion different than Christianity and are way behind the times when it comes to integration and acceptance.

    Some commentators even mentioned how they moved north to get away from people like them. What are they going to do every time someone different than them moves up north as well? Are they going to move to the Arctic?

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    1. I'd also like to pint out that there are a few commentators on that site that have at least exposed what was said.

      This is from someone named jurgel. I think that he's got the right idea and comment and should give us some hope that not everybody who comments there is a racist.

      "lol voici un histoire de c... Ma tante habite a cote-des-neiges depuis les années 60 sur la rue Kent ou la plupart (80%) des gens sur cette rue est Juive Hassidique et ma tante n'a jamais eu de problème avec eux. J'ai aussi eu une expérience avec un vieux Juif hassidique qui ne pouvait pas allumer son AC parce que c’était le jour du Sabbat et il m'a demander si je pouvais le faire pour lui parce qu'il n'avait pas le droit de le faire lui même, j'ai aidé le monsieur parce que mes parents ma toujours éduquer d'aider d'autre monde quand c'est nécessaire.

      Je vais être honnête et dire que je suis pas d'accord avec les religions extrémistes mais je ne vais pas aller a l’extrême et de jugé d'autre monde parce qu'ils sont différent, Il y a tellement de gens qui juge les autres mais ils ne se regardent pas dans le miroir.

      Et maintenant vous savez pourquoi le ROC et les autres pays nous prends pour des personnes qui on des tendances raciste/xénophobe..."

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    2. "Some commentators even mentioned how they moved north to get away from people like them. What are they going to do every time someone different than them moves up north as well? Are they going to move to the Arctic?"

      They won't move to the Arctic because there are too many 'damned' Inuit up there.

      A few years ago I met a former leader of the PQ (while the party was in opposition) while fishing in Quebec's Arctic Ungava region. He told me that the limited autonomy of the Inuit in the area "was a comedy." The bigotry in the PQ reaches all the way to the top.

      ------------------------

      When P. Karl Peladeau made his fist salute to sovereignty he should have opened up his hand and kept his fingers together....I wouldn't be surprised if he shares his daddy's dislike of Jews.

      Delete
  13. EDITOR: Thanks for the good laugh during my work break. It truly is a comedey of errors and I almost can't help but wonder if in reality PKPutz is sabotaging the campaign to thwart the separatists' master plan. With a one-line remark and a communist salute he has managed to totally derail the separatist party.

    On the flip side, I'm just as deeply disappointed because I want these stooges out of my country unless Harper is finally smart enough to cut back Quebec's transfer payments to the bone..

    While Couillard would stave off the endless yakety-yak of separation for another four years should he luck out with his majority, it's not as if Ed and Cutie will see some sort of repeal of Bill 101 or its disciples (Bills 104, 178, 86, 104: The Sequel, etc. ETC. ETC, and its ascendants (Bill 1, 22, 63...blah, BLAH BLAH zzzzzzzzz...

    The OQLF will continue to do OQLF stuff, the SSJB and welfare bums who have nothing else better to do than be shit disturbers will continue to file shit disturbing complaints over apostrophes and handwritten signs in English, and the status quo will prevail in Quebec...just like it has for the past 40+ years. On April 8th, we're back to mediocrity...well...YOU all are.

    Enjoy the remainder of your mediocre years in Quebec!

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    1. Et je suppose que vous allez revenir polluer ce blogue avec vos éternelles frustrations.

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    2. Let's look at it this way...

      The Liberals are essentially thugs that are clean-cut and dressed in suits. They kick, punch, spit on and stab you, but in a very quiet and discrete manner, so not to draw attention. You don't agree with the way they treat you, but willfully accept it because they promise they won't bite you, like their counterparts.

      The PQ too are thugs, but visually fit the part as sleaze and in no way try and conceal who and what they are. They kick, punch, spit on and stab you, but do so in a wild and crazy manner, yelling and screaming to the point of attracting the attention of everyone around. You don't agree with the way they treat you either, but willfully accept it because if you don't, they threaten to bite you too!

      So in summary, you'll be attacked and abused in the very same way by the PQ and Liberals. The only plus is with the PQ, because they're so crazy and over the top, there's a good chance your neighbors, including those living hundreds of miles away, will start to take notice and COULD one day intervene, putting a stop to all this abuse. Liberals? Not a chance, they do their beatings behind closed doors and bribe you to shut up and keep quiet by promising never, ever, ever to bite.

      After 40 years, I rather this all just come to an end, enough suffering. Not even another 4 years of it is OK!

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    3. You may get your wish Apple - two weeks is a long time in politics in this province. We have no idea what's going to happen day to day let alone two weeks. How do you want it to end? If we get the PQ we're screwed faster than if the liberals get in but how do you think it will "end"?

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    4. Cutie - A few weeks ago I predicted there were only two possible outcomes to this election: A PQ majority or a PQ minority. Now I'm not so certain...

      On one hand, we have the PQ shooting themselves in the foot (maybe head?) by bringing in Peladeau. The moment he raised his fist and shouted "un pays!", he sent the party into a nose dive and the polls seem to confirm that. I'm thinking though, the Liberals have now hit their peak in the polls and we still have two weeks to go....there is a possibility they could start heading back down in that time. And polls can't always be trusted of course. More than that, I still can't help but think back to 1998 when the Liberals beat the PQ in the popular vote percentage yet the PQ won a majority!

      Hmm. It will also be interesting to see if Quebecers break their voting tradition for the FIRST TIME in 40 years. Two terms Liberals....two terms PQ, never changed once. Or the latest trend I've noticed, a slight temporary divergence if you will: voting in a party with a minority, and then giving them a majority the next term (i.e. flirting with a 3rd party before going back to the status quo).

      I really don't know what will happen...and I think we're all going to be anxious until April 7th. Honestly though, I don't see a good outcome either way. I won't be happy if either party wins a majority. Well I don't know about you, but I'm voting for the Green party.

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    5. Everyone had to vote the way they see fit Apple and I don't blame you or Mr. Sauga for the way either one of you feel about this province and it's hateful political system. I too hate being between a rock and a hard place all the time and I have to vote between a quick death and a slow death. And "anxious" is a nice word for what federalists feel every time there is an election in this damned province. If we didn't have politicians, this would be a nice place to live. Unfortunately, they ruin it for all of us, separatists included except the separatists are too stupid to see this.

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    6. Cutie and Apple: Thank you both for your rational, constructive views on my thread. The real sad thing in all this is seeing how you both seem to be planted where you are and relocation may at this time be difficult...but not impossible. Hopefully you won't in the end be forced to relocate, and if you must fight to the bitter end, then hopefully you'll be able to create solutions for yourselves you can live with...possibly staying put, possibly not.

      I was fortunate (or unfortunate) to play my hunch, and moving away was a gamble that seems to have paid off, if for no other reason than I don't have the political angst here I would have had I chosen to stay. Unfortunately, however, the Ontario Liberals are proving to be incompetent numbnuts as well, but hopefully we'll change things for the better when an election is called...probably during the fall.

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    7. I'm pretty old to start over again Mr. Sauga and I have a few good reasons to remain where I am - not that I like it - it's horrible to say the least. I'm sure Apple is in similar circumstances as a lot of us are. Meanwhile, we will do all we can to retain as much as we can of both our rights and our sanity. I'm glad that you at least have peace of mind in Ontario although Hudac (not sure of the spelling at the moment) does not seem to have the personality to pull off much of a campaign to oust the liberals. Also don't know much about Wynn herself but she got stuck with the mistakes made by her predecessor with his crazy wind mills - which you have noted I'm sure that Miss Piggy is now trying here and have proven to be a lost cause. One has to wonder exactly just how intelligent these people are. Anyway, you still have a lot less problems than quebec which is, I'm sure, a great relief to you!

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    8. @wendy ramsey

      "I'm pretty old..."

      i agree.

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    9. Great contribution student, really bringing that student A game. lmao

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    10. @whowhatzit

      "Great contribution student..."

      thanks mate.

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  14. NP Matt Gurney: Good news for Canada: Even the separatists can’t talk about separation. March 26, 2014

    http://bit.ly/1rBeW5w

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  15. Ahh quick someone get Pauline on the line! Seniors are trying to steal the election now! lmao

    http://tinyurl.com/o7yerns

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    1. Mes parents (Très Péquistes) vivent en Floride depuis 3 ans :)

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    2. UN GARS BIEN SYMAPATHIQUE DE FRANKFORTWednesday, March 26, 2014 at 5:46:00 PM EDT

      Press couilles dit:
      "Mes parents (Très Péquistes) vivent en Floride depuis 3 ans :)"

      Bon, encore des colonises d'anglo-saxons....
      A quand les quebecois seront assez fiers pour crisser leur camp du Canada?

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    3. "Bon, encore des colonises d'anglo-saxons..."

      Lmao, oh man that one got me.

      "A quand les quebecois seront assez fiers pour crisser leur camp du Canada?"

      Apparently they already have, down to Florida to have some fun in the sun.

      "Quebecers are eligible to vote by correspondence if they have been living outside of Quebec for no more than two years." Hmm well if your parents try to vote then they'll be committing voter fraud! Living in Florida for 3 years, based on your anti-anglo paranoia, they must be unilingual anglos now! lol.

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    4. Undoubtedly Press 9's parents have reinforced the absolute disdain that many Floridians have for the Quebecois living in their midst.

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    5. You know there's times I feel very very sorry for them - really - they aren't liked anywhere -
      France does NOT like them - The ROC are fed up of them - and trust me you have no idea how much the Floridians hate them - I have many friends in Florida who tell me they're worse than the Mexicans - ( racists I know - but maybe that's why the Quebecois feel at home there LMHO )

      Delete
    6. Just wait until they lose their Canadian Passports and are on the CSIS "watch list" - their home in Florida will be on the market pretty quick. The US have enough troublemakers among their own citizens - why would they ever let traitorous citizens own property or even travel down there? They have lots of tourists - they don't need these bums with their loud mouths and their "flag" that they place in prominence over and above the US flag. No class whatsoever.

      Delete
    7. @Cuties003

      In all due fairness to Quebecois living in Florida, if they aren't U.S. citizens there's no reason why they should should fly their flag below the U.S. flag. Indeed, they don't have to fly the U.S. flag at all.

      Delete
    8. I realize that Mr. Cunningham - it's just there are a lot of Americans (and I don't blame them) find it insulting to their country when the US flag is flown and the quebec flag is deliberately placed above the American one. Don't think the separatists don't realize that. Just another way of showing their "superiority" to my way of thinking.

      Delete
    9. @Sicktodeathofitall
      I like to travel to France and have never had any problem with the French.
      Last time I was there I ended up chatting in the street with a guy -- retirement age or close to it -- who wondered what was up with 'all the young idiots in your province'.
      He was just one of many Frenchmen who paid a lot of attention to what happens in Quebec

      On that trip, every stop I made I met someone with a relative or friend who had moved.

      I think it shows that no matter how bad it is here, it's still attractive to someone.

      Kevin

      Delete
    10. @Cutie003

      True, that would rub most of us the wrong way. I remember when I was reading meters there was one apartment building in Takoma Park where a guy had the French tricolour on the flagpole beneath the US flag. I thought that was a nice touch. Later on, it was removed---I think somebody may have objected---and I was sorry to see it go.

      If I were living in Quebec, as a courtesy to my neighbours I would fly the Stars and Stripes beneath the national flag, but here's the rub---which flag? Somebody would object if I raised the Canadian Maple Leaf on top, and others would object if it were not the Quebec fleur-de-lis. The safe thing to do would be simply to display a small American flag in the window.

      Delete
    11. "Undoubtedly Press 9's parents have reinforced the absolute disdain that many Floridians have for the Quebecois living in their midst."

      It is no joke Durham, we have a place down there and when we are there we deny being from quebec, if it comes up we'll say Canada, and leave it at that. Even French Canadians who can get away with it (no French accent when speaking English) in our building will do the same, I've caught them red-handed and it is truly funny. It is a well known fact quebecers are not liked down in the sunshine state. They are perceived as belligerent and arrogant, a big no-no for the Americans, who feel that they alone have the right to behave like that, (nevermind world-wide), but especially in their own country.

      The other thing I am always asked about again and again when we are down there, (by hose who might know we are from quebec), how come we are able to speak a perfect English, and speak French as well, while many French quebecers can't mutter two words in English, well enough even to get by? Mannnnnn....If I had a dime for every time I was asked that in 22 years..Omg! I've learned to just smile and shrug my shoulders.

      Delete
    12. "we deny being from quebec"

      Menteuse et malhonnête en plus...Haha!

      Delete
    13. Really?

      I am not running for public office buddy, but that is what you should be saying about your fearless leader at the PQ...words WOULD never be more true! But let's see who quickly YOU are to own that truth....'those in glass houses"..(you little shit).

      Delete
    14. Hypocrite et honteuse...smh

      Delete
    15. FINALLY!! At least you can admit THAT about your precious Mme Marois! Congrats.

      Maybe there is hope for you yet!! And maybe you're one of those pq kittens born yesterday, but who today, can finally open their eyes? LOL HAHA..
      (Loved that little story btw)

      Delete
    16. The real shame is that people avoid admitting they're from this backwater of a province because they don't want to be associated with the shitty behavior of those of your ilk.

      Montreal ville-etat is not being dishonest by stating she's from Canada. After all, that is the country indicated on her passport.

      Delete
    17. Just to be clear, my comment above was directed at Press 9.

      Delete
    18. Thanks for that Durham, maybe he'll understand it better if I say that... I pull a "Pauline Marois"! I handle it the way she is handling the whole Blanchet/FTQ affair, whereby she doesn't "actually" deny it, just avoids talking about it!

      Delete
    19. Ps: btw, I did the same thing in France.

      Delete
    20. @durham

      "Montreal ville-etat is not being dishonest by stating she's from Canada."

      he denies being from quebec. his own words. yes it's dishonest.

      and you, are you dishonest or do you lack minimum reading comprehension skills to constructively participate in an internet forum?

      Delete
    21. Quebec is like a drunk and abusive parent, people don't want to talk about being associated with it.

      Delete
  16. UN GARS BIEN SYMPATHIQUE DE FRANKFORTWednesday, March 26, 2014 at 5:51:00 PM EDT

    Message a PRESS COUILLES, YL, MARDAHMED, STUDENT & autres separeux:

    Cessez d'etre sur ce site et focussez vos efforts a convaincre les indecis, les CAQistes et QS a voter pour le PQ le 7 avril.
    Vous ne parveneriez jamais a rien qui vaille ici. A moins que vous etes des branleux & des vrais quebecois avec des grandes yeules, arretez de faire vos bitchs ici et guidez vos concitoyens vers la terre promise.

    Pourtant pas complique, caliss.

    ReplyDelete
  17. In Quebec, a dim future for sovereignty , Lysiane Gagnon, The Globe and Mail, Wednesday, Mar. 26 2014

    http://bit.ly/1pzahgA

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Can you please post the article here as it is behind a paywall?

      Delete
    2. You could simply delete your “G&M counter” cookie from your browser to reset your article counter to zero (or delete all G&M cookies if you find that easier), or use a different altogether to view the page. Nevertheless, here it is:

      IN QUEBEC, A DIM FUTURE FOR SOVEREIGNTY
      LYSIANE GAGNON
      Special to The Globe and Mail
      Published Wednesday, Mar. 26 2014

      Two-thirds of Quebeckers, including 20 per cent of those who would vote Yes, do not want a referendum on sovereignty. And even though Premier Pauline Marois keeps vowing that she won’t call a referendum unless Quebeckers are “ready” for it, most voters are sure that the Parti Québécois, if re-elected with a majority, will hold one.

      That’s why Ms. Marois’s PQ lags behind the Quebec Liberal Party in voting intentions by as much as seven points, according to a Léger survey published Tuesday.
      Such staunch refusal of a referendum is itself proof that a huge majority of Quebeckers are not sovereigntists. Otherwise, they would wish for a referendum, since it’s the only way to achieve sovereignty.

      True, there are several reasons why people oppose holding a referendum. Some don’t want to go through this painful and divisive operation for a third time. Some sovereigntists are afraid that a third “No,” after the failed attempts in 1980 and 1995, would deal a deadly blow to Quebec’s standing in Canada. Some federalists don’t want to be put in a situation where they would have to vote “No,” a move they secretly see as humiliating. Since sovereignty is the politically correct option in many circles, it’s easier to oppose a referendum than to oppose sovereignty itself.

      But the bottom line is that people don’t want a referendum because they don’t want sovereignty – period.

      This is nothing new. Most Quebeckers have always resisted the idea of sovereignty, even though the ideal has dominated the province’s intellectual and political life for four decades.

      In 1995, the sovereigntists came within a razor-thin victory – just 50,000 votes. But this was due to an ambiguous question, which let many voters believe that sovereignty would be linked with a close “partnership” to the rest of Canada. The mid-campaign appointment of the hugely popular Lucien Bouchard as a future “chief negotiator” reinforced the view that there would be no actual breakup and that everything would go smoothly, perhaps with the simple result of strengthening Quebec’s bargaining position.

      The same strategy was used in the 1980 referendum: Then, the question was about a “mandate to negotiate” sovereignty coupled with a close economic association with Canada.

      Claire Durand, a University of Montreal sociologist, has scrutinized polls taken on this subject between 1976 and 2008. Support for sovereignty goes down by seven points on average if there is no mention of association or partnership, she says. It goes down by 10 to 20 points if the question is about “independence” or “separation” rather than the softer, less-threatening concept of “sovereignty.”

      Since 2000, when Ottawa passed the Clarity Act, which states that the referendum question must be clear to justify negotiating a province’s secession, the pollsters have stopped including the notion of a partnership in their questionnaire. Since 2008, average support for sovereignty is down to 38 per cent.

      If there is another referendum, everybody seems to agree, including sovereigntist leaders, that the question will have to exclusively focus on sovereignty. This makes a Yes victory even harder to attain.

      Prof. Durand’s data also show that support for sovereignty is lower than it was on the eve of the 1980 and 1995 referendums. The major difference, she says, is that sovereignty no longer mobilizes those under 50 and the most educated.

      What’s the future of an option that doesn’t attract younger generations?

      Delete
    3. The important part:

      "Prof. Durand’s data also show that support for sovereignty is lower than it was on the eve of the 1980 and 1995 referendums. The major difference, she says, is that sovereignty no longer mobilizes those under 50 and the most educated."

      Delete
    4. Les canayens-frança sont les plus culturés...C'est évident.

      La preuve : ugBSdf

      Un exemple de la relève souverainiste :

      "Anglophones tend to have a very one-dimensional view of the people who support the Parti Québécois. The stereotype is someone who’s not very intellectual, irrationally separatist, and xenophobic. To be fair, that’s unfair to the majority of the party’s supporters, and some of their candidates as well. To get a better understanding of the Péquiste mind, I spoke with Marcos Archambault, the twenty-one year old PQ candidate for Vaudreuil, a riding just off the island of Montreal. Archambault attended a public English elementary school and a private high school in Westmount; he is trilingual and currently studying translation at the Université de Montréal."

      http://princearthurherald.com/en/politics-2/an-interview-with-marcos-archambault-263

      Delete
    5. snicker.
      That first line is the kind of insulting tripe I'd expect from a newsaper written by McGill university students.
      And something tells me that it won't be long before Marcos Archambault applies for work and ends up being called a colonisé because he went to English school.

      -Kevin

      Delete
    6. Nice to see the PQ tradition of going to or sending their children to English institutions, then turning around and saying the rest of Francophones who can't afford private schools shouldn't have the right to do the same.

      I wonder if the kid is smart enough to realize he's a sacrificial candidate and will be utterly crushed in Vaudreuil?

      Some choice quotes from the full article:
      "You can’t talk about the PQ without talking about sovereignty."
      Pauline thinks you can! lol

      "Anglophones tend to have a very one-dimensional view of the people who support the Parti Québécois. The stereotype is someone who’s not very intellectual, irrationally separatist, and xenophobic."

      Of course not all of them! Just the ones that troll this blog.

      "In my opinion, Québec Solidaire isn’t a sovereignist party."
      Er, ok?

      "I can tell you that I am a representative of the PQ in Veudreuil because I want Quebec to adopt a Charter of Values"
      Yeesh.

      "On every single level Quebecers are different, and I think it’s hard for someone to ignore that."
      Hmm, I didn't hear about the discovery of Quebeconium, the basic element that makes up only people in Quebec lol.

      Delete
    7. "....Nice to see the PQ tradition of going to or sending their children to English institutions"

      You want to hear the real kicker? A friend told me not long ago that, rumor has it that Marois's own children...her sons went to Kuper Academy in the west island, (my friend's son told her this). I do believe Kuper is primarily an English private school? Doesn't it warm your heart to know what kind of duplicitous, treacherous and fraudulent individual ran the province the last 18 months? Long live bill101, but not for the Marois's of the world who want to stick it down everyone else's throat. Let's face it, she's not the stupid one, if it is true that her sons went to a private English school, the stupid ones are those who abide by bill 101 without ever raising a voice to it...that silent French Canadian majority again who sit back on their asses, only too-happy to abide by it, while having the most to lose from it. Aces all of you!! LOL

      Delete
    8. AnecTOTE,

      I used to work in Kirkland and many of the leadership of that company (anglophones) sent their children to Kuper Academy. It is a private English school. Not just primarily but entirely, from kindergarten to elementary and high schools. It is the kind of school whose students wear blazer and tie. It is of course, rather expensive.

      What makes Kuper Academy different from other English schools is that it does not get any subsidy from the government. Therefore, all levels of Kuper Academy is open for all who can pay, regardless if they are eligible or not under Bill 101. Lower Canada College, for example, is only open on the elementary school level. As LCC receives subsidy on the high school level, its high school students need to have eligibility.

      Delete
  18. The outside world sees us as an embarrassment to Canada and rightly so

    http://gawker.com/montreal-is-denying-students-voting-rights-for-no-good-1552001126

    ReplyDelete
  19. I thought Pauline said that her and UPAC were just meeting for a friendly tea meeting? Hmm looks like she had another reason, other than avoiding the corruption inquiry and avoiding testifying about her and her husband's relationship to the FTQ, to have called the election.

    http://tinyurl.com/m6aw5qn

    ReplyDelete
  20. SEPARATISM, ‘ENGLISH’ CANADA FADING IN UNISON, THANKFULLY
    RALPH SURETTE Published March 21, 2014

    What’s amazing about the Quebec sovereignty issue is how it flashes up seemingly out of nowhere, only to drop to a flicker just as quickly. It’s happening again now. The Parti Québécois was way ahead in the polls and expected a cakewalk, only to see its campaign blow up, with the Liberals now pulling ahead at the halfway point.

    When it does flash up, a peculiar entity called “English Canada” flashes up with it. Other than in relation to Quebec nationalism, this thing hardly exists. And what remains of it is just a shadow of its former snarling self — the old British colonial mentality bristling with anti-French sentiment. Indeed, as it flashes up this time, it seems mostly made up of media chatterboxes in Ottawa and Toronto.

    A few of them are immediately onto the old stuff — “kick them out,” “partition Quebec” — but the deeper story is actually that “English Canada” has changed profoundly in the last generation, much of it in response to the separatist threat — so much so that the threat itself, although it still exists, has lost its fire and is increasingly confined to ambiguity and desperate measures.

    Let me crank this story back in a personal way. I was in the thick of it when it more or less began, as a reporter for the old Montreal Star. I had covered Pierre Laporte in his quest for the Liberal leadership before he was assassinated by the terrorist FLQ. I knew Robert Bourassa quite well before he became premier. I even came within a whisker of being blown to bits by an FLQ bomb behind Place Ville Marie. I also followed PQ founder René Lévesque around on his airplane in the 1970 election. And I was involved in a telling incident in that election.

    The Star, like the Gazette, had ignored French Quebec until then, except as some kind of folkloric backwoods and corporate hinterland. The Star had started to open up. Hiring me, a bilingual journalist (from the Canadian Press), was part of that. Others followed, but there were few bilingual staff when I got there.

    The Star was being “liberal” about Lévesque, seeing him and his mostly young followers as 1960s flower children and student rebels. That is, until a poll came out showing the PQ right behind the Liberals. A panicked editorial was written, labelling Lévesque a “Kerensky” after the brief democratic prime minister between the Russian czar and the Bolsheviks in 1917. In other words, Lévesque may be a nice guy, but the communists will be close behind (the Cold War was on). They also strongly implied that French Canadians couldn’t be trusted with democracy.

    An uproar ensued. On the hustings, Lévesque was eloquently furious. I wrote up a short letter distancing myself from the editorial, brashly intending to hand it in to my own paper as a letter to the editor. Another journalist circulated it and in the end nearly the entire editorial staff — 40 people — signed it. The paper refused to print it at first, then relented, defusing the issue.

    When I first got to Montreal in the mid-1960s, I was shocked by the attitudes of superiority and contempt for French Canadians still current in much of English Montreal. To make a long and prickly story short, English Montreal is now mostly effortlessly bilingual, official bilingualism has been the law of the land for 40 years, anglophone parents all over Canada have been known to squabble over limited spaces available to get their kids into French immersion, considerable French-language activity and services exist in most anglophone provinces — notably the key one which is Ontario, where the last two premiers have been bilingual (as is the departing Alison Redford of Alberta.)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. All this may seem thankless when separatism flares up and the urge is to panic. But in fact, it’s working. Unlike in Lévesque’s day, when the young people were separatist, the young people are now polling lower than the old on separatism. One could say that they’ve become more cosmopolitan. They travel more. They’re all over Canada. But something else has changed, too: “English Canada” is more cosmopolitan as well. Quebecers with an accent are less likely to meet with unpleasantness.

      In the end, separatism needs an intolerant English Canada to bounce off from. It had that in Lévesque’s day. Since then, its rationale has gotten weaker and the game has been to search out new reasons that tend to be abstract and historical.

      Not to say that some new constitutional arrangement might not evolve. But that’s for the next generation. For now, even if Pauline Marois were to win a mathematical majority, her capacity to launch, much less win, a referendum is sorely compromised. When it flashes down, this time it might be for good.

      About the Author
      Ralph Surette is a freelance journalist in Yarmouth County.
      E-Mail: rsurette@herald.ca

      Delete
    2. @R.S.

      I thought that your initials were simply a reversal of "S.R.", but I have to wonder---do they stand for "Ralph Surette"?

      Delete
    3. ".........they also strongly implied that French Canadians couldn’t be trusted with democracy."

      To be honest, it is not entirely untrue however. I do agree with what Apple says in her post further below, the track record of both Liberals and PQ, when it come to democracy and upholding the principles of democracy, is not good, actually, truth be told, it is deplorable. From an Allophone perspective, I can tell you that both parties, composed primarily of French-Canadians have sought to crush the rest of us. If a bill 101 was necessary and imperative 40years ago, because there was an urgent need, and it was required medicine, it is no longer true. Today, we should be scaling it back on it, in the interest of the flat-lining economy of this province. When someone is no longer sick, they should stop taking the medicine, but quebec society has become a "language law" junkie, totally addicted, it is no better than a heroine junkie. Rather than easing up on the language militancy, which has maimed Montreal economy especially in the last 40 years, they want to further screw in the nails on the coffin, totally inebriated by the high of it all. They haven't ever even realized they shot themselves in the foot. To come back to what Apples said, ....should the Liberals come to power with a majority, it won't be long before they extent the undemocratic law of bill 101 to federal institutions (or at least try to), so they can appease that silent undemocratic French Canadian majority of the province. Let's call a spade a spade, French Canadians haven't exactly honored the ideal of "democracy", the no-value charter being its latest edition...(not to mention PQ being being championed in the polls to the point of calling an election over it believing it would be their winning ticket, speaks volumes of French Canadian society intolerance and lack of democracy) thus, I'm afraid there is a lot of truth to that original statement/perception that French Canadians aren't trustworthy when it comes to Democracy...this may be a harsh pill to swallow about yourselves, the silent majority out there who have sat back indifferent to the abuses perpetuated towards the Anglo and ethnic minorities all there years, but you haven't exactly been poster children for the upholding Rights and Freedoms....désolée mais c'est la vérité.

      Delete
    4. From Ann,
      I totally agree with you Montréal ville état.
      "They also strongly implied that French Canadians couldn’t be trusted with democracy." I have to laugh at the francophone moral outrage about this accusation because history has indeed shown that they are not trustworthy with democracy. First Maurice Duplessis and then the 40 years of whittling away anglo and minority rights. The huge support for language law, OQLF, Bill 60, separation at only 50%+1 etc shows that they are not that democratic minded.

      Delete
    5. @ R.S.

      "... but the deeper story is actually that “English Canada” has changed profoundly in the last generation."

      This is so true. Try and imagine the current mayor of Calgary being elected a generation ago. The premiere of Ontario being a lesbian 30 years ago?

      But the other thing that has changed so much is the country's view of Montreal. For so long Montreal was the heart of Canada - it was the financial center and also the cultural center; everyone in Canada either went to, or dreamed about going to Expo in 1967. And that was just one moment in Montreal's history when it was the center of Canada.

      This has changed for Canadians, though, and Montreal - and therefore Quebec - isn't much on the radar anymore. Maybe that's a good thing, I don't know, but it does mean that there isn't the same emotional feeling of "losing" the heart of the country if Quebec were to separate that there was.

      So it does look like that old-style "anti-Canada" separatism doesn't have the enemy it needs. Now, like most failed movements it will probably turn on itself and then fade away.

      Delete
    6. R.S,

      notably the key one which is Ontario, where the last two premiers have been bilingual

      Dalton McGuinty is bilingual. Kathleen Wynne is as bilingual as Pauline Marois is bilingual.

      Delete
    7. Being bilingual is going to help Olivia Chow in the mayoral election in Toronto - of course, her second language is Chinese. We will see more Chinese in Ontario elections. Remember, the Sing Tao newspaper has a larger daily circulation than the Gazette.

      Delete
    8. @Edward: No, it doesn't stand for Ralph Surette. I hadn’t even made that connection until you mentioned it. He is a former Montreal Star reporter who now lives in Yarmouth, NS and wrote that article for the Chronicle Herald in Halifax, NS.

      @Jay: It’s true, it’s annoying that discussions about Canada seem to be mostly about “Toronto, Vancouver, Toronto, Vancouver” or “Toronto, Calgary, Toronto, Calgary” and ever since the first election of the PQ, Montreal, the metropolis of Canada for over 300 years, seems to be almost off the radar, on par with Edmonton, Winnipeg or Halifax.

      @Troy: True, Wynne is not fluent and has a strong accent, but she does make the effort to speak to Ontarians in English and French (like here and here), which is a far cry from the Ontario in the 1960s, that era when separatists who are stuck in the past and who need a bogeyman seem to yearn for, which was the point of Surette’s article.

      Delete
    9. @ R.S.

      Not that it really matters, but yes, Montreal is now a "tier 2" city in the same category as Winnipeg, Edmonton and Halifax.

      The only reason it may matter now is that Montreal has lost its identity as "Canada's metropolis" (a great quote by Mayor Drapeau) and hasn't found a new identity yet.

      I have lived in Montreal, Toronto, Hamilton (which, despite what Montrealers think is its own city and not a suburb of Toronto ;)), Calgary, Moncton and Halifax and they all have their good points and their not so good points. But right now only Montreal is really struggling with what it is.

      Actually Toronto is still struggling a little. Toronto had no plans to ever become "Canada's metropolis" and was thrust into that position in the early 1980s without any preparation. So, yes, there are growing pains and I often think it's too bad that the old WASPy Torontonians don't get enough credit for the way they have adapted to change, it's really coming along.

      Delete
  21. From the Montreal Gazette...

    "A Liberal government would help Montreal build a high-speed train link to Trudeau airport and the West Island, while extending the métro’s blue line to the city’s east end, Philippe Couillard pledged Wednesday after meeting Mayor Denis Coderre."

    Not even in power, and Couillard continues along the lines of the PQ (no pun intended). He promises to extend the metro blue line east, where they are already served by the green line, but absolutely not WEST, where there are NO metro lines. The west island is mostly an English population, while the east end is traditionally French.

    Wait for it...it won't be long before we hear him rehash Charest's promise to extend Bill 101 to all federal institutions in Quebec.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. "Not even in power, and Couillard continues along the lines of the PQ (no pun intended)."

      Er, to be fair the PQ was continuing with the plan the PLQ made in 2009. A high speed train to the west would be an improvement and more economically feasiable considering the distance to the west island and the already existing rails, not sure where the problem is here.

      http://tinyurl.com/p2sh36b

      Delete
    2. There was a feature on CTV Montreal several years ago. It turns out that there are tunnel and rails beyond on the green line beyond Agrignon going to Montreal West. IIRC, the STM person said that the plan to add 3 stations westward of Agrignon was abandoned for funding issues.

      That is why I find it hard to believe that when PQ gets into power, one of its first promises is to extend the blue line eastward. First, the green line already has the tunnel dug and the rails laid. Second, the passenger density on the blue line is lower than it is on the green line. The evidence of this is that green line runs three sections of cars while the blue line only runs two.

      Delete
    3. @Troy
      If you're remembering the same report I am, the lines go about 1 km west on the BLUE LINE and come to a dead stop under Queen Mary.

      There are no tracks that go to Montreal West.

      People have confused a spoof by fagstein, and an article about sewers by Spacing Montreal, with the idea that secret tunnels exist.
      http://blog.fagstein.com/2009/04/01/secret-metro-tunnel-to-west-island-exposed/
      http://spacing.ca/montreal/2009/04/01/montreals-underground-underdogs/


      -Kevin

      Delete
    4. Kevin,

      I am pretty sure it was the green line, but I may as well be wrong. It just based on what I remember, I can not find information - even on CTV site - that corroborates my statement. Therefore, I concede, maybe the expansion of the blue line may not be a bad idea.

      Delete
    5. The problem with going west with the metro is that it'll hit the Lachine canal again and would have to tunnel under it which costs even more money. They could have had an overground section there, but Quebec gave the contract to Bombardier for cars with rubber tires and did not even consider other, cheaper, bids for cars with steel wheels that could have gone outside.

      At 300M plus per KM of tunnel going to st charles in the west island would cost ~6 billion dollars plus the various corruption taxes. Even to the airport would be ~3.9 billion. Adding blue lines west into cote st luc, along with lines moving to the north east (as opposed to just east) on the east end on the blue line make sense.

      Delete
    6. Montreal Metro trains indeed can not go above ground as they are using rubber tires. Also, according to Wikipedia the system is not designed for above ground operations:

      As noted in the STM official document, The Montreal Métro, a source of pride, the Metro runs entirely underground because the cars are not weatherproof and the electrical system would be severely affected by rain and melting snow.

      Looking at the cost of digging tunnels, why does the STM not consider a combo between subway and elevated trains? Toronto has such system. Bloor - Danforth (green) line is subway until Kennedy station. From there eastward it is an elevated line goes to Scarborough.

      Speaking of Toronto, while Montreal keeps debating line expansion until blue in the face, Toronto is currently expanding its Yonge - University - Spadina line all the way to Vaughan and building a new LRT line, Crosstown line, along Eglinton Avenue.

      Delete
    7. @Troy

      Yep, while in TO yesterday, someone was telling me they moved out of there temporarily because of the construction the next few yrs. This is what we have to try an implement here first and foremost...Forward-thinking. Lol

      Btw Troy, while in TO yesterday, a few colleagues decided to have a little intervention with me. Bless them, and I do appreciate their candor (and the fact that they have my back), they were trying to persuade me to move to Toronto. They don't quite understand why I am digging in my heals and staying put with everything that is happening. They kept asking me why I even give a damn about a province and a city that has kicked us, and continues to kick us, in the teeth. "Move already" is what they kept saying. Toronto is an amazing city, and I really like it, especially areas of Vaughn! But this is my home, and I would like to give it a go! I am not entirely against the idea of moving, although I am not sure where in Canada I would move to, if it came to that. But, we have to try, yet again, to solve this insidious problem of political instability. Maybe this is the year everyone wakes up and realizes the only way to salvage anything...is for Montréal to become a city-state, where bill 101 and the OQLF have no jurisdiction and power. In my opinion, if we want to jump-start the Montreal economy once again, those two things have to go, EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELY. Let's finally understand this, admit it, acknowledge it, and move from there. Everyone knows these two things are undemocratic and have been pure poison to this city, so let's grow up and do what we must FOR THIS CITY. The powers-that-be in QC city, whomever they might be, will not assist with this, or enable this endeavor in any way, and WE know it. It is for Montrealers to impose this...the end. Let's draw a roadmap to get there folks, the quicker the better so they can see we mean business. Personally, I think it frightens them immensely since they recognize this has a better chance of happening (Montreal city state), than quebec independence.

      No more holding Montreal hostage
      No more sabotaging Montreal for the benefit of Quebec City
      No more pillaging Montreal because of its ethnicity
      No more discriminating and maligning Montreal because it is different from the ROQ
      No more taking Montreal for granted and short-changing it

      C'est assez!

      Montréal pour une ville-état

      Delete
  22. National Post on corruption in both PQ and Liberals:

    http://goo.gl/xs8OqS

    ReplyDelete
  23. Couillard a eu un compte bancaire dans le paradis fiscal de Jersey

    http://tinyurl.com/mvdgy9w

    Héhé!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. So what? Athletes do this all they time and they are glorified, how many of the Habs players do this? I am not accusing anyone of anything, but I am just wondering, just how many..mmm?

      When you are clutching at straws like the PQ is ...at this juncture, you'll do anything to deflect attention from the skeletons in your own closet....which reminds me...let's talk about what is truly worrisome ...the allegations about Mme Morois's husband and the whole Blanchet/FTQ deal which has not been properly explained to anyone's satisfaction. WHY is this? Why will she not talk about this? Why does she avoid the question at every turn and try to attack other people's credibility instead? Is it because hers is shaky...I wonder? This is the disrespect we show citizens, now...mmm. De plus en plus d'ailleurs, c'est votre façon d'agir, n'est ce pas Mme la ministre?

      Delete
    2. Les preuves font toute la différence :)

      Delete
    3. "Philippe Couillard legally deposited money in an off-shore account"

      What a scandal, he worked offshore, banked the money offshore, then when he came back he brought the money back and paid taxes on it. What a monster! lol The PQ is real desperate.

      Delete
    4. @s.r.

      Just how stupid are you? Really....like if we were to measure it, to get an actual number, what would it be on a scale of 1 to 10? I get you are a troll...but is it an actual requisite that to be a troll you must exhibit the depth of your stupidity? To try and out do the stupidity you showed the day before? Is that the deal? And at the end of the week they give you an extra buck to make it a BIG $6? Like ..just for shits and giggles, I want to get a gauge for your true raison d'être as a troll, cause in the highly remote chance that you really weren't one...and just masquerading as one, you'd HAVE to be unequivocally stupid and moronic not to be bothered, in the least, by all the shit the PQ pulls with its own followers, the utter lies it spins, the deceit and double standard it pulls, with all of you, never mind the rest of us who don't count for them.

      At least when it comes to the Liberals, no illusions here, those who have and will still vote for them know the deal. Everyone is upfront about it, the liberals know we're on to them, so now they're talking special status for Montreal, cause we've made it CLEAR we're done with their bull, but you guys...you stick by the PQ while it shoves a 2x4 up you behind?

      Delete
    5. Couillard: Paid taxes to Quebec on 600,00 he could have legally kept off shore and not paid taxes on.
      Pauline: Takes 3 million dollars of tax payer money from the FTQ, and never pays it back.

      Delete
  24. Speaking about transparency...

    Former Alberta Premier Alison Redford resigned because of the expense scandal. Ironically, the scandal comes to light because of the transparency system that she herself implemented. You see, in Alberta all the expenses made by government officials are available for the public to see on their web site. I wonder what the population would see if similar system was implemented in Quebec.

    ReplyDelete
  25. Speaking about transparency...

    What does Pauline Marois have to hide?

    ReplyDelete
  26. I was so impressed by op-piece in The Gazette a few days ago, it's worthwhile to attach the link...if you haven't already.please have a read.

    http://www.montrealgazette.com/news/Opinion+which+Charter+allegiance+Values+Rights/9660128/story.html

    ReplyDelete
  27. Anonymous Buster of Shit ArgumentsThursday, March 27, 2014 at 12:24:00 PM EDT

    I'm not one to count chickens before they hatch, but with what's going on right now in terms of Couillard opening his books, while Marois refuses to do the same...PLUS the fact that it gets out that UPAC paid visits to the PQ on the day the PQ files against the PLQ, the end is getting near.

    Just look at how the likes of SR are reacting - and I'm not just referring to this blog. All over social media, the SAACs (separation at all costs) are finding ways to justify the PQ/Marois' lack of transparency.

    From the FTQ deal, to the UPAC visit to Boisclair's phantom offices to a lack of transparency, it seems these losers have no shortage of excuses to make.

    Face it, SAACs, your party is not the noble, honest, anti-corrupt party you always knew deep down they never were.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I KNEW IT...I JUST KNEW IT...seppies stand with blinders on and sit on toilet chairs! Mystery solved!

      (I'm not being sarcastic...not even trying)... Seriously, didn't you want to know?

      Delete
  28. Anonymous Buster of Shit ArgumentsThursday, March 27, 2014 at 12:27:00 PM EDT

    Yes!

    Yes!

    Yes!

    The Front National supports the PQ's charter of values. Hahahaha!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. please share your "reasoning". i'm pretty sure it's invalid.

      Delete
    2. "There is a certain irony to the Front National’s endorsement of the Quebec values charter."

      http://www.macleans.ca/news/canada/the-pqs-identity-crisis/

      Let the cognitive dissonance begin!

      Delete
  29. http://www.montrealgazette.com/opinion/Letter+policies+aren+good+Montreal/9663079/story.html

    Montréal pour une ville état svp!

    ReplyDelete
  30. Procter & Gamble subsidiary pulls out of Quebec market
    http://www.thesuburban.com/article.php?id=2893&title=Procter-%26-Gamble-Subsidiary-Pulls-Out-Of-Quebec-Market

    Yet another withdraw from the Quebec market, due to completely unnecessary language restrictions and laws. Procter & Gamble will no longer distribute its Nutra line food required for pets with allergenic health issues. This is going to leave a lot people stranded with no options, and animals suffering as a result, all thanks to Quebec and the QOLF.

    How long before medications are no longer available in Quebec because of language restrictions? Oh wait, that's already happened, my father was DENIED access to a potentially life saving trial cancer drug BECAUSE ITS ACCOMPANYING DOCUMENTATION HAD TO BE TRANSLATED INTO FRENCH BEFORE ANYONE IN QUEBEC COULD HAVE ACCESS TO IT. He died before it could be made available in French (it's likely the glioblastoma tumor would have taken his life nevertheless, but he was robbed of the only chance to fight it, however slim, and my family robbed of hope).

    Liberal or PQ come April 7th, this same old shit will continue, making livability in this province less likely.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Montréal pour une ville état svp.

      Delete
    2. Quebecers are going to have access to a lot fewer products in the future.

      It's just another acceptable cost of being unique.

      There is no upside to anything in Quebec except the "feeling" of being french.

      We can;t eat that, work for it or take it to the bank however.

      Delete
    3. Several years ago, Mr. Berlach - the Editor - wrote a piece comparing Montreal with Toronto. One of the point that he wrote is:

      While Torontonians are more prone to eat at American style chain restaurants (like TGI Friday's), Montrealers eat in neighbourhood bistros that are second to none in North America. Eating phenomenally well, at a reasonable price is what sets the cities apart.

      Now, if I look at this statement from a different angle, I can say that Montreal is actually shunned by many big restaurant franchises. One of the easiest example is there is no good place in Montreal that specializes in lobster. In Toronto, there are Red Lobsters. Also, the Editor mentioned TGI Friday's. I actually want to know a restaurant in Montreal where I can eat good steak with the comfort and the quality and yet at the price as at TGI Friday's?

      But more importantly, what does it say about the city's economic climate if big restaurant franchises are not attracted by it?

      Delete
    4. Interesting the editor should mention unique eateries as a Montreal advantage, as it happens, it's one that is slipping. Many of the popular bistros in Phil's very own neighborhood have recently closed for good. Off hand two recent closures are Carmine's Tuscany Grill on Cote St Luc Road and Asean Garden on Sherbrooke Street (and I'm sure that's only the tip of the iceberg). Some of these places were around for decades but just no longer want to operate in this province it would seem.

      And one of my favorite bistro restaurants in the Montreal plateau area had been around for nearly 30 years. To my surprise it closed recently, despite still being quite popular.... no doubt the owner was turned off by the political climate in Quebec which made them decide to call it quits.

      Montreal used to be the food mecca of Canada and much of North America. I'd say not any more....too many restaurants disappearing and the remaining ones, living off their past glory and nothing else, just a shadow of their former self (can you say Schwartz's?).

      Delete
    5. @ Troy

      "While Torontonians are more prone to eat at American style chain restaurants (like TGI Friday's), Montrealers eat in neighbourhood bistros that are second to none in North America."

      While I did not see the original post, it has been my experience that almost anytime a Montrealer compares that city to Toronto they are talking about the Toronto suburbs and not the city itself. Or they don't like Asian food ;).

      In this case I wonder how much time the editor has spent in San Fransisco or New Orleans or the various neighbourhoods of New York. Even LA will likely surprise a lot of people in how international it is.

      I understand that Montrealers are proud of their city but too much of this kind of stuff is so outdated it's silly.

      Delete
    6. Jay,

      Click the link. Mr. Berlach has a son who lives in Brooklyn and works in Manhattan. I am pretty sure he is familiar with New York culinary landscape.

      Delete
    7. @Troy: I remember that Montreal used to have Red Lobster restaurants, but they all closed and left for good a long time ago. Are they really any good? I don’t remember. I do know that some people drive to Ottawa to go eat there, though. Maybe Le Filet or La Mer are comparable? (although admittedly they’re not chain restaurants)

      I’m not really familiar with TGIFriday’s but aren’t The Keg (called “Le Keg”, in order to “save” the French language and culture in North America) or the very popular Le Biftheque about the same?

      There used to be a Planet Hollywood at Place Montreal Trust. It closed because Montrealers have better taste than to eat there or spend $12 for a faux poutine. Basically, only tourists ate there.

      I remember on the SE corner of Cathcart and University Sts., next to the old Old Dublin pub (and actually where the new Old Dublin is now), there used to be a Thursdays and a Fridays side by side. I used to find that amusing, for some strange reason.

      Delete
    8. Red Lobster is typical garbage pseudo-fast food american food..believe me it is no loss. Most chain restaurants food quality is crap anyways..there are more than enough chain restaurants in Montreal. If anything the world has been swamped with crappy american food and culture so this is one part of quebec I do like.

      By the way I have lived in Montreal over 10 years and have been generally disappointed in the restaurants here. In my opinion most are over-priced especially the french ones..the quality of food for price usually is not interesting other than some ethnic restaurants. You can literally go to any restaurant in France..even in small towns and eat very well at reasonable prices..here in Montreal you need to break the bank to eat high quality french food. The best restaurant I have been too in Canada was in Kelowna..yes Kelowna..the food and service was amazing..it was not cheap but it was worth the price. I have been generally more impressd with restaurants in Toronto, Vancouver and yes even in Winnipeg which has a surprisingly good scene. Montreal as usual prefers to rest on its laurels and assume because it is so french that they have the best restaurants..dont agree.

      Delete
    9. R.S,

      Le Filet is not seafood enough, again compared with Red Lobster. The indication for me is a lobster tank that patron can point which one he wants. La Mer is a fish monger, no? Does it have a restaurant on-site?

      Last time I was in Montreal, there were 3 The Keg restaurants. All of them were "The Keg". never heard of "Le Keg". In fact, somebody complained on Imperatif-francais on that fact. Besides, The Keg is available more abundantly in the RoC, and it is a bit upper scale of TGI Friday's. Le Biftheque was one of my Montreal favorite. There were two of them. One in downtown closed, one in Cote de liesse followed suit. I heard that the Cote de liesse one was reopened.

      The closest Red Lobster from Montreal is indeed in Ottawa. I admit, I drove several times there to eat. The next one is in Kingston. When I drove Montreal - Toronto often, it was my stop.

      Delete
    10. I am glad we are off-topic and for a while it is a relief.
      First, I never compared Mtl to LA, SF or New Orl, only Toronto.
      As for New York, I probably eat out more there than here in Montreal and can say that the only difference is the better selection of seafood.
      Montreal has actually exported quite successfully restaurants and restaurant concepts to New York, Including Milos, Pied du Cochon and the Mile End Deli which is tribute to the finest in Montreal Deli. You still find Montreal steak spice in fine stores in the USA and Montreal bagels still win top awards. Montreal has a food history unshared by any city in Canada, but who cannot admit that the reputation is fading.
      NY has everything and anything you can desire including the best steakhouse in the USA in Brooklyn and the top French restaurants in Manhattan. That said, at mid level, nothing beats neighbourhood restaurants in Montreal where a decent meal at a decent price can be had without calling two weeks in advance for a reservation. In this respect Mtl resembles Paris.
      As for Toronto, a the top end , the city beats Mtl for $$$$ restaurants, but while Torontonians love Red Lobster or TGIF and such, those type of restaurants can't make it in Montreal. By the way, my absolute favourite takeout sandwich in the world is the hot veal sandwich from Toronto's San Francesco. That should be exported to NY!
      Mt worst big city choice for fine food is London, England....yech.....
      After spending another couple of weeks in the Miami area, I can say the food scene there like it has always been for the last 30 years, 'trendy chic,' where the hottest restaurant today will be gone on your next trip.
      At least there's always 'the Forge'.... Can anyone say Chocolate souffle?
      Again everything is opinion which is shaped by our experience.

      Delete
  31. "@BDrainvillePQ says @phcouillard was schooled in Qc & should have paid taxes in Qc while working abroad"

    The PQ is really going off the deep end, what next anyone educated in Quebec shouldn't be allowed to leave? Should everyone also keep paying the employer of their first job for training them?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous Buster of Shit ArgumentsThursday, March 27, 2014 at 3:40:00 PM EDT

      Drainville studied in London, England - what was he doing regarding his taxes while there?

      Delete
    2. Good one Whowazit! Might I offer up a great tune at this time..apropos for the occasion. Lol

      'Desperado'...by the Eagles!

      Delete
    3. "Drainville studied in London, England - what was he doing regarding his taxes while there?"

      The better question is he sending taxes over to England that he makes off being an MP in Quebec? After all he was schooled in England, so according to him he should be sending tax money there.

      Delete
  32. LOL!!! Check the original article for the accompanying charts.

    FROM THE FRENCH PRESS:
    FOUR TYPE OF VOTERS WHO SHOULD WORRY US MORE THAN ONTARIO STUDENTS
    March 24, 2014 by Mathieu Charlebois

    Here they come! They’re arriving in hordes before the review boards, much like the French do on the Plateau Mont-Royal. As with Crimea being invaded by the Russians, Quebec is on the verge of falling under the yoke of university students from Ontario who obtain the right to vote.

    Their plan to steal the election is infallible. In Westmount-Saint-Louis, for example, they could give the Liberal candidate a lead of 13,000 votes, rather than the measly 12,718 votes that separated it from the CAQ in 2012. But Ontario students are not the only voters whose vote should frighten us. Here are four types who should worry us as much, if not more.

    1 - Those people who believe that the Coalition Avenir Québec and Québec Solidaire are interchangeable.

    Who are they?
    We discovered the existence of these people via a Leger poll on March 15th: 12% of QS voters listed the CAQ as their second choice and 13% of caquistes gave QS as their second choice. The CAQ and the QS, as the saying goes, are "six of one, three dozen of the other." While one is “shoveling clouds”, the other one wants to fire half the civil servants in the Ministry of Clouds.

    Why should they worry us?
    At first glance, these voters seem to be as bewildered as the 3% of Francophones who in the same poll said they believe that the CAQ will form the next government. Are these people an exception? Do they not represent rather the great confusion that reigns among the general population? The citizen who tells a journalist that "all parties are the same" may very well be serious.

    2 - The people who buy pre-wrapped baking potatoes at the grocery store

    What should one do with all the time saved with this product? Learn how to cook?

    Who are they?
    Completely overwhelmed by the complexity of what is commonly called "a baked potato", they buy their potatoes already wrapped in foil.

    Why should they worry us?
    Faced with a basic economic choice (three potatoes for three dollars or a whole sack of potatoes for the same price), they simply shout " OH MY GOD! Potatoes, already wrapped in aluminum? Shut up and take my money! "

    What do these people understand when politicians talk about job creation and trade balance? And yet, their vote is worth as much as yours.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. 3 - The people who vote for Option Nationale, but are against Quebec independence

      Who are they?
      Rad-Can’s Voter Compass informed us of their existence. The PQ often says that sovereignty is Article #1 of their programme. The ON writes it with a big black felt marker in the white space between the name of the party and Section 1 of its programme. One cannot be any more sovereignist that the ON is, and yet... "Option Nationale supporters are 74% in favour of Quebec independence. Note, however, that 25% of ON voters either disagree or are neutral with regard to the sovereignty of Quebec."

      Why should they worry us?
      Obviously, the debate on independence and the referendum has stretched out for such a long time that some people are starting to get lost in the muddle. Myself, I'm so sick of hearing about a referendum that I’m thinking of voting for the PQ. At least with a PQ government, we know that we won’t be hearing about referendums for four years.

      4 - The man who takes everything literally

      Who is he?
      While listening to the Téléjournal, a citizen heard analyst Sébastien Bovet say that the PLQ and the CAQ have "sharpened their knives" and "stayed up much of the night" in order to prepare a response to the arrival of PKP. Shocked by the violence of these remarks and by the fact that Mr. Bovet has no evidence that the parties actually did stay awake all night, the man filed a complaint with the Rad-Can ombudsman.

      As a result, the ombudsman had to write this surreal response:
      "It is difficult for me to imagine that Mr. Bovet meant by using the term" sharpening their knives" that the Liberals and caquistes had really spent the night sharpening knives for a physical battle with PQ.
      French, like all languages, has its share of stock phrases in use.They are obviously not to be taken literally."

      Why should we worry?
      When we talk to him about separating Quebec from Canada, he probably thinks about Pauline Marois physically cutting the territory with a chain saw. Again, his vote is worth as much as yours. And you know what they say: for every customer who complains, there are 100 who said nothing but thought about it.

      Delete
    2. "The people who buy pre-wrapped baking potatoes at the grocery store"
      Ha! So true.

      Delete
    3. Number one = People who are tired of old parties or people who already made their choice and they don't give a damn about having a second option.

      Delete
  33. At least Applebaum was an honest Anglo.

    ReplyDelete
  34. R.S,

    Regarding your post about Montreal not being the focus metropolis of Canada anymore, consider this. Since 1991 the Juno Awards are held in many major cities around Canada, with the distinct exception of Montreal. This is over the fact then Montreal talents do get nominated and win the Juno. Simple Plan, Arcade Fire, Celine Dion to name a few. Surely Montreal can run those festivities - albeit in English - better than Saskatoon or St. John's?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes, and it would be good to see an English Canadian TV show or movie set in Montreal. And I think this kind of thing will start to happen again over the next few years. For a while it has been as if Montreal has dropped out - not just of Canada but of North America, but it will come back.

      Louise Penny's novels set in the Eastern Townships have become huge international bestsellers. "The Trotsky" wasn't exactly "The Apprenticeship of Duddy Kravitz," but it was good.

      Here's a trivia question, which Nobel Prize winning writer has a branch of the Montreal Library named after them?

      Delete
    2. Scratch that... I thought you said Canadian Nobel Prize winner.

      Delete
    3. I guess it's a bit if a trick question - it's Saul Bellow:

      http://ville.montreal.qc.ca/portal/page?_pageid=8117,89113602&_dad=portal&_schema=PORTAL

      Delete
    4. Ah hah! Saul Bellow has a library named after him in Lachine, where he was born.

      Delete
    5. Grrr... stupid Blogger. Your answer hadn't appeared yet when I answered. Other interfaces let you see when someone is typing a reply.

      Delete
    6. He only wrote one story set in Lachine, near the end of his life, but it's a good one. You can read it here if you're interested:

      http://liternet.bg/publish24/saul-bellow/lawrence.htm

      Delete
    7. "Grrr... stupid Blogger. Your answer hadn't appeared yet when I answered. Other interfaces let you see when someone is typing a reply."

      :(

      Delete
  35. Anonymous Buster of Shit ArgumentsThursday, March 27, 2014 at 7:37:00 PM EDT

    T minus 20 minutes!

    Bring it!!!

    ReplyDelete
  36. Hmm odd Pauline releases partial tax returns with none of her assets nor anything to do with her husband...I wonder why she didn't release those numbers?!

    ReplyDelete
  37. In the debate, Couillard is far exceeding his earlier low expectations again. He looks and sounds the most statesman-like by far. Legault is good but his head explodes at Marois, who at least has learned to control her temper a bit more this time (though I’ll probably go to bed with “Madame Marois! Madame Marois!” ringing in my head). By complaining that the completely impartial moderator Bruneau didn’t allot her fair time, you can tell that Marois misses having pequiste Anne-Marie Dussault as moderator at Rad-Can. When David speaks, I keep staring at her casual clothes and thinking that she just doesn’t look like a provincial premier (though she’s not really expecting that to ever happen).

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous Buster of Shit ArgumentsThursday, March 27, 2014 at 9:34:00 PM EDT

      Proud of Couillard's stance on the charter of bullshit.

      He refused to engage with Legault on the most superficial aspect of the charter.

      With that he's proven he has the best head for leadership.

      Delete
    2. Big point for Couillard, he is the ONLY one defending English language and its speakers.

      Delete
    3. To clarify: big point for Couillard for me. It may not translate well to the some of the electors, particularly those in PQ's market segment.

      Delete
    4. Did the debate appear on TV in Toronto or were you watching it online?

      Delete
    5. David is answering questions in English this time... her handlers must have made clear her mistake from last week.

      Delete
    6. R.S,

      TVA is included in the basic package of my TV subscription.

      Delete
    7. Not sure I'd give to many props to Couillard he also said he thinks bill 101 should be applied to small and medium businesses, that along with saying bilingualism is important probably hurt him from both sides.

      Delete
    8. @r.s

      "...keep staring at her casual clothes and thinking that she just doesn’t look like a provincial premier."

      you shouldn't judge people by the way they look mate. you seem like the superficial type, right?

      @whowhatzit

      you seem to think that promoting bilingualism and bill 101 concurently is incoherent. which one of the two concepts are you not familiar with? or is it both?

      Delete
    9. "you seem to think that promoting bilingualism and bill 101 concurently is incoherent. which one of the two concepts are you not familiar with? or is it both?"

      Never said it was incoherent, just said I don't agree with one of them. Now you, you're incoherent, a general lack of reading before commenting seems to be your problem.

      "you shouldn't judge people by the way they look mate. you seem like the superficial type, right?"
      Says the person who assumes a judge wearing a religious symbol would be too incompetent to preside over a trial. You might want to sit out on any comments on discriminating based on what people look like or wear student, RS only said looks like, you assume actual ability and thinking from how someone looks, yikes now that's some prejudicial discrimination.

      Delete
  38. Remind me never to watch ICI.(RC), ..what absolute bullshit...the complete bias for seppies, by seppies, to be expected of course. This is journalism? Trash is what it is...the feel-good seppie club patting themselves on the back...with how well they did, ACCORDING to them..someone get me a barf bag.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. AnecTOTE,

      The whole second debate and its analysis and press conference was on TVA. The first one was on SRC (I refuse to call it ICI).

      Delete
    2. Montréal pour une ville-étatThursday, March 27, 2014 at 11:58:00 PM EDT

      Regardless of what we call it, it is... and remains crap.

      Nope ...these people cannot be trusted with democracy...it is all about them. And pathetic to the letter. The moment someone mentioned the importance of English, they pounced on him like vultures and Couillard was making an important point. But, no matter, give the masses the juice they crave. Nothing gives the silent French majority and seppies a real hard-on like the whole idea of the protection of language and identity, no matter the cost. Rather Pathetic.

      They have to hold a referendum and I hope they do...so that we can start tearing this sad little province apart, and Montreal can move toward it's own self-determination, away ...far away ....from the roq.

      Good riddance

      Montréal pour une ville-état

      Delete
    3. They are taking 40% budget of the whole system CBC and producing all bullshit leftist propaganda.

      Delete
    4. @montreal ville-etat

      "Remind me never to watch ICI.(RC), ..what absolute bullshit..."

      can you give examples mate? also, i'm curious to know where your french news intake will come from if you don't listen to src. of course that's assuming you care about getting different point of views over current affairs. am i assuming too much?

      "with how well they did, ACCORDING to them.."

      of course. according to whom do you think they should have reported instead?!? anglo media?!? watch out with the crazy stuff, people are reading.

      "Nothing gives the silent French majority and seppies a real hard-on like the whole idea of the protection of language and identity (...) Rather Pathetic."

      what's wrong with safe guarding one's own distinct and unique culture mate? it's a natural thing. you shouldn't go against nature mate. you'll lose.

      Delete
    5. It's taken you guys 40yrs to safeguard your culture, and you are still at it? You mean you still haven't succeeded? It doesn't say much for you, or for your abilility to accomplish anything. And the citizens of this province are suppose to trust YOU seppies to breath air into the economy? Will that take 40years too? Lol

      NEXT!

      Delete
    6. "They are taking 40% budget of the whole system CBC and producing all bullshit leftist propaganda."

      BIG TIME!

      THEY need a Canadian Bill Maher on TV to help them decipher the bullshit they're being fed, and help them think, one of their own of course, who has the ability and brains to be objective. The rest of us can see through their crap...but I'd watch for the satirical irony for sure. Lol

      Delete
    7. @montreal ville-etat

      "It's taken you guys 40yrs to safeguard your culture, and you are still at it?"

      of course. safeguarding french canadian culture will never end. there are many like you out there mate.

      Delete
    8. Haha!...student

      Et des plus dangereux...ToTo ne fait que jacasser,une vraie belle-mère.

      Delete
    9. "of course. safeguarding french canadian culture will never end. there are many like you out there mate."

      Most cultures and ways of things evolve overtime, meanwhile separatists want to insure Quebec stays in the 1970's.

      Delete
  39. Demain matin je vais aller à la SAQ acheter quelques bouteilles de Champagne et peut-être une ou deux bouteilles de Chardonnay :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Nothing says I don't have a job like some early Friday morning drinking. lol

      Delete
    2. UN GARS BIEN SYMPATHIQUE DE FRANKFORTFriday, March 28, 2014 at 5:50:00 AM EDT

      Encore sur le chardonnay, petitte fille?

      Delete
    3. @un gars bs de frankfort

      why do you call press 9 petite fille? is it because you are mysogynist or because you are a pedophile?

      Delete
    4. UN GARS BIEN SYMPATHIQUE DE FRANKFORTFriday, March 28, 2014 at 10:17:00 AM EDT

      Why don't you tell us why your PQ cannot bounce back in the polls... And focus on building a sovereign quebekistan. That's why you're paid minimum wages to troll here, mate.

      Delete
    5. @un gars bs de frankfort

      why are you changing the subject? answer my question first than i will answer yours. are you mysoginist or pedophile? or both?

      Delete
    6. I think student wants to know if you're into her or not, odd way of asking, but then again that's students shtick.

      Delete
    7. Les Allemands sont les champions du tourisme sexuel...Coincidence?

      Delete
  40. Just when you thought they couldn't be more absurd.

    "Muslim prayer could hurt Quebec economy: PQ candidate"

    http://tinyurl.com/k5n268s

    ReplyDelete
  41. Anybody here wants to pay more taxes than what the laws / codes prescribe? According to Bernard Drainville, one should.

    ReplyDelete
  42. Anonymous Buster of Shit ArgumentsFriday, March 28, 2014 at 6:38:00 AM EDT

    "Mme Marois...Mlle Marois...mm...mm...mm...Mme Marois, SVP, Mme Marois..."

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. @ABSA

      It was soooooo pathetic. I honestly don't consider that was a debate. It was a shouting match, it was highly manipulative and the 3 of them ganging up on one to score points...cause they basically couldn't do it the honorable way, and stand by themselves and debate, pretty shitty. The seppies looked like a cheap street gang...didn't you get that impression? David, Marois and Legault ...it was sad and desperate...well they are seppies, so naturally the will stick together, and the commentators at ICI, lol, also seppies, giving us their version with a seppie touch, WTF...and that's news? Journalism? I think they threw a pie in the face of what jounalism is suppose to be, last night. I was watching that trash before, ain't gonna start now.

      Delete
    2. Anonymous Buster of Shit ArgumentsFriday, March 28, 2014 at 8:09:00 AM EDT

      My take is that Couillard is distancing himself from the traditional lines of thinking.

      On the Charter, he refused to engage in the superficial level of debate - whether religion is responsible for oppression and decimating Quebec society and sticking to the fact that it's a very complex issue that can't be summed up by a mere document.

      By bringing up the cop with a turban, Legault showed us that he's willing to embrace the honky vote. When I'm in Toronto, I see turbaned cops all the time and...I...Don't...care. I fail to see why it would be an issue.

      Also, on the subject of French, Couillard is issuing the challenge to all Francophones to starting thinking bigger. Yes, embrace your French roots and love your language, but do not fear English - the key to your continued success and certainly that of your children.

      The comment David made about needing to learn Mandarin served to show how excessively closed-in Quebec has become, and that's scary.

      What the three seps failed to recognize is that at the rate things are going, a French Quebec's only means of survival is to remain in Canada. If it were to become independent in it's present form, la Francophonie that we know today would be wiped off the map within two or three decades.

      Delete
    3. Good, I want la francophony wiped off the map and Montreal to return to the ones who built it and made it world class, English speakers. Far as I am concerned speaking French should be against the law in quebec and should be punishable by 6 months in jail and or 5000 in fines.

      Delete
    4. AnecTOTE,

      Why are you keep on mentioning ICI? Last night (27/03) debate was on TVA. Or do you mean the previous debate on 20/03?

      Delete
    5. 'Good, I want la francophony wiped off the map and Montreal to return to the ones who built it and made it world class, English speakers. Far as I am concerned speaking French should be against the law in quebec and should be punishable by 6 months in jail and or 5000 in fines.'

      Right on, i love it......lollllllllll

      Delete
    6. "'Good, I want la francophony wiped off the map and Montreal to return to the ones who built it and made it world class, English speakers. Far as I am concerned speaking French should be against the law in quebec and should be punishable by 6 months in jail and or 5000 in fines.'"

      Yeesh, that's more than a bit extreme. Montreal was originally built by the French, English and Welsh, Irish and the Scottish, but it's multicultural nature has expanded even further beyond that today. To ignore or discount the historical or current importance of a people, or to try and repress or stamp them out would only make you as bad as the PQ. Rise above their piety need for revenge.

      Delete
    7. From Ann,
      Generally the separatists in politics and in the media are the ones who can speak English or are wealthy enough to not be hurt by not speaking English. The separatists writing on English news articles clearly know how to speak English. By screaming that French is threatened and there should be no English around, they are really looking out for their own best interests. They have the advantage over the unilingual francophones and want to keep it that way. If all the unilingual francophones suddenly learned English, they will be competing for the same jobs and perks as the bilingual francophones. By knowing English but making sure their fellow francophones are kept ignorant, they get rid of the competition.

      Delete
    8. @johnny
      You are batshit insane. Back to the asylum with you.

      --Kevin

      Delete
    9. @a bs argument

      "If it were to become independent in it's present form, la Francophonie that we know today would be wiped off the map within two or three decades."

      how could that be if quebec gets more control over its (please learn the distinction between it's and its) things?

      Delete
    10. Student perhaps it's time to re-read the rules of netiquette, and I would strongly advise you, of all people, not to lecture anyone on grammar usage.

      An independent Quebec would no longer have the rest of Canada to foot the bill for bilingualism. If Quebec would want French packaging, or dubs they'd have to pay more (or products will just stop being sold here), they would also not have the Canadian departments and headquarters to communicate with the rest of the English world, they'd have to rely much more heavily on English as they'd be doing it all themselves now. In sum it will be a tiny market that will have to adhere to the majority language, not a PQ fantasy where everyone else bends over backwards for a tiny backwater country. Unless your hope is Quebec folds in on itself and becomes completely insular and broke (not outside the PQ modus operandi).

      Delete
  43. L'UPAC a pris contact avec Yves Bolduc et Marguerite Blais

    http://tinyurl.com/ooeag8s

    Oh no...again

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oh I'm sure it'll be completely innocent like when UPAC visited the PQ, tea and biscuits will be served and they'll talk about boys and the newest innovation in knitting methodology.

      Delete
    2. @whowhatzit

      "I'm sure it'll be completely innocent..."

      i'm not. bolduc was miniter in charge for mcgill hospital project. you know how messy this file is. blais was in charge of old folks homes privatizations. i think it's safe to assume this was also plagued with dirty money.

      Delete
    3. For your reading pleasure:
      http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sarcasm

      Delete
  44. And here we go yet again. Another step backwards in this doomed province and a waste of taxpayer's money and time. This time I hope they win and we can get on with cutting this place up in a hurry. I want to hell out of this wasteland of a province!

    http://goo.gl/yyqG8u

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Les excuses du DGE bientôt sur vos écrans...stay tuned

      Delete
    2. Préparatifs référendaires: Le DGE dément et s'excuse

      http://tinyurl.com/qelk92w

      Et voilà!

      Delete
    3. You're right SR, even the DGE knows the PQ will never call a referendum, only actual separatist parties would do that, the PQ is too embarrassed about it to even talk about it lmao.

      Delete
  45. Les écoles new-yorkaises, haut lieu de la ségrégation

    http://tinyurl.com/kd8vqrv

    Ho!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. UN GARS BIEN SYMPATHIQUE DE FRANKFORTFriday, March 28, 2014 at 10:13:00 AM EDT

      Focus sur les vilaines choses qui se passent au quebekistan. Tu embarasses ta cause quand tu deviens hors minitions...

      Delete
    2. Ha! les vilains petits amerlocs :)

      Delete