The Headless Snake of La Belle Province
Ding-Dong the witch is dead!
Bernard Landry, the most vocal - and recognized - proponent of sovereignty in Quebec since Jacques Parizeau, has left politics (supposedly never to return) based on a confidence vote held by his party some two or three weeks ago (he retired immediately, I'm just slow in putting these things together). Interestingly enough, the move was a great show of integrity which actually saw my (admittedly low) respect for the man increase. Earlier this year he'd made a promise to continue as the leader of the Parti Quonly if he got 80% or higher during the party's confidence vote. Even though the vote came only 3.8% short of his target - a number small enough to justify remaining in power with little or no political repurcussions - Landry stepped down.
So now the seperatist snake is writhing in agony with its head cut off. Without a leader, the PQ is essentially powerless and without an extremist voice as respected and recognizable as the former premier, the seperatist movement is aswell. Many questions were raised (and continue to be raised) as to who will take up the reins of what is essentially Quebec's "natural governing party" (though not currently governing, which is a curse and a blessing), there was even talk of Gilles Duceppe - Quebec's federal representative for sovereignty - taking the job. It is unfortunate that he has decided to remain in Ottawa.
Duceppe has spent the last decade at the head of the Bloc Qua Federal party with the ultimate goal of Quebec seperation, but the public agenda of representing quebec interests. This time in the national spotlight has forced him to temper his discourse, to take a softer line on seperatism and push for a sort of asymmetric benefits package; getting the most money and recognition possible out of Ottawa in the name of the province from whence he hails. This is done under the premise that, as a unique culture within Canada, North America and, indeed, the world, the pressures of assimilation (or prevention thereof) and preservation make demands of the government that are not seen anywhere else in Canada.
Incidentally, this is not completely false and Quebec has, for a very long time, gotten the largest share of the Federal budget of any province.
As previously stated, Duceppe will not be taking the PQ's top job, and though this is unfortunate as far as it goes, it is not a total loss. With or without Duceppe, the PQ's goal of a sovereign Quebec has suffered a three or four year setback - at least - and any respite is better than none.
Whatever happens on the seperatist front, and whoever comes to be the Parti Quleader, there is but one certainty in Quebec politics today; Jean Charest and the PLQ are NOT going to see a second term in this province for a LONG time.
Bernard Landry, the most vocal - and recognized - proponent of sovereignty in Quebec since Jacques Parizeau, has left politics (supposedly never to return) based on a confidence vote held by his party some two or three weeks ago (he retired immediately, I'm just slow in putting these things together). Interestingly enough, the move was a great show of integrity which actually saw my (admittedly low) respect for the man increase. Earlier this year he'd made a promise to continue as the leader of the Parti Quonly if he got 80% or higher during the party's confidence vote. Even though the vote came only 3.8% short of his target - a number small enough to justify remaining in power with little or no political repurcussions - Landry stepped down.
So now the seperatist snake is writhing in agony with its head cut off. Without a leader, the PQ is essentially powerless and without an extremist voice as respected and recognizable as the former premier, the seperatist movement is aswell. Many questions were raised (and continue to be raised) as to who will take up the reins of what is essentially Quebec's "natural governing party" (though not currently governing, which is a curse and a blessing), there was even talk of Gilles Duceppe - Quebec's federal representative for sovereignty - taking the job. It is unfortunate that he has decided to remain in Ottawa.
Duceppe has spent the last decade at the head of the Bloc Qua Federal party with the ultimate goal of Quebec seperation, but the public agenda of representing quebec interests. This time in the national spotlight has forced him to temper his discourse, to take a softer line on seperatism and push for a sort of asymmetric benefits package; getting the most money and recognition possible out of Ottawa in the name of the province from whence he hails. This is done under the premise that, as a unique culture within Canada, North America and, indeed, the world, the pressures of assimilation (or prevention thereof) and preservation make demands of the government that are not seen anywhere else in Canada.
Incidentally, this is not completely false and Quebec has, for a very long time, gotten the largest share of the Federal budget of any province.
As previously stated, Duceppe will not be taking the PQ's top job, and though this is unfortunate as far as it goes, it is not a total loss. With or without Duceppe, the PQ's goal of a sovereign Quebec has suffered a three or four year setback - at least - and any respite is better than none.
Whatever happens on the seperatist front, and whoever comes to be the Parti Quleader, there is but one certainty in Quebec politics today; Jean Charest and the PLQ are NOT going to see a second term in this province for a LONG time.