Federalism Works!
It’s ELECTION TIME!
Yes the PLQ of Jean Charest, who I have mixed feelings about sometimes, is gearing up for election 2007! Expect the late winter election with a vote in early April, 4 years to the day of Charest’s first victory. Charest is trailing in the polls but is an excellent campaigner.
Charest is getting into full gear and budget 2007 at the federal level will be the key to Jean Charest’s fortunes. The Tories will not be at 12% for long if that “fiscal imbalance” deal (which for everyone’s info, was promised in 2006) is to Quebecers’ liking.
What’s that? The separatists will never be happy? Duceppe was dumb enough to quantify it. My suspicion is that the money will be there.
Without the “disrespect” card (nation) or the “we’re getting screwed financially” card (fiscal imbalance) the Bloc only has the “Conservatives are right wing bastards” card, which they will use in full force, it’ll be great to see Duceppe desperate (you’ll know that’s kicked in when he starts sounding like Layton).
The Liberal position on fiscal imbalance will be key in Quebec. Some Quebec MPs have vehemently denied the existence of the problem, while others agree we have to solve it. A budget with a fiscal imbalance deal will be tough for Quebec MPs (Bloc or Liberal) to vote down.
As an aside, a YLC(Q) resolution acknowledging the existence of the fiscal imbalance penned by yours truly was passed by the party as a priority in November 2005 and is official Quebec Liberal policy.
With Bob Rae, whose comments after the cuts in 1995 were rather…pointed!...,writing the platform, it is a positive sign for our position on the imbalance.
The message we must send Quebecers is that federalism works. The Bloc no longer has its two major planks against federalism to stand on, and must turn its attacks towards the right wing policies of the Conservative government. They are subtly conceding that federalism works, and we must hammer that message home.
In fact, with the customary tradition of having a Quebec slogan different from the national one, I suggest that the Quebec slogan next election be “Un Federalisme qui Fonctionne”. And in the minds of the population, there is no better spokesperson for how federalism works than Stephane Dion. (Remember, fight where we are strong!)
The next election will be a struggle for us in Quebec, but with a fiscal imbalance deal imminent, we have the opportunity to push out the Bloc, and that will benefit us long term. In the minds of Quebecers, we are the progressive party that delivers for Quebec. The temporary rainbow coalition’s time is coming to an end…we must seize that opportunity.
It sounds ridiculous, but Stephen Harper may be the key to the Liberals regaining their stronghold in Quebec, and the catalyst to finally send the Bloc home.
Yes the PLQ of Jean Charest, who I have mixed feelings about sometimes, is gearing up for election 2007! Expect the late winter election with a vote in early April, 4 years to the day of Charest’s first victory. Charest is trailing in the polls but is an excellent campaigner.
Charest is getting into full gear and budget 2007 at the federal level will be the key to Jean Charest’s fortunes. The Tories will not be at 12% for long if that “fiscal imbalance” deal (which for everyone’s info, was promised in 2006) is to Quebecers’ liking.
What’s that? The separatists will never be happy? Duceppe was dumb enough to quantify it. My suspicion is that the money will be there.
Without the “disrespect” card (nation) or the “we’re getting screwed financially” card (fiscal imbalance) the Bloc only has the “Conservatives are right wing bastards” card, which they will use in full force, it’ll be great to see Duceppe desperate (you’ll know that’s kicked in when he starts sounding like Layton).
The Liberal position on fiscal imbalance will be key in Quebec. Some Quebec MPs have vehemently denied the existence of the problem, while others agree we have to solve it. A budget with a fiscal imbalance deal will be tough for Quebec MPs (Bloc or Liberal) to vote down.
As an aside, a YLC(Q) resolution acknowledging the existence of the fiscal imbalance penned by yours truly was passed by the party as a priority in November 2005 and is official Quebec Liberal policy.
With Bob Rae, whose comments after the cuts in 1995 were rather…pointed!...,writing the platform, it is a positive sign for our position on the imbalance.
The message we must send Quebecers is that federalism works. The Bloc no longer has its two major planks against federalism to stand on, and must turn its attacks towards the right wing policies of the Conservative government. They are subtly conceding that federalism works, and we must hammer that message home.
In fact, with the customary tradition of having a Quebec slogan different from the national one, I suggest that the Quebec slogan next election be “Un Federalisme qui Fonctionne”. And in the minds of the population, there is no better spokesperson for how federalism works than Stephane Dion. (Remember, fight where we are strong!)
The next election will be a struggle for us in Quebec, but with a fiscal imbalance deal imminent, we have the opportunity to push out the Bloc, and that will benefit us long term. In the minds of Quebecers, we are the progressive party that delivers for Quebec. The temporary rainbow coalition’s time is coming to an end…we must seize that opportunity.
It sounds ridiculous, but Stephen Harper may be the key to the Liberals regaining their stronghold in Quebec, and the catalyst to finally send the Bloc home.
par / by Anthony à / at 8:45 p.m.
7 Commentaires:
Well made points.
I for one would rather fight an election without making up problems that dont exist (ie "fiscal imbalance")--leading to the further decentralization of Canada--to appease soft nationalists; and I hope the Liberals give believers in a federal government someone to vote for by not playing the games of the CPC and the Bloc.
Antonio, you may recall that the resolutions passed as priority in 2005 were replaced by the other resolutions at CGS. THEY are now PLCQ policy.
''The message we must send Quebecers is that federalism works.''
Don't you think that is the message PMSH is able to boast?
conservatives NOT Liberals were responsible for:
''Without the “disrespect” card (nation) or the “we’re getting screwed financially” card (fiscal imbalance'')
''the Bloc only has the “Conservatives are right wing bastards” card''
Dippers and Libs own that card.
I can't see the Bloc using it because unlike the ROC lefties, Quebecers expect their politicians to prove any attacks they make.
When you speak of the so-called "fiscal imbalance", are you speaking of a vertical imbalance or a horizontal imbalance?
Rob,
When you refer to the "so-called fiscal imbalance". I suppose that you use the same definition of "so-called" as Stephen Harper does. (commonly)
We have to adress both fiscal imbalances. We have to fix the equalization system and we have to restore the funding to pre-1995 levels, without sacrificing the economic stability of Canada.
Alex
When you refer to the "so-called fiscal imbalance". I suppose that you use the same definition of "so-called" as Stephen Harper does.
If by that you mean that I'm cynical about whether it exists, then yes I do.
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