- There is only one thing the people of Quebec, and the rest of Canada for that matter, can do. Get rid of Harper and the Cons'.

excerpt submitted to: Best answer to the Quebec question? A majority
Sep 13, 2009 04:30 AM, Angelo Persichilli
http://www.thestar.com/comment/article/694585


"I believe Quebec voters are comfortable with the Bloc not because they want to separate but because it's very convenient to have their own party in Ottawa that cares only about their interests."

Angelo, you may have something there.

It has been a long time since I can recall Duceppe and the Block calling for separation of Quebec from Canada. In fact, Duceppe makes it quite clear that he is there to get the best for Quebec. There is good reason for it and your analysis certainly plays an important part, in particular, they don't want to separate.

Harper calling the Block separatist, who must not have a say in how Canada is governed disenfranchises approximately 41% of all of Quebec and effectively cuts them off from representation. Harper uses it also, and this is very important, to incite his core supporters, the vast majority in the West. This, in itself is divisive and threatens Canadian unity, which I am sure is what Harper is really referring in his attack ads made for Quebec.

With Harper in power the benefits to Quebec of having the Block in Ottawa is effectively neutralized. You can be sure, right wing extremism and the West will be favoured over the interests of Quebec, no matter what Harper and his Con's may say now and during an election. Harper and the Con's are rooted in extreme right wing ideology. Their power base is all the right wingers in Alberta and even Saskatchewan and to some extent BC. The closed door Sault Ste Marie speech to party faithfuls is precisely about maintaining the support of, and inciting, the right wing. There is a grass roots movement amongst Conservatives to demand that Harper stand up, with his head held high, no longer hiding like it is some kind of sin, and proclaim, openly to all Canadians, his right wing ideological roots and intentions. For example, Gerry Nicholls, formerly vice president of the National Citizens Coaliton, "The next time the Tories send you a fundraising letter, write them back a polite note indicating you no longer wish to financially support a political party which acts more Liberal than Conservative" (see, "Gerry Nicholls: Canada needs conservatives, not Conservatives, National Post, September 11, 2009"; as well as a recent interview with Tom Flanigan)

The last election demonstrated that 2/3 rds of Canadians are opposed to right wing extremist ideologues running our country. This is particularly true in Quebec, if I may so bold as to suggest.

People in Quebec may feel comfortable voting Block, but, if Harper returns to power and Quebec votes the Block, then Quebec will be out in the cold.

There is only one thing the people of Quebec, and the rest of Canada for that matter, can do. Get rid of Harper and the Cons'.