Friday, June 03, 2011

Quebec And The New Anti-Democratic Party

Ed Broadbent and Jack Layton at a New Democrat...                   Image via Wikipedia
Quebec opposes the Conservative government's democratic plan to democratically increase democratic representation in the House of Commons to under-represented provinces Ontario, BC and Alberta.

Let me get this straight.

Quebec isn't even sure it wants to be a part of Canada, yet in the face of a shrinking relative population insists that its current representation in the House be maintained?

Boo hoo hoo.

Meanwhile, the NDP appeasement campaign is in high gear:
Veteran NDP MP Joe Comartin argued that any redistribution must ensure that Quebec receives a minimum 25 per cent of the seats in that House, its traditional share. The NDP is now the dominant party in Quebec at the federal level.
How can any reasonable Canadian oppose democratic reform that improves proportional representation?

If this keeps up, they should call themselves the New Anti-Democratic Party.
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9 comments:

Anonymous said...

Why do you write that Quebec doesn't want to be a part of Canada? They've had two referendums in which they chosen Canada both times. Polling data also shows they support Canada. What's this statement about?

BallBounces said...

It's about the sentiment of Quebec political elites, and "pur laine" Quebecers, as opposed to "ethnics and money". It's about a province that has robustly supported a Bloc Quebecois and a Parti Quebecois. It's about political power, not democracy as in referendums, or proportional representation in Canada for that matter.

"Quebec" wants to separate -- it just can't get sufficient Quebecers to go along with it.

Anonymous said...

You have a rather elitist view of the meaning of the word Quebec.

fernstalbert said...

Charest lives in fear - his poll numbers stink and any opportunity to bash Canada will be used. Cheers.

BallBounces said...

Anon -- it's contextual.

BallBounces said...

Maybe I should have just said the political entity called Quebec.

BallBounces said...

Anon -- but, you do have a good counter-point which you make -- at the democratic level, Quebecers have rejected separation.

Anonymous said...

A large portion of Quebecers are nationalist but only about 1 in 4 are sovereigntist, including outright seperatists. The nationalist movement can be frustrating for those outside Quebec because they have nothing exactly like it (though perhaps - PERHAPS - something somewhat close in some provinces). But they are not seperatist. Those outside Quebec make a mistake when they assume that they are, as do those inside Quebec (read: BQ). The Quebec political elite often think if they play up the seperatist hot buttons they will win this groups support. THEY ARE WRONG!

BallBounces said...

Anon -- you've helped me see this issue more clearly. I'm going to moderate my comments in future to be more nuanced. Thank you!

"... nothing intellectually compelling or challenging.. bald assertions coupled to superstition... woefully pathetic"