Weird Destination Pour Un Bleu & My Perfect Scenario

Duceppe is off to Toronto to speak to the Economic Club of Toronto this coming Friday...wait did I hear right? Is he going to present a candidate or what? Has Duceppe become totally nuts? Apparently not, since he delivered a speech north of Montreal in which he explained the content of his upcoming Toronto speech. He will not betray his separatist intentions. He will explain the similarities that link Ontario and Québec and how much these two latter provinces are diametrically opposed to the western provinces. He is going to explain to the Toronto Economic Club that the biggest threat to Canada right now is not separatism but the Conservatives. Basing himself on the refusal of the Liberal government (led by Jean Chrétien at the time) to participate in the Iraq war, he asserts the usefulness of the Bloc to Québec citizens as well as to Canadians (wait did I hear right) all over the country. However, when one listens to Duceppe's speeches, one can understand why he says so. After all, if the Conservatives had had a minority government at the time of the decision for the Iraq war, they would have asked for support, and would not have found it with the Bloc (since they voted against it in the first place).

In a totally unrelated topic, I would like to congratulate Canada and Québec for finally according a fighting chance to the NDP (The polls show a thinning margin between Liberals and the former). I personally think the perfect realist result for any Québec resident in this election would consist of a minority Conservative government (because the reality of a NDP governed Canada is not for today nor for the immediate future...sadly) with the official opposition formed by the NDP (a right-wing party in a limited power making compromises with a left-wing party in strong position) and, as to not forget our interests, a big majority in Québec of Bloc wins. That result would force the Liberals to throw Dion out and find a true leader. While waiting for the centrist party to rebuild itself and to gain back the public's trust, I think a balance between a right and a left party in the chamber with a voice for Québec would definitely be the best outcome for Québec residents. Come to think of it, it would also be the best outcome for Canada because as long as this situation would prevail, Québécois would be comfortable in this system and separatism could sleep for a little while longer...but do what you will on October 14th, just remember that Québec separatism movement feeds on discontent and lack of appropriate representation in the federal system.

Naïve

This post is all about Québec's separatist movement.

If you think this issue isn't going to make the news these days because of the approaching federal election and the American election occupying the front stage of politics, you’re naïve. If you think the separatist issue is dormant and won't be awaken if we're careful enough, you're way too naïve for politics.

The Québec media have at multiple occasions in the last few years prophesised about its death and yet with every federal or provincial election, the subject of a third referendum is brought back to public attention in the form of a scarecrow, as an empty threat by FEDERALIST leaders. I personally find it quite hilarious to see aspiring prime ministers of Canada fight to determine who amongst them would be best at fighting the threat of such a referendum. That’s despite the fact that such a referendum would be voted inside one province, not ten. Of course, one could say that the most talented public speaker would be the best in such a battle of arguments against secession. However, in the end isn't it only Québec residents that would vote in the event of a referendum? Last time I checked, only two candidates from the five main parties (I consider the Greens and the Bloc as main parties) were Québec residents (Dion and Duceppe), and one of those two is an alleged separatist.

My conclusion is as follows, why bother attacking your opponent on a subject on which neither you nor your opponent have a strong control upon? You'll probably notice that some important subjects (such as AFGHANISTAN) will be left out of the debate to the expense of the fight about who's the best protector of Canada's territorial integrity. Why, you ask me, won't the candidates talk about Afghanistan? Well it’s simply because the Liberals and the Conservatives agree on that issue. But then again, don't they also agree on Québec's secession proposal?

Simon Kemp-Parazelli

P.S. I realize the irony of writing about separatism to underline the futility of talking about the subject. However, if you read carefully enough, you'll realise I think it is a waste of time to talk about an issue if the person talking about it does not dispose of the means to affect it, not the other way around.