Spring sure comes quickly in Ontario as the lightning attests this morning. Couple of weeks it could hit +15C and pretty much stay there until November. That's called July in the Maritimes. We could all be zapped if the Quebec election goes sideways today and the separatists get back in thanks to some well intentioned but embarrassing stumblebummery:
Last week's federal budget would inject $2.3-billion into Quebec's coffers this year alone. However, Mr. Charest's announcement that he would use all $700-million in new transfer payments to cut personal income taxes was seen as an effort to buy votes and may have cost him support. The Liberals had always insisted that settling of the fiscal imbalance was supposed to be used to improve public services, not cut taxes. Mr. Harper has also responded to Quebec's demands for a voice in international forums and to be recognized as a nation, underlining the deep contradictions of the PQ leadership since the 1995 referendum of trying to improve Quebec's place within Canada while seeking political independence. Each of these initiatives by Mr. Harper helped Mr. Charest argue that Quebec was assuming its rightful place in Canada. But it also reinforced Mr. Dumont's vague "autonomist" platform calling for more provincial autonomy within Canada. In the end, Mr. Harper may have helped split the federalist vote, harming Mr. Charest. But he also split the nationalist vote, undermining the PQ.And who would be to blame for drumming up an "Federalist Lite" agenda and giving it legitimacy? Hmmm.... Isn't it time we had someone who could express why degrees of isolationism within the nation is a bad idea, given that all the alternatives are so dopey, and not only in their reliance on a form of libertarian dependency that requires Ontarians to foot the bill - "leave us alone but send more money"?
For me, I embrace a future of a vague "autonomist" platform and would consider producing a range on automon clothing and food products to support the cause. Something in a nice grey perhaps. With any luck, there will be some sort of change after today's vote - because that in itself is always the best outcome. The current standings in the National Assembly are Quebec Liberal Party 72, Parti quebecois 45, Action democratique du Quebec 5, Other 1, Vacant 2. After tonight I think there will be PQ 53, Liberal 48, ADQ, 24. Charest quits in his speech. Place your best guesses here by 7:00 pm.
Comments
Hans - March 26, 2007 9:14 am
Charest wins a bare minority, PQ is in second and ADQ doesn't live up to the hype. Harper's Tories gloat about the effect of recent budget on Quebec election.
gr - March 26, 2007 9:18 am
Should we read the goat's entrails, the metaphoric tea leaves, by looking at current NHL standings? Some people might find it significant that Ottawa shall easily make the playoffs, BUT Montreal and Toronto could be on the cusp of making them, but probably not. Politically, this could mean something.
gorthos - March 26, 2007 9:56 am
Well, I pay taxes and I pay a LOT of taxes and I buy a lot of "stuff" being a commercialized citizen of the 21st century, and like any good citizen I do my patr for the greater economy. I also grumble about the tax breaks given large corporations, marketing boards that keep my milk and bread more expensive that it could be etc. However, cutting taxes won't buy my vote and I never understand people that yack on about tax breaks. We live in a decent semi-socialits country with great health care (unless you are a whiny attention desiring boomer who doesn't like waiting in line), decent national roads (municipal suck) and a great standard of living. Tax breaks only grasp the vote of a centain sector of society and if thats the way the Libs of Ontario ever go, I'll be skipping out on them as well.
Matt Fletcher - March 26, 2007 11:47 am
This isn't a Sport Pool 'O7 mandated question is it?
My guess: Libs-50, PQ-50, ADQ-25
Moreso out of a hope for something really interesting, in terms of parliamentary maneuvering, to occur.
gorthos - March 26, 2007 11:57 am
oooh.. we get to make guesses?
I'll go with Lib 48, BQ 51 and PDQ (heh heh) 26
Don - March 26, 2007 12:50 pm
Crooks/Liars 52
Communists/Separatists 45
Fascists 28
Arthur - March 26, 2007 9:00 pm
Fascists 28
You forgot the Sore Losers (42). They always come in last.
Temujin - March 26, 2007 9:08 pm
<i>However, cutting taxes won't buy my vote and I never understand people that yack on about tax breaks.</i>
I want a tax break because I want more of my money. When did it become a crime to want what is rightfully yours?
Alan - March 26, 2007 9:30 pm
Where did you get this "rightfully" thing from? The money is made by the state and is owned by the state and is part of a system maintained by the state and was created for the purpose of taxation by the state.
Jay Currie - March 27, 2007 6:11 am
[Long after the deadline as I no longer make political predictions.]
The most interesting thing about last nights election is that Charest won only 24% of the francophone vote...the rest? To quote the immortal Jacques Parizeau in a slightly different context, "Anglos and ethnics".
Or, put another way, Montreal and the Ottawa/Hull suburbs vs. the French.
Interesting. And all the more so as Charest's vote maps to the Federal Liberals in the last election while Dumont's runs to CPC wins and close finishes.