Paul Wells of Maclean’s unearths some clear thinking from Stephen Harper’s former associate, Tom Flanagan:
…
…his big post-election analysis for the June Policy Options magazine (.pdf) is all about what we might now call the Persichilli phenomenon:…
The Conservatives would still have a majority in 2011 even if they had won no seats at all in Quebec
…francophone nationalists always present a problem, even when they can be brought to offer support to the Conservatives. They tend to have an instrumental orientation toward the federal government, seeing it primarily as a source of benefits for Quebec. This raises resistance among other Conservatives, who fear they will have to pay for these benefits to Quebec. …
In practice, French support in Quebec for the Conservatives was always fragile. Think how easily the issue of ‘culture cuts’ dislodged Conservative supporters in Quebec in 2008, even after the Conservatives had built a beachhead into the province in 2006. By comparison, the support of ethnic voters in Toronto and other metropolitan areas seems more likely to be stable, precisely because the Conservatives have attracted those ethnic voters who were already most like themselves in terms of demographics and politics.”..
Who needs the les quebecers?
A. do quebecers need the rest of canada in order to survival?
Politicians should not have to kiss the assess of the special interests such as Quebec and ethnics. They should be presenting their plan to make Canada as free and prosperous as possible FOR ALL OF US.
Freedom and prosperity are the only two things that politicians should be concerned about. Once we have those two items, anyone and I mean ANYONE can have a life it they are simply willing to get skills and get to work.
The beauty of the capitalist system is that anyone can make it big. That is not to say that everyone can make it, but there are always those who are highly motivated to make it to the top of the heap (and provide jobs along the way) and there is the vast majority who are mostly happy with a smaller, but happy life with enough to enjoy and feel secure by their own efforts.
What we have is a bunch of power hungry narcissists who will do anything to not have to get a real job and who cannot wait to tell you how to live your life in great detail.
That must end.
Oh ya … one more point. There are always those who will destroy their own lives and accomplish nothing but misery. We cannot save them from themselves … let them hit bottom … it’s what they seem to want anyway because they know that a bunch of rubes will pick them up off their face and pay them to behave.
That too must end.
This will have an effect within Quebec. When they realize they cant be spolier then some parts will move to support.
The alternative is they take their ball and go home, but they know they can’t afford that.
Time to play hardball.
What are they going to do – threaten to leave? We’ll make sure it’s seen as a promise.
The Conservatives should continue in firming up support outside of Quebec and if Quebec wants to come along with a majority government – great – if not, then the Conservatives can still form majorities without them.
I suspect that Quebec’s support of the NDP in the last election was based on the assumption that Layton would hold the balance of power in a minority government and they could press for more and more and more and more. They misjudged that one and it couldn’t have happened to a nicer province.
Québec’s portion of the Canadian population has been remorselessly declining for years.
It now stands at just over 23 percent. The four western provinces now represent nearly 31 percent. Ontario has a healthy 38 percent.
You do the electoral math.
Good analysis.
Once the taint of “racism” and the “hidden agenda” was shaken from the CPC brand, it was an obvious choice for ethic votes to move to the CPC for the reasons outlined.
OT
This is a similar strategy that should be used by the GOP. When Obama loses the 2012 election and the GOP hopefully has a super-majority, it’s my opinion that they SHOULD/MUST move on the immigration reform policy. THIS will be the single best opportunity for the GOP to show a socially and fiscally conservative voting block (Hispanics) with ACTIONS that it’s in THIER best interest to vote GOP going forward. The bottom line is… amnesty IS coming… and the GOP BETTER be on the winning side of the argument.
Back on topic… one thing the article didn’t mention was that it was necessary to throw the social conservative movement “under the bus” to gain main stream political appeal in Canada. Social conservatives have made a major political and ideological sacrifice for the good of all Canadians, and I am very thankful for that. This is also what the GOP must do, as social conservatism is the largest barrier to the GOP gaining the votes of fiscal conservatives that vote Democrat. There are tons of them, as I’ve spoken to many in my time here.
As population and therefore power move away from Quebec we can expect them to become ever more socialist and agitated. The real action is going to start when the Federal transfer payments start to shrink. The freakouts and general strikes will be many.
And, best part, they will all be in -Quebec-. Go burn some cars boys, that’ll make you some friends.
For Québec separatists, the situation is really quite dire right now.
First, the Anglo and ethnic (“allophone”) population in the province generally tends towards federalism.
And then there’s the Franco population itself: although all separatists are nationalists, not all nationalists are separatists.
By the time you strip down it all down to hardcore support for separatism, your numbers are much less significant.
The real problem with Quebec is still federal oppression of the francophone.
They want french language and culture and I don’t see why they can’t have that within Canada in their province?
I know there’s allot going on there mostly politik’s.
I think Dalton McSquinty really encourages them to be greedy.
Representation by population?
Still haven’t done redistribution from the 2001 census. Quebec’s numbers, reflecting its declining population, within Canada will be even lower once the 2011 numbers are tallied.
Reaction from Quebec? Wah. Wah. Not fair.
The real problem with Quebec is still federal oppression of the francophone.
Posted by: Blanks at September 2, 2011 4:21 PM
Examples, please.
If I where a Quebecer these days. I would be very nervous plus very quiet.
Canada is over plasicating a Province that has been a drag on this Nation since its founding.
If not actually hostile to wards this Nation.
Nobody cares what Quebec says anymore. They have decimated them selves by not breeding. They have never earned the right by yoking the same load as the rest of the Country.
Now that the anchor doesn’t hold this ship in bondage . Its now free to sail the seas of its own destiny.
JMO
“‘The real problem with Quebec is still federal oppression of the francophone.
Posted by: Blanks at September 2, 2011 4:21 PM’
Examples, please.”
Indeed.
“Federal oppression of the francophone” (whatever the hell that’s supposed to mean) hasn’t been any sort of near-serious issue since the end of the Sixties and the days of Laurandeau and Dunton.
Our Conservative government is far better off without the Quebec influence…at some point the elected Quebec MP’s, of the party in power, have to get their fingers in the till and make off with money. It’s like they just can’t help themselves. Entitled to their entitlements sorta scenario.
The Conservatives don’t need that sort of scandal.
BTW I have made a point of asking Quebecers just why did they vote for NDP kids that didn’t even live in their ridings. All have answered they voted for “Jack”.
For once the ROC isn’t the one screwed!
Quebec is, and will continue to lose, it’s power over the rest of us….and I’d say that is a really, really good thing.
English, Queen, 2 examples of federal oppression of the francophone.
“westerners” oppress the francophone, Ontario the same.
Not to say we should be giving them tax dollars for their trouble. not at all
They’re like the Jews were in Germany and we’re all the evil Nazi’s trying to stuff them in the ovens before the allies discover what were doing.
I don’t see the NDP helping their cause much either.
Finally…
The REAL story and the real political earthquake of the last election wasn’t the rise of the NDP, it was the fact that a majority government could be elected without Quebec.
Nahh, probably not. too many French vanilla flavours in my brew today I think.
Short of blasting them out of the country, I have no reasonable opinion on how to deal with them, they are nice people but they always want want want.
“English, Queen, 2 examples of federal oppression of the francophone.
“westerners” oppress the francophone, Ontario the same…
They’re like the Jews were in Germany and we’re all the evil Nazi’s trying to stuff them in the ovens before the allies discover what were doing.”
Ha ha!
You’re kidding, right?
Qu’est-ce que c’est drôle!
Vous comptez la discrimination et les ennuis soufferts par les Canadiens-Français d’autrefois pour un holocauste nazi?
Mais, soyons sérieux, mon ami.
Quebec reminds me of an employee who comes in on payday, says “look, you were right, my doctor’s note was forged, by the way, where’s my paycheque?”
The NDP reminds me of the union official who says “pay our union member or we’ll go on strike.”
So far, the Harper government’s attitude to Quebec in this analogy would be like the personnel director who calls up to ask, “is there anything we can do to make your workplace more friendly?”
And I’m like the guy who bursts in and says, “how would they know, they’ve never been in the workplace!”
So naturally I’m the guy nobody listens to.
Cuz this be Kanadar, land of the world’s smartest people.
English, Queen, 2 examples of federal oppression of the francophone.
“westerners” oppress the francophone, Ontario the same.
Not to say we should be giving them tax dollars for their trouble. not at all
They’re like the Jews were in Germany and we’re all the evil Nazi’s trying to stuff them in the ovens before the allies discover what were doing.
I don’t see the NDP helping their cause much either.
Posted by: Blanks at September 2, 2011 5:05 PM
Blanks, these aren’t examples. Provide specific activities of anglophone oppression of francophones. Saying westerners, the English, or the queen oppress is not an example. It’s just another blanket statement like your original post.
Your Nazi analogy is simply laughable, and smacks of trolling.
Separatism isn’t a real issue anymore.
Quebec’s lack of children is driving them to extinction.
The biggest threat is that they’ll decide to jump on board the Tory bandwagon next election and vote themselves enmasse into the party…thus polluting it with graft and socialism.
The REAL story and the real political earthquake of the last election wasn’t the rise of the NDP, it was the fact that a majority government could be elected without Quebec.
Posted by: Temmy at September 2, 2011 5:09 PM
Truth, this.
And, new allocations of seats will give Ontario, BC, and Alberta more seats due to increases in population. Quebec has a constitutional guarantee of no less than 75 seats in the House of Commons (even though their population doesn’t merit such numbers). But, this will become less relevant as seats get added elsewhere in the country, allowing federal parties to pander less to Quebec.
sry “Colin in BC”,
please explain to Blanks, what a troll is?
children these days, your all like, I don’t agree with the dumb guy or have a brain in my own head so he’s a dewty twoll.
That’s how you sound.
Go haul a few log up hill, with your teeth, on the weekend, put some brawn with your brains.
Honestly you flametards bore me.
Nice dodge to my question, Blanks. I will henceforth ignore you as a troll.
Posted by: Blanks at September 2, 2011 5:05 PM
Are you smoking “crack” to come up with that comparison.
In the comments at Macleans
Quebec home of Ehical Asbestos….
Oooohhh gotta remember that one.
Ethical, gotta remember how to spell
I agree with everybody’s characterization of Blanks.
Ive got news for you SDA regulars.
the present conservative party is a bastardized mashed version of the one of Diefenbaker, Stanfield and Clark.
it is a collection of maskerading scam artists that would dearly love to turn the country into a police state with EVERYTHING in a few private hands.
‘be careful what you wish for’.
I’ll take my chances, moi.
As for you, I’d suggest you take valium.
“The real problem with Quebec is still federal oppression of the francophone.”
I suspect he may be referring to the be-pearled little old lady clerks in Eaton’s (oops. Eaton) or Ogilvy’s (oops. Ogilvy) that refused to speak French.
Of course, they’ve passed away now (and Eaton’s ain’t feelin’ too good, neither), and their children and grandchildren have moved to Ontario or Alberta or New York state.
Read Brian Lee Crowley’s book, fearful symmetry: the fall and rise of canada’s founding values. After a love affair with all things French-Canadian, Crowley began to see the light:
“My heart and head were not pulling together in harness, and as I grew older the head increasingly argued the heart into following its lead — especially as the heart began to have galling suspicions that it had been duped. It began with the nagging discomfort I felt with the dismissive contempt that met the legitimate aspirations of English-speakers and and the unapologetic use of the state’s coercive power to push English to the back of the bus.”
Bravo, the Royal Canadian Navy and the Royal Canadian Airforce! Bravo, PM Stephen Harper’s appointment of Angelo Persichilli!
It’s about time the pushback against the Francophone hegemony in Canada began. Who the heck do they think they are? Yes, they’re part of Canada, but they’re not the Big Kahuna they imagine they are — or who Levesque and subsequent Quebecois separatists (Nycole Turmel included) and their appeasers think they are.
Blanks: “English, Queen, 2 examples of federal oppression of the francophone.”
What planet are you living on, Blanks? What have either the English or the Queen done to oppress the French? Guess what, after the British victory on the Plains of Abraham, they could have completely stopped “the French problem,” oppressed the French once and for all and forever if you will, by being less liberal. They had the resources and power to annihilate all of their aspirations if they’d chosen. They didn’t.
They counted on the French’s being civilized and understanding the workings of democracy. Too bad that doesnt’ seem to have been — or be — their forte.
batb, don’t bother with the troll.
I made a simple and clear request for examples. He first tried to dodge, making more generalizations. When pressed again, he ignored the request, and retorted with a classic ad hominem.
Simply put, he’s not worth the bandwidth.
Moi is closer to the truth than most realize. How many election promises has Harper kept? None. Instead he keeps increasing the federal payroll hiring people whose job it is to spend tax dollars.
Can anyone say why he is strutting around the country doling out money to businesses, many of which have never even asked for financial assistance?
He’s doing the statist thing, getting businesses on the dole so that they have to vote him back in or they will lose a nice source of revenue.
Be afraid, be very afraid. Government is not your friend, none of them.
batb:
The English had the Magna Carta.
The French had the guillotine and the blood of 600,000 mostly innocents on their hands during the Reign of Terror.
If my ancestors were from either group, I’d know which tradition I’d be most proud of.
Today, I would take the example of the French … and cut them off.
Skweeker:
Is that you, Chicken Little?
i confess that i am an optimist but with good reason. i believe that teh grip on quebec – held by socialists (and we’re not talking about light and easy types) for the last fourty years is not only loosening, but finally at an end. the bill has come due.
here in quebec, it is almost common knowledge these days that the hysterical stance and rhetoric, once so popoular, is now in serious decline. in short, it is all over, except for the shouting.
the parti quebecois is in disarray, fractured and cannibalising its own. the bloc quebecois is a political footnote. they took their best shot and failed – they deserve the miserable ending fashioned by their ridiculously utopian aspirations.
i am not bitter. democracy is a messy business and thomas mulcair couldn’t find his way out of a bag of hammers.
The sooner that Canada gets rid of idiotic policies such as official bilingualism, the better off we will be. Now would be the time to do it.
The only hope Quebec has, considering that their population has forgotten how to reproduce, is to import French speaking immigrants from such hotbeds of intellectual innovation such as Haiti, Algeria and Gabon. I’ve always found it interesting that British former third-world colonies such as India and Hong Kong have prospered dramatically in the post-colonial period, but former French colonies are, in general, hell-holes. I believe that St. Pierre and Miquelon(?sp) are doing well. If the desperate aging Quebeqois resort to such policies, then we’d best kick that province out of confederation.
Considering that only 12% of muslims vote Conservative, there is no political cost to simply prohibit muslims from coming to Canada. We could deport 88% of them with no consequences.
What worries me is that the Conservatives will now become the “natural governing party” with all of the statist arrogance that implies. Thus, it’s time to start a Libertarian or Tea party movement in Canada. Knowing that a large portion of their support is contingent on the Conservatives not being CINO’s should prevent statist excesses.
Skweeker…please elaborate on what “election promises” he has not kept.. It’s pretty hard to debate when the accuser throws out generalizations, now isn’t it.
When you start giving concrete examples of promises not kept, perhaps you will be taken more seriously.
If not, you are just a – skweeker.
English Canada needs to understand that we no longer need Quebec to elect a majority government. Secondly, English Canada should never again vote for any party whose leader is from Quebec. No more Trudeau’s, Chretien’s, Paul Martin’s or Mulroney’s.
little ol’ troll said: “it is a collection of maskerading scam artists that would dearly love to turn the country into a police state with EVERYTHING in a few private hands.”
Oh, you mean like the Liberals?
“English Canada needs to understand that we no longer need Quebec to elect a majority government.”
There’s no such thing as “English Canada”. That sort of thinking is as old-fashioned as the idea of “French Canada”.
The tired old French-English arguments so evident in these comments simply mask the fact that Canada is a confederation and all the provinces jostle with one another to advance their own interests.
Québec has been an easy target for criticism because its interests have always been nested in its essential “Frenchness”.
But other provinces – in more recent history, Alberta and Newfoundland come to mind immediately – have gone to bat just as aggressively as Québec in pursuit of their own interests.
The idea that Québec, and Québec alone, is the only province to deal with Canada in an entirely self-serving and parochial manner is a nonsense.
Indeed, JJM, no province is more self-serving and parochial than Ontario. Quebec is hard put to hold second place.