[A-List] Canadian elections

[Bob Enoch]

An interesting element in our Parliament, and one that perplexes many
outside observers, is the role of the Bloc Quebecois(BQ).
They are a sovereigntist party, in effect a federal wing of the Parti
Quebecois, which has been, for the last forty years, the vehicle of the
independentistes.

In their social policies, the Bloc are social-democratic;  in the Canadian
spectrum they are to the left of the NDP (who cannot elect a member in
Quebec).

But they will welcome this new Federal Government, at least in their hearts,
because they believe it will now be easier to advance the Independence
agenda.
The Conservatives contain many Westerners who like to howl "good riddance"
when Quebeckers call for independence ....who believe that Quebec has
dominated Canada, and who know how vital Quebec's MPs have been in creating
and defending the Canadian social programs the right would like to tear up.

It won't be long before some of the Tories from the deep woods present the
Quebec media with "proof" of Anglo ignorance; every word they utter or write
will be parsed and they will not disappoint.
In the longer term, I think the strategy will be for Quebec to put forward
new proposals for "reform" of confederation; i.e. more power for Quebec.
The Conservative back bench will bark and growl, the proposals will be
rejected,  and federal Anglo intransigence will have been nicely
highlighted. Cue referendum three....

For the Bloc, the only thing better than a Conservative minority would be a
Conservative majority...so they will sustain this government if they can.

Bob




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