But over the long term, no subsidy can make up for the demobilization of a party's grassroots. The Bloc no longer resonates with Quebecers in the way it use to. With every passing month, its fate inspires more indifference than passion.
How does newly crowned Parti Quebecois leader Pauline Marois respond to this indifference within the sovereignty movement? She attempts to 'modernize' her party by purging SPQ Libre- the party's left-wing tenancy.
This is bad news if you ask me. While the sovereignist project may be at the crossroads, attempting to weaken the influence of Quebec's working-class, which has long associated itself with sovereignty, is an unwise move. The intersection of class and culture has been a driving in force in Quebec's quest for independence. To attempt to weaken- or even eliminate- this intersection may prove to be deadly, for both the PQ and BQ.
4 comments:
Are you saying that having strong BQ is better for the country or just better for those who lead that party?
Having a strong an effective is better for both Canada and for Quebec. Many of my readers are left-wingers, but many of them are also anglo-chauvenists. They fail to realize that in the House of Commons, there exists two social democratic parties- the NDP and the BQ. This is a fact accepted by the CLC, much to the chagrin of some unions. Nevertheless, Canada's working-class, as well most all Quebecois, are better off because of the BQ.
For example, when it comes to protecting jobs and opposing anti-scab legislation, the BQ is on the side of workers. When it comes to an imperial war, the BQ opposes it. When it comes to Kyoto, the BQ supports it. When it comes to equal marriage, the BQ supports it. When it comes to back-to-work legislation, the BQ opposes it. The list goes on.
As an anglo-Canadian in Southern Ontario, I feel that having a strong Bloc in the House works in my interest. This is also obviously the case for Quebecois, who repeatedly return Blocquistes to parliament. While I will be happy if and when a sovereign Quebec declares its independence, it will inevitably decrease the number of progressives in the House. I'll talk a Blocquiste over a Liberal or a Tory any day.
I am surprised that anyone associated with the NDP would be supportive of Quebec seperation and the resulting implications that would have for the rest of the counrty.
Are you saing that in any election (on the proviso that the NDP candidate was not competive in the race) that people should vote BQ just to keep out a Lib or conservative?
You're working under the false pretence that I am somehow associated with the NDP. While I am a 'Blogging Dipper,' I am not a member of the party. The blog roll is for party members and those with similar beliefs, and I fall into the later. I live in Southern Ontario, and thus vote for the party because they represent values that are closest to mine. However, to be clear, that is as 'associated' as I am with the party.
Now that my association with the NDP is cleared up, I can address your second question. Your question is kind of a moot point, since (with the exception of Mulcair) the NDP is not competitive federally, and doesn't run in Quebec's national (provincial) elections. So to suggest that I'd support the Bloc in instances in which NDP is not competitive basically means you're suggesting that I support the Bloc in Quebec. To that end, you're absolutely correct.
As far as Quebec's national (provincial) elections go, the two leftist parties- the PQ and Quebec Solidaire- are both sovereignist. The federalist parties are all right-wing. Being a left-wing federalist in Quebec is a compromising position. I don't live in Quebec, so this point is kind of moot, but I'm a left-wing nationalist, so I throw my support behind Quebec Solidaire and the PQ.
As far as implications for Canada, life will go on if Quebed declares itself to be a soverign counrty. You shouldn't concern yourself so much with it. Countries being split and new ones being formed isn't as horrific as what the federalists make it out to be.
Post a Comment