Stephen Harper reiterated yesterday that the Conservative Party needs to present itself as the credible federalist option to Quebecers. He noted that there wasn’t a single non-separatist MP from Quebec that voted agaist corruption when everyone was counted on C-48.
So, I went on a trek through the Quebec blogosphere today and found this reassuring piece from a one-time CPC Belinda Stronach supporter that both wishes her well but also reconfirms his commitment to the Conservatives:
Je continuerai donc à militer avec les conservateurs.
Parce que je pense encore qu’un gouvernement libéral est au coeur de tous les problèmes provinciaux par sa soif d’accaparer 50% des impôts pour 25% des compétences. Parce que je suis encore certain que la gestion libérale est le vrai moteur de l’archaïque mouvement patriotique et souverainiste. Parce que le gouvernement libéral a commis trop d’erreurs et de gaspillage des fonds publics : programme d’enregistrement des armes à feux, scandale des ressources humaines… et bien sûr scandale des commandites… sur le dos des contribuables. Parce qu’aussi, je l’avoue, je supporte très mal l’arrogance de Jean Lapierre.
Parce que le Bloc est l’équivalent d’une ligne ouverte : capable de dénoncer, sans être capable de changer quoi que ce soit. Parce que même si les gens au NDP sont les plus sympathiques, les plus humains et les plus démocrates, ils proposent une plate-forme économique farfelue qui mettrait les canadiens dans un danger r´el de perte d’emploi majeur et d’endettement.
UPDATE: I’ll try a translation hopefully without embarrassing myself too much…
I will therefore continue to fight for the Conservatives
Because I still think that a Liberal government is at the heart of all provincial problems because it thirsts to monopolize 50% of the taxes for 25% of the services. Because I am still certain that Liberals are the actual motor of the old and tired separatist movement. Because the Liberal government has committed too many mistakes and has wasted too much public money: the firearms registry, the HRDC boondoggle… and certainly the Sponsorship Scandal… on the backs of taxpayers. Because, I’ll admit it, I also very badly support the arrogance of Jean Lapierre.
Because the Bloc is like an open line: capable of criticizing, without being able to change anything. Because even if the people in the NDP are the nicest, the most humaine, and the most democratic, they are proposing an eccentric economic platform that put Canadians in real danger of increased unemployment and debt.
Hope I got the translation right!
UP-UPDATE: Check OttawaCon’s translation in the comments section. It’s probably better than mine!