Tag: bloc quebecois

Liberals in freefall

newfebpoll.bmpThe polling information from this weekend seems accurate as it seems to be a valid indicator of Canadian outrage to the Liberal sponsorship scandal. Numbers released today indicate that, not only have the numbers held, the Liberals have fallen another 4% (from 39% to 35% popular support). The Conservative Party of Canada, with welcome momentum, has climbed 3% to 27%. The margin of popular support between the two parties is narrowing and the trend would indicate that this differential will only narrow further. As new relevations come each day, more and more Canadians are becoming aware of the mismanagement and inappropriate behaviour by their government.

To the average Canadian, the Conservative Party of Canada is becoming a viable alternative to Paul Martin and Jean Chrétien’s Liberals. Indeed, our house is united while theirs is becoming more and more divided.

With one eyebrow raised

lapierre.jpgI can’t believe the news today.

In a move sure to astound, Paul Martin recruited Bloc Québecois co-founder Jean Lapierre to run as a Liberal in Quebec in the next federal election.

Does this indicate that despite one’s political inclinations or political past, as long as one is a Martinite, all is forgiven? It is good to see a seperatist become a fan of Canada again. It will also serve to take some Bloc votes from that party which makes it appear as though the Bloc is on its way out. Good strategy on behalf of Paul Martin, but what leaves me unsettled is that this man was the co-founder of the ‘federal’ party which helped the Parti Québecois bring this country to within less than one percentage point of a national crisis. Mending fences is always a difficult process and I guess that this is a perfect example of that difficulty.

If the Liberals can forgive such a former sovereigntist then perhaps Paul Martin and Alan Rock can give Brian Mulroney a call to share some laughs over a few pints. “Sorry ’bout our witch-hunt, Brian. We just didn’t realize at the time that we’d come to love those things called NAFTA and GST.”