An extraordinary alliance is building up in Quebec to defeat the Bloc, and pushing Jack and the NDP forward. It is extraordinary because of its political nature. Pro Harper supporters, "experts" and commentators are part of this alliance. So are masses of former Liberals (federal and provincial) who are saying Jack is the alternative in Quebec. They are gesticulating left, right and center to applaud the recent increase of interest and the fact that polls indicate that the NDP is running hard in many ridings where Bloc MPs have gained by a small margin against Conservatives and Liberals in the last election (with the NDP coming fourth usually).
How to explain that the ultra right and the right are behind Jack?!
The answer relies in the peculiar nature of class politics in Canada. For most of the last 50 years, the challenge to Canadian elites has come mostly from Quebec nationalism, not from Canadian social-democrats. In addition, the issue is not just about a government, but about the Canadian state built on the colonial compact that subjugated Québécois and Natives long ago, which was skilfully used by the elites to divide and rule. Quebec nationalists threaten that.
Left Canadians would say (as well as left Québécois) that the nationalist project, in itself, has never been very radical and anti-capitalist. This is true. Nonetheless, it has shaken the boots of the Canadian establishment. It became the "mortal enemy", despite the many attempts by the PQ to offer a reasonable "new deal".
So the same very elites, when they see the opportunity to weaken the Bloc, even by Jack, will have no hesitation to use it. For sure they would prefer to see the Conservatives making gains. But bashing the nationalist is a higher priority, even if the "price" to pay is a few more NDP MPs.
These are hard and unpleasant facts to consider. But putting our head into the sand is no solution. I believe that Canadian progressives should say something about this, perhaps directly to Jack.
Unfortunately, this election has shifted focus. Was the election not to be about Harper`s contempt for parliament, for parliamentary committees, for independent commissioners, for the Election act, for his abuse of power, for his positions on human rights, environment and social justice. for his numerous questionable stances taken behind the scenes internationally. Now rather than criticize the conservatives, the Liberals, NDP and Bloc are all fighting among themselves. Most telling was on the English Debate When the three parties were criticising each other and Harper stood back and pointed out how they were not getting along. While I hope that Layton does win seats in Quebec, I do feel that the Bloc as well as the NDP has been at the forefront in Parliament and in Parl committees in promoting (i) guaranteeing human rights including civil and political rights, social and economic rights- labour rights, indigenous rights Women`s rights (2) preserving and conserving the environment, reducing the ecological footprint, moving away from the overconsunptive model of development;(iii) preventing war and conflict; (iv) ensuring social justice. All of which Harper has not. At all costs Harper must be prevented from getting a majority. Hopefully, citizens will vote in each riding for the one who will most likely defeat the Conservatives. Also, a Harper majority would lead more than anything to Quebec session. Harper`s militarism, corporatism fundamentalism is antithetical to most Quebeckers.
The bloc has been in the way of progess for far to long. The Bloc is a pause button and you can't hit puase forever. If it wasn't the NDP beating them back it would be a much less progressive party.
The fact is if we want progressive change in this country the road ends in the PMO and passes through Quebec.
The irony in the arguement that the ultra right is helping Jack is that gaining Quebec is the corner stone of Jack's stratgegy for getting the ROC. The greating weakness of the ndp was that it could not compee in Qubec, it was said that made the party unabke to attain power federally. This agruement is now shattered and the Orange revolution is spreading across Canada. They maybe helping to give Jack what he needs to beat the Ultra Right. at a rich man It is said that a rich man will sell you the noose to hang himself with. This maybe what the right is doing. They underestimating Jack.
Pierre Beaudet provides an interesting anaylsis on the peculiar (dare I say: 'distinct') dynamics of Quebec politics. However, I disagree, somewhat, with his take on "the same very elites" that are threatened by Quebec nationalism, because I believe that they are no longer the same entity, but are, well, separate and 'distinct' in and of themselves.
It will prove equally interesting to see how the ROC (particularly Ontario) reacts (or not) to the latest manifestations of the least boring partner in Confederation..
This sounds like a position based on ideology and not facts. Where is the evidence ? Is it not the people of Quebec pushing the NDP forward?
This is a surprising commentary, mostly because it is based on an outdated view of Canada and Quebec which may have been true 30 years ago, but is hardly the case today. To deny otherwise would be to accept that Quebec's nationalism has acheived nothing in the intervening years.
Elites, such as they may be, in the rest of Canada have essentially left Quebec to itself, and the recent rise of the NDP in populalrity is a surprise to the RoC as it has not been duplicated in Ontario and has only an echo in BC. To suggest that Stephen Harper supporters would send their votes to the NDP is to give Conservative voters a generosity towards other parties not hitherto seen.
M. Beaudet, please tell us what Quebec finds in Jack Layton and the NDP, as we don't know what's driving it.