There was a specific bill enacted enshrining equality of people here, regardless of their sexual orientation. It was a cause for big celebration amond the lgbt community here back then.
quebec election - 04.09.2012
Fri, 2012-08-31 14:46
#352
Fri, 2012-08-31 18:15
#353
There was a specific bill enacted enshrining equality of people here, regardless of their sexual orientation. It was a cause for big celebration amond the lgbt community here back then.
I'd say it's s. 10 of the Quebec Charter, as unionist mentioned.
I don't know exactly how trans discrimination came to be banned here.
It's interpreted by tribunals to be covered by the "sex" prohibited ground of discrimination (of s. 10 of the Quebec Charter). See this decision, for instance.
Fri, 2012-08-31 19:31
#354
Boom Boom
On P&P tonight: First, Charest says he's headed for a majority - he'll pull an "Allison Redford" (Alberta) from the undecided voters. Next, P&P reported that Marois is pushing for a majority with full page ads in newspapers in Quebec with all the good things she can do only if she has a majority.
Fri, 2012-08-31 19:39
#355
Next, P&P reported that Marois is pushing for a majority with full page ads in newspapers in Quebec with all the good things she can do only if she has a majority.
Speaking of that: the PQ is brazenly lying by publishing ads that say that only a majority PQ government will be able to cancel the tuition fees hike and the Loi 12 (PL 78). Completely false in both cases.
Tuition fees are set by orders in Council. No need for a majority at the NA. As for Loi 12, it specifically provides (s. 36) that a government may decide that its dispositions are no longer of effect before its pretedermined "sunset" date (July 2013).
Fri, 2012-08-31 19:46
#356
Boom Boom
I'm really glad you here, Bärlüer. Thanks for that!
Fri, 2012-08-31 20:14
#357
autoworker
It's unfortunate that one has to choose between Federalism or labour solidarity, when sovereignty is not an option.
Fri, 2012-08-31 21:08
#358
Next, P&P reported that Marois is pushing for a majority with full page ads in newspapers in Quebec with all the good things she can do only if she has a majority.
Speaking of that: the PQ is brazenly lying by publishing ads that say that only a majority PQ government will be able to cancel the tuition fees hike and the Loi 12 (PL 78). Completely false in both cases.
Tuition fees are set by orders in Council. No need for a majority at the NA. As for Loi 12, it specifically provides (s. 36) that a government may decide that its dispositions are no longer of effect before its pretedermined "sunset" date (July 2013).
I beg to differ. Cancelling the rate hike only solves one part of the problem. But it does have a side effect as it creates a shortfall for all universities. How do you send them more cash to compensate for the shortfall? Through a budget adopted by the National Assembly. As for Bill 78 (L.R.Q. 2012 c. 12), the Act will expire on July 1, 2013. So, are you telling me you don't want that despicable piece of legislation struck from the books as soon as possible?
For this to happen, you need at least 63 'ayes'.
Fri, 2012-08-31 21:21
#359
Cancelling the rate hike only solves one part of the problem. But it does have a side effect as it creates a shortfall for all universities. How do you send them more cash to compensate for the shortfall? Through a budget adopted by the National Assembly.
Even if they have a "shortfall", which I seriously doubt, you think a majority of the National Assembly will vote against funding the shortfall?
As for Bill 78 (L.R.Q. 2012 c. 12), the Act will expire on July 1, 2013. So, are you telling me you don't want that despicable piece of legislation struck from the books as soon as possible?For this to happen, you need at least 63 'ayes'.
With respect, that's false. Section 35 of the Act reads:
35. The provisions of this Act cease to have effect on 1 July 2013 or on any
earlier date or dates set by the Government.
So, a minority government can kill the bill immediately, without the need to even table anything.
Fri, 2012-08-31 21:23
#360
It's unfortunate that one has to choose between Federalism or labour solidarity, when sovereignty is not an option.
Solidarity is all that really matters. The flag workers live under isn't important. And your use of both upper-class grammar and your insistence on putting Federalism in capital letters has essentially outed you as a right-wing troll, probably from Ontario.
Fri, 2012-08-31 21:27
#361
The National Post endorses the CAQ and La Presse sort of kind of does too:
[url=http://www.cjad.com/CJADLocalNews/entry.aspx?BlogEntryID=10433675]1 1/2 newspaper endorsements for CAQ[/url]
Fri, 2012-08-31 21:46
#362
Indeed, I must find a quote from Rosa Luxemburg I have somewhere about international workers' solidarity as her "Evening Star", and very reason for being. It being understood that this also means solidarity with working-class people who are particularly oppressed by racism, sexism etc.
Infinitely more important than either federalism or sovereignty.
Lots of red banners in Québec this spring - and some red and black ones!
Fri, 2012-08-31 22:00
#363
Cancelling the rate hike only solves one part of the problem. But it does have a side effect as it creates a shortfall for all universities. How do you send them more cash to compensate for the shortfall? Through a budget adopted by the National Assembly.Even if they have a "shortfall", which I seriously doubt, you think a majority of the National Assembly will vote against funding the shortfall?
Legault has stated quite clearly that he is willing to defeat a minority government quite early. This would be a money bill right?
Fri, 2012-08-31 22:17
#364
autoworker
It's unfortunate that one has to choose between Federalism or labour solidarity, when sovereignty is not an option.Solidarity is all that really matters. The flag workers live under isn't important. And your use of both upper-class grammar and your insistence on putting Federalism in capital letters has essentially outed you as a right-wing troll, probably from Ontario.
I'm not an Internationalist, if that's what you mean. As for Federalism, I suppose anyone who supports national unity is a right-wing troll, by your estimation.
Fri, 2012-08-31 22:20
#365
Legault has stated quite clearly ...
Hah! Oxymoron!!
Fri, 2012-08-31 22:29
#366
Québécois sovereignists also support national unity. Different nation.
I pity you if you aren't an internationalist. That is a basic principle of labour solidarity. Have you never read about how the workers' movements in different European countries lined up behind "their own" bourgeoisie, and aristocracy, to slaughter their class brothers and sisters in the so-called Great War?
Sat, 2012-09-01 00:28
#367
Legault has stated quite clearly ...
Hah! Oxymoron!!
Yeah, I guess so! :)
Sat, 2012-09-01 02:23
#368
autoworker
Workers are quite conscious of obvious class divisions within the labour movement. Human nature has a tendency to establish power structures. In time, they too fracture and collapse under the weight of their own contradictions.
In passing, I've noticed that the lack of discussion of PR is conspicuous by its absence, in this election thread. Imagine, if each of the political parties received roughly the same number of seats as their percentage of the vote. Those numbers would likely be very different than current FPTP polling indicates, and the consequential debates (negotiating) would take place after the election.
Sat, 2012-09-01 02:32
#369
love is free
http://voir.ca/brasse-camarade/2012/08/27/la-loi-101-et-la-vraie-vie/ well-reasoned take down of the pq's fransicisation plans. really torn, there are a log of variables to consider, including continued economic stability, justice and historical redress, the collapse of home prices that business collapse would bring (i like this, for purely selfish reasons), and at least identifying the latest chapter in montreal's managed decline.
Sat, 2012-09-01 06:32
#370
The National Post endorses the CAQ and La Presse sort of kind of does too:
[url=http://www.cjad.com/CJADLocalNews/entry.aspx?BlogEntryID=10433675]1 1/2 newspaper endorsements for CAQ[/url]
National Post, goes without saying, but La Presse??? ... weird them going for Liberals, frankly.
Maybe call for a change, likely with CAQ, but why back the incumbent, now 3rd-placers??
[...]
Closer to home, La Presse editors declared their support for Jean Charest and the Liberals, but with one major catch:
"Those who want to see a change in government, they say, "should support the Coalition Avenir Québec."
Both editorial boards agreed that a Parti Québécois government would lead to economic and political instability.
Sat, 2012-09-01 08:00
#371
Le Devoir in a thoughtful editorial signed Bernard Descoteaux calls for a change, but says inexperience of CAQ a big negative: who will run things?. For stability, he wants PQ majority:
http://www.ledevoir.com/politique/elections-2012/358270/elections-du-4-septembre-pour-l-experience
La tenue d’un référendum n’est pas pour demain. Pauline Marois, qui ne veut pas d’un troisième référendum perdu, sait que les Québécois n’y sont pas prêts. Le démontre bien le comportement attendu des électeurs le 4 septembre, qui s’apprêtent à partager leurs voix de façon presque égale entre les trois principaux partis. Ils signalent ainsi qu’ils ne veulent pas être bousculés, pas plus par la CAQ, avec son grand ménage que par le PQ, avec un débat précipité sur la souveraineté. Les attentes des Québécois sont autres.
Ils veulent un gouvernement qui répond d’abord à leurs besoins en santé, en éducation, en environnement, pour des services de garde. Un gouvernement qui préserve l’équilibre des finances publiques. Un gouvernement intègre et honnête. Nous croyons qu’aujourd’hui ce parti est celui qui peut le mieux servir le bien commun. Cet appui n’est toutefois pas sans réserve et ne constitue pas une adhésion à tous les éléments de son programme. Nous saurons exercer notre devoir de critique dans l’avenir.
Sat, 2012-09-01 10:01
#372
Globe looks at the same three parties as Devoir and sees experience (Liberals), experiment (CAQ) and "disaster" (PQ)...
no wonder English Canadians misjudge Quebec so often
Sat, 2012-09-01 10:05
#373
knownothing
CROP Poll has QS at 9%
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/elections/caq-liberals-batt...
Sat, 2012-09-01 10:13
#374
Dave, I think one of the problems with English-language Canadian journalism is that they take "sovereignty" discourses far too literally. Marois knows very well that a good portion - perhaps a majority - of the people voting for her are in no mood for a referendum in the coming term. When Vivian Barbot was elected as Bloc MP in Laurier-Dorion (Villeray and Parc-Extension) I'm sure her victory was based more on voters being pissed off at absentee Pierre Pettigrew and the Bloc's social programme than anything else.
Hope the QS at 9% holds - or better yet, even edges up a little. This could mean two or three more seats. However, I do not want to be over-optimistic.
QS is by far the best party on environmental issues (followed by Option nationale, then the PQ - alas the Green party is behind PQ!) Worst is CAQ, no surprise.
Though of course QS won't form a government, and the PQ has a habit of campaigning on the left (huge vote among unionised workers) and governing towards the right (realpolitik).
Sat, 2012-09-01 10:29
#375
Globe looks at the same three parties as Devoir and sees experience (Liberals), experiment (CAQ) and "disaster" (PQ)...
no wonder English Canadians misjudge Quebec so often
Pathetic - "we, the wealthy, are lusting after both Charest and Legault - how about a COALITION? It'll be good for business and good for Canada."
I loved the first two comments I saw:
I wish Margaret Wente would have the courage to sign her editorials.
and
Poor Globe - always hoping for another Mulroney.The last thing anyone should do is foloow the advice of this voice of the oligarchs.
Word!
At least they're no longer asking, "What does Québec want?" Now it's straight out: "Here's what [b]WE[/b] want!!"
Sat, 2012-09-01 11:58
#376
love is free
yeah, basically, the canadian media has primed their readership to strong hostility against the province and people of quebec in the event of a pq leadership.
man, i still just don't believe that the pq will win only a minority government, the gut just tells me it'll be a majority. that said, if the party comes in at 32% like the polls are suggesting at the moment, even if they end up with the most seats, that'd still put the pq at an historically low level of support.
Sat, 2012-09-01 12:20
#377
Boom Boom
I don't want a PQ majority, because they support Charest's Plan Nord albeit with minor changes. However, a PQ minority would still need support from Charest or Legault to govern, as it's likely QS won't get more than handful of seats at best.
Quebec politics are f*cked in my opinion. I want the NDP to run provincially here and replace the Liberals. Although a Quebec NDP will likely be federalist, surely the party if they ever achieve government in Quebec would be able to work with QS in developing and maintaining progressive legislation here.
I'm curious as to what voting preferences Quebec's First Nations communities will display. Didn't we discuss this earlier?
ps: I live in a tiny Quebec anglophone community, in the middle of two large First Nations (Natashquan in the west and La Romaine to the east - I think both of these two communities will go PQ).
Sat, 2012-09-01 13:30
#378
Huge earthshaking surprise - the [url=http://www.montrealgazette.com/opinion/editorials/Editorial+change+come+... Gazette[/url] has lined up with the rest of the capitalist class to worship at the feet of their new gun-for-hire, François Legault.
Why, after all, M. Legault:
... declared himself ready to stand up to big labour to impose more democratic union practices.
I wonder if these scum have ever used a phrase such as, "stand up to big business"?
Ok, my rant is briefly over.
Sat, 2012-09-01 14:24
#379
yeah, basically, the canadian media has primed their readership to strong hostility against the province and people of quebec in the event of a pq leadership.man, i still just don't believe that the pq will win only a minority government, the gut just tells me it'll be a majority. that said, if the party comes in at 32% like the polls are suggesting at the moment, even if they end up with the most seats, that'd still put the pq at an historically low level of support.
It will also be a historically low level of support for a false majority government. Worst result of a winner-take-all voting system in Canadian history.
Are the media priming their readers to see the obvious case for proportional representation? Umm, no.
Sat, 2012-09-01 19:45
#380
Globe looks at the same three parties as Devoir and sees experience (Liberals), experiment (CAQ) and "disaster" (PQ)...
no wonder English Canadians misjudge Quebec so often
Pathetic - "we, the wealthy, are lusting after both Charest and Legault - how about a COALITION? It'll be good for business and good for Canada."
[/quote=Unionist]
Unfortunately, that could happen, or worse...I think you could easily see the birth of new party...a merger of the CAQ with the "Lucide" wing of the PLQ in what would essentially amount to a rebirth of the Union Nationale(minus the overt ultra-Catholicism, although that would be held in reserve in case the leadership decided it was needed). Such a party would probably be able to count on 42-44% of the vote, which could keep it in power for a long time if the opposition remained divided. I think Charest's use of brute force against the students could have been, in part, his audition for the role of "Le Duplessis Nouveau".
Sat, 2012-09-01 19:46
#381
Globe looks at the same three parties as Devoir and sees experience (Liberals), experiment (CAQ) and "disaster" (PQ)...
no wonder English Canadians misjudge Quebec so often
Pathetic - "we, the wealthy, are lusting after both Charest and Legault - how about a COALITION? It'll be good for business and good for Canada."
Unfortunately, that could happen, or worse...I think you could easily see the birth of new party...a merger of the CAQ with the "Lucide" wing of the PLQ in what would essentially amount to a rebirth of the Union Nationale(minus the overt ultra-Catholicism, although that would be held in reserve in case the leadership decided it was needed). Such a party would probably be able to count on 42-44% of the vote, which could keep it in power for a long time if the opposition remained divided. I think Charest's use of brute force against the students could have been, in part, his audition for the role of "Le Duplessis Nouveau".
Sat, 2012-09-01 19:53
#382
Québec solidaire wants universal drug insurance
Québec solidaire candidates Amir Khadir, left, and Françoise David ride their bikes through Montreal’s Gouin riding on Saturday Sept. 1, 2012, to gather support for the upcoming Quebec provincial election.Photograph by: Pierre Obendrauf, Montreal Gazette
http://www.montrealgazette.com/health/Québec+solidaire+wants+universal+drug+insurance/7179637/story.html
Sat, 2012-09-01 20:01
#383
Québec solidaire wants universal drug insurance
Poor headline. Québec has had universal drug insurance since 1997. Everyone must join the employee or group plan for which they are eligible - and if not eligible, they must join the public drug plan. All plans, private or public, must meet certain criteria (e.g. no lifetime maximum). You can read about it [url=http://www.ramq.gouv.qc.ca/en/citizens/prescription-drug-insurance/Pages.... It's kind of like Obamacare for drugs, with a public option.
What QS is proposing is a public corporation to market and produce pharmaceuticals (Pharma Québec) and a much broader public plan.
The Gazette writes about Québec as if they were sitting in Toronto.
Sat, 2012-09-01 20:12
#384
Boom Boom
I love that bike that Amir is riding. It's gorgeous!
ps: where's his f*cking helmet!!!!
Sat, 2012-09-01 20:28
#385
It's actually an impossible-to-detect "helmet wig".
Sat, 2012-09-01 20:54
#386
Boom Boom
Seeing that photo of Amir riding without a helmet just makes me cringe.
Sat, 2012-09-01 21:01
#387
Why? It makes me very happy.
Cycle safety solutions for everyday cyclists lie with infrastructure, not body armour.
None of the healthcare professionals I know in the Netherlands wear the damned things.
Sat, 2012-09-01 21:05
#388
Québec solidaire cible le centre-ville
«On est nez à nez avec le Parti québécois, qui est là depuis 40 ans», assure la candidate Manon Massé qui brigue les suffrages dans Sainte-Marie-Saint-Jacques pour Québec solidaire.
PHOTO: MARCO CAMPANOZZI, LA PRESSE
http://www.lapresse.ca/actualites/elections-quebec-2012/201209/01/01-457...
Sun, 2012-09-02 06:36
#389
a 4- way race in Quebec City:
http://rabble.ca/news/2012/08/battleground-taschereau-riding-watch-quebec
Threatening Liberal seats across Québec City is the Coalition Avenir du Québec. The unfortunately abbreviated CAQ is polling ahead of the Liberals and PQ in Québec City, and relying on their city-wide popularity to pull ahead in Taschereau.
As the CAQ siphons off votes from the Liberals on the right, the PQ are facing a threat of their own on the left. Québec Solidaire has eked out support from many people who once supported the PQ, and young people who have been politicized by the student strike. Their promise of a new kind of politics and the success of co-leader Françoise David in the televised debate has increased their visibility and viability.
Sun, 2012-09-02 08:46
#390
Leger:
PQ 33
CAQ 28
PLQ 27
http://blogs.montrealgazette.com/2012/09/02/pq-one-percentage-point-away...
Sun, 2012-09-02 09:35
#391
To all you advocates of proportional representation, I hope you realize that according to every poll the two rightwing parties CAQ and the PLQ will have way over half the vote together. If the PQ forms a government are you all going to be complaining about how unjust it is that Quebec is being robbed of the rightwing federalist government it clearly wants?
Sun, 2012-09-02 10:34
#392
autoworker
To all you advocates of proportional representation, I hope you realize that according to every poll the two rightwing parties CAQ and the PLQ will have way over half the vote together. If the PQ forms a government are you all going to be complaining about how unjust it is that Quebec is being robbed of the rightwing federalist government it clearly wants?
I wouldn't complain if the result is truly democratic, and respects minority rights. Are you afraid of the popular will?
Sun, 2012-09-02 12:09
#393
To all you advocates of proportional representation, I hope you realize that according to every poll the two rightwing parties CAQ and the PLQ will have way over half the vote together. If the PQ forms a government are you all going to be complaining about how unjust it is that Quebec is being robbed of the rightwing federalist government it clearly wants?
I agree, much of the motivation behind the campaigns here for proportional is myopic:
if small left-wing causes and parties would get more electoral representation with proportional -- agreed -- then so would similar right-wing groups -- hunters and gun owners, traditionalist groups, the right of the right/Ayn Randists etc etc.
FPTP is a parliamentary compromise, or we could end like Italy/Israel, with long periods of no real governing majority and a parliamentary mess ....
in Quebec, Solidaire would get more seats, but so could Anglo nut groups and regionalist cranks and Créditistes
Sun, 2012-09-02 12:32
#394
I agree, much of the motivation behind the campaigns here for proportional is myopic:
LOL, I'm calling Wilf Day - are you and Stock ever in trouble!!
Sun, 2012-09-02 14:23
#395
To all you advocates of proportional representation, I hope you realize that according to every poll the two rightwing parties CAQ and the PLQ will have way over half the vote together. If the PQ forms a government are you all going to be complaining about how unjust it is that Quebec is being robbed of the rightwing federalist government it clearly wants?
If Quebec had proportional representation, people would have an incentive to vote honestly. Don't forget that there is certainly a wing of PLQ voters that are less right-wing than Charest. And apparently a wing of CAQ voters also chose the NDP, so they may not all be as right-wing as you think. Under PR, you could pick a party that really represents you, even if it's "fringe", and have a much better chance of representation. So I am guessing with PR, the total PLQ+CAQ vote would be below half.
Sun, 2012-09-02 14:41
#396
love is free
yeah, for all its failings, the structure of party competition in quebec actually does push parties toward a mean, so that ideological shocks are minimal with government change. a good part of the population doesn't really see legault as right of center, and certainly a great number of people to the left of charest are voting for that party purely on identity issues. it's really complicated.
as for this: manon won't win, i hate to say it, but she has no appeal to the average voter in the district and she's something of a city-wide joke. it's a shame, as with a better/different candidate, this riding would have been a cinch.
Sun, 2012-09-02 14:59
#397
love is free, I'm afraid you are right about Manon. I have known her for years as a committed community activist and feminist organiser, but alas "image" counts.
I certainly agree with her passionate defence of her not removing her moustache, but alas, if this can bear fruit in the case of an artist such as Frida Kahlo, it is very difficult in the political arena. Perhaps this is "transphobia" on the part of the voting public? Or perhaps something else. I know her image makes several gay and lesbian friends uncomfortable.
I confess my first impression upon seeing that type of pilosity (or equally, sgraggly random facial hair on a man) has nothing to do with gender-bending, and relates more to poor grooming. And as I get older and see women older still who are thus, something far worse than poor grooming - some kind of impairment, degeneration.
I speak as a "brune" (though my hair is largely grey now, it was originally almost black, and very abundant indeed) who would certainly have such a shadow (far less facial hair, but much darker) if I didn't keep it under close scrutiny.
And I know this kind of scrutiny is a harsh and unfair burden on women. It is a very difficult, and very hard nut to crack. I think Manon is very courageous. But alas I doubt she can overcome this image problem.
And I certainly hope I am wrong about that, as she would be a great asset in the National Assembly. She has worked for years with people in the harshest of circumstances. We shouldn't have a National Assembly composed only of lawyers, businesspersons, and doctors (much as I like Amir and other "doctors for social equality").
Sun, 2012-09-02 16:41
#398
love is free
^ bingo.
man, and françoise david really is a firecracker. she'll be an amazing mna.
Sun, 2012-09-02 20:06
#399
To all you advocates of proportional representation, I hope you realize that according to every poll the two rightwing parties CAQ and the PLQ will have way over half the vote together. If the PQ forms a government are you all going to be complaining about how unjust it is that Quebec is being robbed of the rightwing federalist government it clearly wants?
As other posters said, and far better than I will, you wouldn't see a result like that under pr, because the current electoral coalitions behind the PLQ and the CAQ(as well as, most likely, the PQ)wouldn't hold together. You'd end up with at least two significant federalist parties(a center-right "Lucidiste" federalist party and a left-liberal to social-democratic federalist party, at least two significant sovereigntist groupings, Lucidiste and Solidariste, a small-to-miniscule Crediste/autonomiste rump party, and some sort of independent left party.
The combinations of people backing the PLQ, the CAQ, and the PQ simply wouldn't hold together under pr, because there'd be no need for them too(just as the right would fragment in the Praries and B.C.).
Face it, Stock...the fact that with painful infrequency FPTP gives a center-left party a majority government in some part of Canada(usually at the price of checking the party's soul at the door)simply doesn't make it worth having to suffer through decade after decade of right-wing parties ruling the roost with below 50% support. Two-and-a-half-years of Dave Barrett was NOT worth TWENTY years of Wacky Bennett. And nothing Tommy D. did(under pr, there would have been a left-liberal party in Sask. that would probably have backed him on single-payer, since "liberals" would have had no reason to unite there under Ross"Not Related To Margaret But Should Have Been" Thatcher)justifies the fact that it's now going to be almost impossible to EVER get the Saskatchewan Party out of power.
Mon, 2012-09-03 03:33
#400
Mon, 2012-09-03 03:36
#401
To all you advocates of proportional representation, I hope you realize that according to every poll the two rightwing parties CAQ and the PLQ will have way over half the vote together. If the PQ forms a government are you all going to be complaining about how unjust it is that Quebec is being robbed of the rightwing federalist government it clearly wants?
Definitely. And most Canadians will agree.
in Quebec, Solidaire would get more seats, but so could Anglo nut groups and regionalist cranks and Créditistes.
With a 5% threshold, QS yes, others less likely. But do you really think 6% of voters should be silenced? You are keeping company with the Turkish parties who adopted a 10% threshold to keep out the Kurdish party, which led most European democrats to correctly question Turkey's democratic values.
So I am guessing with PR, the total PLQ+CAQ vote would be below half.
By George, I think he's got it!