Tags
Alex Salmond, Davos, Nicola Matteis, Pauline Marois, Pierre Duchesne, Quebec, Quebec Premier, Sarabande, Scotland, World Economic Forum
Marois rencontrera son homologue Alex Salmond au Parlement écossais.
Photo : La Presse canadienne (photo) Clément Allard ι Pauline Marois
(Madame Marois will meet with Scottish First Minister Alex Salmond, SNP, at the Scottish Parliament)
1) Madame Marois’ possible attempt to enlist the help of Scottish First Minister Alex Salmond or to show that other Leaders are also seeking votes among Young students
- Le Devoir: http://www.ledevoir.com/politique/quebec/369388/vote-a-16-ans-marois-se-dit-inspiree-par-l-ecosse
- Alex Salmond: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alex_Salmond
- Alex Salmond warned: http://www.scotsman.com/news/politics/top-stories/alex-salmond-warned-to-accept-uk-referendum-ruling-1-2762154
Madame Pauline Marois (born March 29, 1949) would like to lower the voting age to 16 years old, as would Scottish First Minister Alex Salmond. Madame Marois was in London yesterday, but, after attending Davos (World Economic Forum (WEF), she will be traveling to Scotland to discuss this matter (sixteen-year-olds voting) with her homologue (counterpart) Alex Salmond (born 31 December 1954).
Quebec Premier Pauline Marois has been described as an “opportunist.” (See Related Articles). We can now add that she will travel to great lengths to achieve her goals and reveal, by trying to justify her behavior, the manner in which votes may have been obtained in the September 2012 Quebec General Election.
(please click on the image to enlarge it)
Pauline Marois with Students: Announcing Flag Day (January 21, 2013)
2) Pierre Duchesne: Monsieur Duchesne says “no,” for the moment, to the idea of tuition-free education for Québécois and Quebecers
Pierre Duchesne: Minister of Higher Education, Research, Science and Technology
- La Presse: http://www.lapresse.ca/actualites/dossiers/conflit-etudiant/201301/27/01-4615531-pierre-duchesne-ecarte-la-gratuite.php
- (See also: http://www.lapresse.ca/le-soleil/actualites/education/201301/27/01-4615567-financement-des-universites-pierre-duchesne-ouvre-son-jeu.php)
“Pour la première fois aujourd’hui, le ministre Pierre Duchesne a opposé une fin de non-recevoir aux partisans de la gratuité scolaire, dans le cadre des discussions qui précèdent son grand Sommet sur l’éducation.”
Below, please find a correct, but general, rather than literal, translation, I moved a clause, of the above statement. My quotation was taken from the 27 January 2013 issue of the French-language newspaper La Presse.
“For the first time today, as part of the discussions preceding his great Summit on Education, Pierre Duchesne, [Quebec’s] Minister of Higher Education, told advocates of free tuition that the idea of free tuition would not be contemplated [during the Summit].”
It’s a dead-end.
Conclusion
It may be hasty to confirm that Pauline Marois, the Premier of Quebec, made promises she could not and cannot respect. However, her [presumed][i] attempt to enlist the help of Scottish First Minister, or use him as an example, suggests that she is seeking the support of very young students. Her traveling to Scotland also suggests that during the last Quebec General Election, 4 September 2012, students may have been used or manipulated so Pauline Marois could further personal goals.
A third referendum: “to separate” or “not to separate” from Canada, may be held sooner than later. (See CBC News)
Will Scotland’s possible or probable example make it easier for Madame Marois to lower the voting age to 16 years old?
Quebec Premier-elect Pauline Marois and her husband, Claude Blanchet, are among the dignitaries attending the funeral services for Denis Blanchette Monday, September 10, 2012 in Montreal. Richard Bain is charged with first degree murder in the shooting death of Blanchette and wounding another man outside the Parti Québécois election night rally. THE CANADIAN PRESS / Ryan Remiorz
This post was written yesterday evening, 27 January 2013, but I could not finish it because my very punctual cat started biting my clothes in an attempt to separate me from my computer? What, a separatist!
I have therefore updated the News links below.
Micheline's Blog 
A cat with a political agenda, how cosmopolitan. Best
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This cat is very persuasive. Best, MW
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Dear Micheline, I think your cat is very cute! Thank you for having remembered her! I know that is a very good friend, your cat!
Madame Pauline Marois interesting idea, be entitled to vote at 16!
In my country, the right to vote is at 18!
Have a wonderful day and many blessings, dear Micheline!
Big hugs always with love, yours friend Stefania! 🙂
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Dear Stefania,
In Canada, we also vote at 18. At the age of 18, one is still discovering. In fact, we keep learning as we age. So at 16, one is very young.
To a large extent, Madame Marois was elected premier because she supported students who opposed a very small increase in tuition fees. But she knew that tuition fees were not allowing universities to support themselves. But the fees will now be raised. So she manipulated the students. She now hopes to gain even greater support from students, hence her attempt to lower the voting age.
Madame Marois’ political party is a separatist party. The aim is to divide Canada. We have a lovely country, so why should she bring disorder? So I am making sure people know she can lie in her quest for power.
I have a lovely cat, a constant companion. Big hugs and much love. Micheline
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The connection with Scotland is interesting (and historical?). I think 16 is young to vote but I also worry that our young people even by 18 often have already lost interest in voting. At what age do we need to capture their attention to help them understand the importance of voting. In the case of the Canadian students do you wonder how many find it easier to riot or strike than vote? What proportion of 18 year olds actually vote in elections?
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I apologize for this belated answer. The students do not seem to know that they can vote. In fact, I am not certain they have been taught to respect the law. Thisi is distressing.
My love to you,
Micheline
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Without a doubt Madame Marois’ agenda was very clear from the outset. Everyone knew she is a sovreignist (I’m betraying my sympathies here.) All politicians will exploit whatever advantage they can for a vote. A true statesperson, a leader who can rise above and see the best options for all proceed with that in mind, she may not be. I know of no such people active in politics in the world today. She is at least making an effort which is more than one could say for many so-called ideologues. She really wants Quebec to be independent – it’s not just a side-show.
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James, I have replied to your comment and it came back to me. I therefore replied a second time.
Madame Marois’ agenda was clear. However, the end does not always justify the means. She used the students. She made them believe free tuition was possible.
When I was a University teacher, I did not discuss colleagues with students. They were students and did not want to involve them in departmental skirmishes.
Ethics is my concern.
I don’t know to what extent she wants genuine independence from Canada. It could be she is interested in souveraineté-association: a different contract with Ottawa.
I am anxious to see what happens during the Summit on Education. Free tuition has been ruled out, which will tarnish her image. The students who supported her believed her. The truth is that Quebec cannot afford what Madame Marois more or less promised. This matter is also creating dissent within her party.
My father was a public figure and an indépendantiste. He is still alive, but no longer active. I’ve followed this debate since I was a child.
Take care,
Micheline
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Thank you for your insight Micheline. I very much appreciate the thoughts and concerns of people living on the ground and breathing the Quebec air. It will indeed be interesting to watch unfold. I hope all for the best.
Best Regards,
James
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James, You are most welcome. I think that in the end all will be well. There are very competent individuals in the National Assembly (Quebec’s House of Parliament). Enrollment in immersion programmes has skyrocketed. There is willingness to agree. In fact, English-speaking Canadians do not want to lose their French-speaking neighbours. There are a few rednecks, but that is always the case. I thank you for your valuable comments. Have a good weekend. Micheline
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Definitely, what a magnificent blog and instructive posts, I definitely will bookmark your website.Best Regards!
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Thank you very much. MW
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