(Artwork with permission from La Galerie Walter Klinkhoff, Montreal)

Dear Readers,

I had a cataract removed this week.  The operation was successful, but I haven’t been able to post blogs for a few days and must limit the number of hours I spend in front of a computer.  However, I will attempt to post a revised blog.  In the meantime, I thought I should send a little update on Quebec.

News

I have news to relay.  Madame Marois, Quebec’s premier, has lost considerable support because she has imposed further taxation on Québécois: $300.00, whatever one’s financial status.  She is also planning to send back to work people who are disabled or live on welfare.  Obtaining financial help from the Quebec government is very difficult, despite the taxes Quebec residents have to pay to “two levels of government.”  See Pauline Marois’ Offensive.  Individuals receiving benefits have to prove they cannot work to the extent that people who should be receiving disability benefits do not.  Besides, where would they find employment?  Is anyone interested in investing in a Quebec led by Madame Marois’ Parti Québécois?  Moreover, people are leaving the province.

a new leader for Quebec’s Liberal Party

More importantly, the Liberal Party in Quebec has chosen a new leader, Dr Philippe Couillard.  It was not a huge victory, but Monsieur Couillard seems a good choice as leader of Quebec’s federalist Liberal Party.  Moreover, if an election were called, which could be the case, the Parti Québécois would not get sufficient votes.  This would help the Liberals.  Madame Marois leads a minority government.

In brief conversations with persons I met during my trips to the hospital, I heard many express considerable disappointment with Madame Marois’ government.  They know she obtained votes by giving students the impression that, as Quebec’s Premier, she would not increase tuition fees and that students may in fact receive a tuition-free education, including those who are impervious to instruction.  I hope they also know that if tuition fees will rise by a mere $70.00 annually, it is, to a large extent, at an unacceptable cost to the elderly and to the needy.

Philippe Couillard would Sign the patriated constitution

The truly good news is that, if elected to the Premiership of Quebec, Monsieur Couillard would probably sign the Patriated Constitution, honouring the contract Quebec entered into when Canada became a confederation: the British North America Act, 1867.  For Quebeckers, the priority is employment.  It is unfortunate that they should be unable to see that the creation of jobs depends, to a very large extent, on Quebec’s place among Canada’s ten provinces.  There has to be stability in Quebec.

SOURCES:

National Post: Couillard elected leader of the Quebec Liberal Party

http://fullcomment.nationalpost.com/2013/03/18/graeme-hamilton-quebec-liberals-take-a-gamble-with-new-leader-philippe-couillard/

 

The National Post: Couillard contemplates signing the Patriated Constitution

http://fullcomment.nationalpost.com/2013/03/20/kelly-mcparland-mulcair-and-couillard-contemplate-opening-constitutional-box-of-horrors/ 

 

The Globe and Mail: Quebec says, jobs not the constitution come first

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/jobs-not-constitution-top-of-mind-in-quebec-ottawa-says/article9977709/

 

Students remain defiant:

http://fullcomment.nationalpost.com/2012/05/17/jesse-kline-quebec-students-highlight-need-for-right-to-learn-provinces/

 

Ex-Student leader: Gabriel Nadeau-Dubois

http://www.montrealgazette.com/news/student+leader+Gabriel+Nadeau+Dubois+appeal+contempt+court+ruling/7489294/story.html

 

Summit on Education:  Martine Desjardins FEUQ

http://oncampus.macleans.ca/education/tag/martine-desjardins/

 

FEUQ:

http://www.montrealgazette.com/news/Student+group+FEUQ+youth+wing+join+forces+ahead/8009059/story.html 

 

composer: Claude Debussy (22 August 1862 – 25 March 1918)

piece: Feux d’artifice (Fireworks)

performer: Marc-André Hamelin (born September 5, 1961)

 

© Micheline Walker

23 March 2013

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