Quebec's Ongoing Entitlements
The Bloc Quebecois remains resolutely hostile to national unity. Hardly surprising, since they have reiterated their stance continually, and it is beyond obvious they have no interest whatever in the welfare and the future of Canada. Their interest lies only in what they can squeeze out of Canada in the way of concessions relating to sovereignty and their provincial empowerment, including of course, the financial wherewithal to comport themselves as an exceptional governing body.
They cannot recognize when they add insult to injury, for they are completely inured to the concept of modest gratitude and loyalty other than as it relates to their vision of themselves as a "national" body representing an extraordinary nation. One with hereditary ties to France, but exempt from any manner of recognition that it is indebted also to the rest of Canada, taking into account our long historical connection that is overdue recognition.
Instead, the Bloc with the arrogantly hypocritical and bloodless Gilles Duceppe blandly informs the federal government that Quebec awaits further munificent gifts from the national treasury to make it feel appreciated. Which state of affairs is simply a reflection of what they are owed. And which will not, upon the acceptance of the demands, result in a mellowed Quebec content to acknowledge its historical place within Confederation, stretching into the future.
They will deign to give their 47-seat support to the federal minority Conservatives' new budget as long as $5-billion is forked out to engage Quebec's interest in compliant acceptance. The breakdown logical enough in their estimation; $2.2-billion to be earmarked as compensation in recognition of the province's agreeing to harmonize provincial sales tax with the federal GST.
Oh, and while we're at it, remember that disastrous ice storm back in 1998 and its costs? They'd like reimbursement for their provincial emergency outlay - about $421-million, thanks a whole bunch. Now let's see, how about pumping up equalization another $1.5-billion? This is a recommendation, not a question, please note. A recommendation posing as a request posing as a requisite for going along to get along.
Too steep a price for the federal government in cognizance that this represents taxes absorbed from all the other provinces who themselves would favour a more balanced and representative deal? There's the offer, messieurs, take it or leave it No one wants an election at this time, isn't that correct? Mr. Duceppe, estimable Bloc leader, insists the government is practising a double standard, favouring, for example, Ontario over Quebec.
Rich, isn't it? Mr. Duceppe fulminates that the Conservative-led government of Prime Minister Stephen Harper doesn't take Quebec's needs sufficiently fully into consideration, nor does he take the province's requests seriously enough. As, for example, Quebec City's polite request for federal funding for a proposed new hockey arena, the better to entice the return of the NHL to the city.
The Liberals would listen, they would be open to these recommendations/suggestions/requests - demands? Their leader, Michael Ignatieff, is musing about just that, in fact. His party, he suggested, would indeed give serious consideration to federal funding in support of the planned 18,000-seat arena. For it is clear the installation would have a "cultural" component, and the Liberals are all in favour of Canadian culture.
Whereas the Conservatives are not. The prime minister revealed a low regard for cultural events on several noted occasions and that is not readily forgotten. The arts community is very sensitive to neglect, and who can blame them? Mind, most taxpayers would resist strenuously, tax dollars going in support of an NHL franchise that pays its players exorbitantly, and is a magnet for big corporate bucks; some culture that is.
This is a vexing issue that should be allowed to die a quick death; why is it being resurrected?
Wait, we're not finished, not quite. Quebec envisions that with an $800-million additional advance on its post-secondary and health future to be embellished further beyond what pertains in any other province, they can talk a done deal.
They cannot recognize when they add insult to injury, for they are completely inured to the concept of modest gratitude and loyalty other than as it relates to their vision of themselves as a "national" body representing an extraordinary nation. One with hereditary ties to France, but exempt from any manner of recognition that it is indebted also to the rest of Canada, taking into account our long historical connection that is overdue recognition.
Instead, the Bloc with the arrogantly hypocritical and bloodless Gilles Duceppe blandly informs the federal government that Quebec awaits further munificent gifts from the national treasury to make it feel appreciated. Which state of affairs is simply a reflection of what they are owed. And which will not, upon the acceptance of the demands, result in a mellowed Quebec content to acknowledge its historical place within Confederation, stretching into the future.
They will deign to give their 47-seat support to the federal minority Conservatives' new budget as long as $5-billion is forked out to engage Quebec's interest in compliant acceptance. The breakdown logical enough in their estimation; $2.2-billion to be earmarked as compensation in recognition of the province's agreeing to harmonize provincial sales tax with the federal GST.
Oh, and while we're at it, remember that disastrous ice storm back in 1998 and its costs? They'd like reimbursement for their provincial emergency outlay - about $421-million, thanks a whole bunch. Now let's see, how about pumping up equalization another $1.5-billion? This is a recommendation, not a question, please note. A recommendation posing as a request posing as a requisite for going along to get along.
Too steep a price for the federal government in cognizance that this represents taxes absorbed from all the other provinces who themselves would favour a more balanced and representative deal? There's the offer, messieurs, take it or leave it No one wants an election at this time, isn't that correct? Mr. Duceppe, estimable Bloc leader, insists the government is practising a double standard, favouring, for example, Ontario over Quebec.
Rich, isn't it? Mr. Duceppe fulminates that the Conservative-led government of Prime Minister Stephen Harper doesn't take Quebec's needs sufficiently fully into consideration, nor does he take the province's requests seriously enough. As, for example, Quebec City's polite request for federal funding for a proposed new hockey arena, the better to entice the return of the NHL to the city.
The Liberals would listen, they would be open to these recommendations/suggestions/requests - demands? Their leader, Michael Ignatieff, is musing about just that, in fact. His party, he suggested, would indeed give serious consideration to federal funding in support of the planned 18,000-seat arena. For it is clear the installation would have a "cultural" component, and the Liberals are all in favour of Canadian culture.
Whereas the Conservatives are not. The prime minister revealed a low regard for cultural events on several noted occasions and that is not readily forgotten. The arts community is very sensitive to neglect, and who can blame them? Mind, most taxpayers would resist strenuously, tax dollars going in support of an NHL franchise that pays its players exorbitantly, and is a magnet for big corporate bucks; some culture that is.
This is a vexing issue that should be allowed to die a quick death; why is it being resurrected?
Wait, we're not finished, not quite. Quebec envisions that with an $800-million additional advance on its post-secondary and health future to be embellished further beyond what pertains in any other province, they can talk a done deal.
Labels: Economy, Government of Canada, Inconvenient Politics
posted by Pieface | 6:46 PM
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