Pay Up, Canada
The urge to "pie" Gilles Duceppe, leader of the Bloc Quebecois increases daily. His provocative pronouncements of Quebec sovereignty, expectations, exceptionalism and entitlement are gagging, galling and deliberately incendiary.
As though the rest of Canada hasn't sufficiently kowtowed to Quebec's perennial grievances as a misunderstood, under-appreciated, long-suffering nation-aspiring entity. No amount of assurances of how much they are loved and valued assuages their sense of grievance.
So why bother going out of our way any longer? Why cannot we simply say, grow up, mature as part of a vibrant nation, or just shut up.
And by the way, we're reducing those equalization payments; if you're so special, begin earning your 'special' status, on your own dime. But Quebecers have no shame; at least the 37% of them that keep voting the Bloc Quebecois back into Parliament so they can be paid through tax dollars to agitate for secession.
And here's Gilles Duceppe, digging that sharp knife just below the ribs of Canadian taxpayers again: "I am now challenging Stephen Harper to respond to Quebec's expectations. We are asking for simple fairness, elementary justice", he intoned gravely. If Prime Minister Harper neglects somehow to understand that Quebec's expectations are to be met, Quebecers will understand they have been abandoned.
"Quebecers will remember in the next election. Mr.Harper has a choice. He can respond to Quebec's expectations or he can spark elections. On our side, we will not fold. We are going to stand up for Quebec. My dear friends" he said, addressing a party general council meeting, "prepare yourselves for a rough battle."
Quebec deserves, and demands, Mr. Duceppe contends, an additional $5-billion out of federal coffers, brimming over with plenty of loose change, thanks to the Canadian taxpayer. Quebec needs more loose change for more subsidized day-care spaces at cheap rates, to lower already lowest university tuition, bring in more doctors and nurses, and pay for mopping up after the ice storm that occurred over a decade earlier.
And, oh yes, the Canadian taxpayer should be prepared to cough up a goodly portion of the $400,000 Quebec City envisages having to shell out for a brand-new, state-of-the-art professional sports stadium to encourage the NHL to bring its team back 'home'. Count on it.
As though the rest of Canada hasn't sufficiently kowtowed to Quebec's perennial grievances as a misunderstood, under-appreciated, long-suffering nation-aspiring entity. No amount of assurances of how much they are loved and valued assuages their sense of grievance.
So why bother going out of our way any longer? Why cannot we simply say, grow up, mature as part of a vibrant nation, or just shut up.
And by the way, we're reducing those equalization payments; if you're so special, begin earning your 'special' status, on your own dime. But Quebecers have no shame; at least the 37% of them that keep voting the Bloc Quebecois back into Parliament so they can be paid through tax dollars to agitate for secession.
And here's Gilles Duceppe, digging that sharp knife just below the ribs of Canadian taxpayers again: "I am now challenging Stephen Harper to respond to Quebec's expectations. We are asking for simple fairness, elementary justice", he intoned gravely. If Prime Minister Harper neglects somehow to understand that Quebec's expectations are to be met, Quebecers will understand they have been abandoned.
"Quebecers will remember in the next election. Mr.Harper has a choice. He can respond to Quebec's expectations or he can spark elections. On our side, we will not fold. We are going to stand up for Quebec. My dear friends" he said, addressing a party general council meeting, "prepare yourselves for a rough battle."
Quebec deserves, and demands, Mr. Duceppe contends, an additional $5-billion out of federal coffers, brimming over with plenty of loose change, thanks to the Canadian taxpayer. Quebec needs more loose change for more subsidized day-care spaces at cheap rates, to lower already lowest university tuition, bring in more doctors and nurses, and pay for mopping up after the ice storm that occurred over a decade earlier.
And, oh yes, the Canadian taxpayer should be prepared to cough up a goodly portion of the $400,000 Quebec City envisages having to shell out for a brand-new, state-of-the-art professional sports stadium to encourage the NHL to bring its team back 'home'. Count on it.
Labels: Canada, Crisis Politics, Culture, Government of Canada
posted by Pieface | 7:00 PM
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