Together We Stand

"We are Quebecers first but we are also proud to belong to the Canadian federation. But beyond the numbers and the billions, it's first and foremost for us the choice of a model of citizenship that is the envy of the entire planet."
"The Parti Quebecois eclipse is over. Political uncertainty has been lifted."
Quebec Liberal Leader and premier-elect Philippe Couillard

Quebec Liberal Leader Philippe Couillard arrives with his wife Suzanne Pilote for his victory speech Monday night. (CP)

"Sincerest congratulations [to Philippe Couillard]."
"The results clearly demonstrate that Quebecers have rejected the idea of a referendum and want a government that will be focused on the economy and job creation."
"We look forward to working with the new government of Quebec on these priorities."
Prime Minister Stephen Harper

With the dignity that a purposeful man of integrity possesses, Prime Minister Harper also thanked the ignominiously-ousted former Quebec premier, Pauline Marois, "for her public service". Indeed, she managed to produce an inestimably valuable public service for Canada, the very country she sought to separate and distance her province from in her search for secession. Her bid to achieve a majority Parti Quebecois government that would produce a referendum to be overwhelmingly supported by pure laine francophones failed miserably.

And in the process once again presented the people of Quebec with the option to either remain within Canada or support the goal of the separatist Parti Quebecois which time and time again has attempted to enthuse francophone Quebecers with the temptation of becoming their own nation, one which unapologetically practises a secular and language apartheid, in acknowledgement of their exceptional entitlements as a bastion of French and secularism in an vastly anglophone world.

The Pequistes conducted as wretched an election campaign as could inconceivably be imagined. Rabidly intent on separation, triumphantly presenting as a candidate an influential media magnate whose financial status trumped her and her husband's own, Pauline Marois was simply swept away with enthusiasm for Pierre Karl Peladeau's bravura performance on announcing his association with the PQ and candidacy for the election.

"I want Quebec to become a country. I am a sovereigntist. Today we have all the tools to take control of our own destiny!"

Mr. Peladeau vowed to destroy the cohesiveness of Confederation, to break Quebec away from Canada, to create chaos, disruption, economic failure, fear and rejection on behalf of his goal, to make his children proud to be Quebecers. Now his children will just have to settle on being unproud to be Canadians. And the members of the news media that crowed with enthusiasm on his revelation of being a PQ supporter and separatist, proudly proclaiming him their hero, will also have to brood over their Canadian identity.

As for Philippe Couillard, his mind has turned toward reconciliation. Committed to undoing the damage that his predecessor in the Premier's office managed to produce in alienating Canadians from Quebec, and his provincial government from its provincial and federal peers. He has vowed to travel across the country to "rebuild the bridges that were destroyed." As leader of the only Quebec political party that is clearly federalist, this honourable man who believes in the utility of bilingualism will be a credit to his province and his country.

And a former prime minister, who was not prepared to surrender the prestige and the pecuniary interests granted him by being on the board of Quebecor, as a protest against working for a man whose intention it was and likely will continue to be, the breakup of a country for his own personal gains in pride and resentment, once again offers a portrait of a man of miserable personal judgement and avarice.