A little short post - this has been on my mind. Don't know if the
news has reached the US or if they even care, but Quebec had a major political shake-up this week. They have their first minority government is 180 years and the separatist Parti Quebecois (PQ) came if last of the three parties. The Liberals hung on to power but a new party, Action's démocratique du Québec (ADQ) are "autonomist" within Canada (whatever that means) is the Official Opposition. They are lead by a young guy (relatively speaking ) Mario Dumont. In the picture Premier Jean Charest (big picture), Liberal, Mario Dumont (top right), ADQ, and Andre Boisclair (bottom right) of the PQ. The Liberals got 125 seats, the ADQ, 41 and the PQ 36. Interesting times in Quebec.
When going through the old pictures (in preparation for putting in the hardwood) I came across these pictures of the rally in Montreal before the Yes/No vote for Quebec Sovereignty in 1995 (12 years ago - yikes!). A group of us from the Ottawa Board of Eduction went up with pictures and letters from the children at First Avenue School. We found a good tree and strung them on the tree (I am wearing Dad's old red jacket - still have it). We had a lot of wonderful conversations that day - in both official languages - with some translation. It was a very moving experience - one I will always remember.As you remember, the NO only won by 51%. Could have been a very different Canada. With this election - things will be settled for a little while - a good thing for Canada, particularly Atlantic Canada that would have been disconnected from the rest had the YES vote passed. I guess I am in a reflective mood - this was - and is important.
Love ya, Mom, XOP
1 comment:
One analyst on CBC noted that Quebec has been gradually shifting to the right, almost as if they are moving toward the so-called Common Sense Revolution that Ontario went through a decade ago. Interesting times.
Post a Comment