Ghost of a flea

Federal sponsorship scandal

Now the Jean Brault testimony is (for the most part) out in the open it is worth asking about the original purpose of the sponsorship program. I believe this is particularly important given that the Bloc Qu�becois looks set to make gains at the expense of the federal Liberal party, even to the point of sweeping Qu�bec seats. Last night a CBC piece quoted someone as saying the scandal had damaged the voice of federalism and made it difficult to "make the case for Canada" in Qu�bec.

Why?

Why is the Liberal party synonymous with Canada in Qu�bec? Or anywhere else? We can blame the particularities of Qu�bec politics but having dated a Newfoundlander I can assure you it is impossible to breath the word Qu�bec without a lecture on Newfoundland nationalism. I have heard some of the same from Alberta and would be least surprised of all if British Columbia decided to go its own way. So it seems to me nationalism is not the problem whether it be of the Canadian or specific regional variety.

The problem is rather the idea that the Liberal party should stand as the sword and the arm of confederation. Where are the alternate voices of federalism in Qu�bec? Where is the NDP? Where are the Conservatives? The question we should be asking ourselves is how with all we are learning about Liberal corruption that the only other port in the storm for Qu�becois(e) is a sovereigntist party lead by an ex-Marxist. Jack Layton and Stephen Harper are making a pathetic showing of it and nobody seems to notice. Or is it that for all too many socialists nodding their heads in agreement to any claim of victimhood, or for all too many conservatives with a grudge against the French, that Qu�bec is no longer a part of Canada worth fighting for.

Posted by Ghost of a flea at April 8, 2005 09:06 AM

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