It's not easy being in the opposition, I know that. Often we find ourselves in the wrong role, getting stuck and in danger of appearing whiny. However, you have to maintain a certain sense of responsibility and behave like someone who could come to power.
What then should we make of the opposition parties whose elected officials are walking around the demonstration sites these weeks encouraging the strikers? They will say they support the improvements in public services that the striking workers are demanding.
But there is a very fine line between encouraging strikers and encouraging strikes. Is it appropriate for an opposition MP to support the strike while schools are closed and operations postponed? I'm tempted to answer no. Even worse for a leader.
- Listen to the live broadcast of the Dutrizac – Dumont meeting every day at 7:05 am. above QUB radio :
Solidarity Quebec
I make an exception for Québec Solidaire, a decidedly left-wing party that has never governed and is not in the process of getting there. His pro-union stance is well known and well known.
The pickets are a natural habitat for the Quebec solidarity activist like eucalyptus forests are for the koala. If one day a QS government came to negotiate with civil servants, public sector unions would dream of a windfall.
But what can we say about the Liberals who have repeatedly negotiated agreements and always negotiated with determination? They cleverly sent the popular MP Marwah Rizqy to the strikers. This seems to be well received.
But seriously, just a few years ago these same unions were talking about the carnage the Liberal government was wreaking on schools. Rigor! How can the Quebec Liberal Party play the political game to the point of going to the picket lines today and calling on the government to loosen monetary policy? And without laughing.
Photo agency QMI, Marcel Tremblay
The Parti Québécois
As for the Parti Québécois, the leader and MPs were sufficiently present to support the strikers. I even saw new MP Pascal Paradis speak at a Common Front demonstration. “Do not give up. We’re still with you!” Doesn’t that directly promote the strike?
The MP could also have mentioned in his speech that in the last strike of this kind, his party had decided that schools should reopen after three weeks. He could have explained that the founding leader of his party then passed one of the strictest special laws to force teachers to return to work.
Strikes are legal, but should only be used as a last resort. The opposition can encourage both sides to negotiate. It can publicly blame the government for its failures or mistakes in the negotiations. The CAQ deserves no congratulations for its strategy.
But encourage the strike? It's no.