To be honest, this title will make Anglophones from coast to coast wince, who at heart are now more considerate, officially, if not felt, of the Aboriginal nations than of the ‘nation’ of Quebec.
This French-speaking power, which has swept across Quebec with the exception of Montreal, is not without critics in English Canada. We only have to read the media from coast to coast combining French with racist, xenophobia, Islamophobia and other words of the same ilk.
Some anticaquists felt that François Legault and his ex-minister Jean Boulet, re-elected, let us specify, should have been sanctioned by voters for their unwelcome pronouncements on immigration. But it was nothing. However, this does not mean that their choice of words could be justified. Let’s not forget that words are never innocent. Especially in politics.
On the other hand, the Anglophone power that allowed the PLQ to dominate Quebec political life always had good press in English Canada. As an ex-Liberal who has used his political clout for decades told me yesterday, and who now speaks on condition of anonymity, “without the political power of Montreal, the economic center of all of Quebec is in jeopardy.”
However, the CAQ – and some nationalists accuse it of this – includes federalist mandate holders, all of them French-speaking, born purely in the business world. They inherited all ministries with economic vocations during their first term. Despite the pandemic, Quebec’s economy has thrived thanks to her skills and experience.
This election was painful in several ways. Above all, it conveyed the image of an angry Quebec, unkind, concerned, intolerant at its extremes.
The gulf between Montreal, the haven of Anglophones, and the rest of Quebec, a metaphor for the large family of native or chosen Francophones, is deep. In this regard, the PLQ, which comprises only 6% of Francophones, has turned into a geographical island of Montreal that bodes ill for a bright future. Except in English!
Dominique Anglade conducted his election campaign with permanent aggressiveness. It seems to be here to stay, and François Legault has to be particularly careful in choosing who will chair the National Assembly. This person will have a lot to do to impose his authority on tenor roosters like Nadeau-Dubois or Bernard Drainville and charged opposition leader Dominique Anglade.
French, secularism and immigration
As for the Prime Minister, he needs to rediscover the seriousness that has served him so well in helping Quebecers weather the worst moments of the pandemic. This win on Monday finds its source in the exemplary behavior and moderate tone we know for him.
There is a downside to this clear victory for the French-speaking power in Quebec, personified by François Legault. He has a duty to say loud and clear that the fight for the French, secularism and control of our immigration and related powers are non-negotiable.
Justin Trudeau’s indecent statement that he wants to increase the number of immigrants is a slap in the face to François Legault. An insult to his victory last Monday.
As if the power of the Francophones in Quebec was a rattle in the eyes of Canada’s post-national prime minister.
