How does a government preparing to invest more in homelessness end up in the dock in the communal world?
How is it that a government that has finally begun the energy transition comes under suspicion of wanting to make progress both too quickly and too little?
Welcome to the wonderful world of politics. The one about whom it is not good to tell the whole truth.
The CAQ has learned this the hard way over the past few days.
Everything is perception
Emotions always come before reason in politics.
This is why a mayor’s outrage at the tragedy of homelessness on her streets will always win the battle of public opinion against a minister who wants to declare that the sums are available for intervention in Quebec.
That it is completely unfair to hear the mayor of Gatineau in question claim that she would “do the job” of the Minister of Human Services in her place will always be lost in the equation.
Welcome to the life of Minister Lionel Carmant, faced with finding solutions to complex social problems.
He should seek consolation from his colleagues Pierre Fitzgibbon and Eric Girard, who often dare to say “the real thing,” however unpopular they may be.
The Secretary of Energy doesn’t care if there’s an outcry.
He was right when he said that at some point the car fleet would have to be cut in half. And dare to mention what financial means need to be considered to force taxpayers to change their lifestyle on the long road to energy transition.
Horror, the end of anti-inflation controls? Is it unthinkable to tax large cars?
But no, as the finance minister pointed out, the government is the trustee of the entire economy. He has to think short AND long term.
The fireman
But politics is also and above all the art of dealing with the expectations of the population.
Everyone is touched by the human tragedy that afflicts the streets of our cities. But who is willing to pay more taxes to take care of these homeless people, support them for months and years and enable them to reintegrate into active society?
Everyone is concerned about the climate catastrophe looming over our heads. But who would trade the comfort of their SUV for the archaic labyrinth of our public transport? Worse still, who’s willing to pay more for their SUV to fund those potential subway and tram lines?
So many families are on the brink because of the cost of living crisis. But who will be willing to sell their home or skip meals to absorb the blow while inflation falls again?
This is where the wires touch. When we need to reconcile these difficult truths with political reality.
This is where Prime Minister Legault comes in, dampening enthusiasm.
Everyone does their job. The mayors claim. Ministers reflect and tackle problems head-on. The Prime Minister calms down.
Basically, it’s healthy if the wires touch each other from time to time.
