Quebec Elections: Liberals cruising to majority government

CBC News ^ | 14 Apr 2003 | CBC News

[July 4th]

MONTREAL - CBC News predicts a Liberal majority government in Quebec, making Jean Charest the next premier of the province.

It is Charest's first victory as leader of the provincial party after stepping down as leader of the federal Progressive Conservatives.

The Liberals defeated the ruling Parti Quebecois and Bernard Landry; and Mario Dumont's upstart Action Démocratique du Québec.

All three party leaders won their ridings.

In his concession speech, Landry thanked party supporters and congratulated Charest.

"I have to congratulate very warmly the leader of the Liberal party who has conducted his troops to a very impressive victory which was owed to them," said Landry.

Speaking to dejected supporters, Dumont vowed to continue developing the party's relationship with English speakers in the province.

Prime Minister Jean Chrétien expressed his satisfaction with the vote, reading the results to guests at a state dinner in the Dominican Republic. The prime minister is there on an official visit.

"Between Mike Weir and Quebec we have two good things," said Chrétien.

Charest's campaign focused on health care. He promised to cut government subsidies, tax credits to big businesses and trim the civil service. Charest also predicted Parti Quebecois leader Bernard Landry would call another sovereignty referendum of elected.

[July 4th]

"Between Mike Weir and Quebec we have two good things," said Chrétien.

Chrétien went on to explain that he had no idea what "two good things" were actually between Mike Weir and Quebec.

But seriously, Canada is one step further away from removing the cancerous cyst that is Quebec.

[gcruse]

How is getting rid of Quebec helped by defeating the separatist party?

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[Diddle E. Squat]

All three party leaders won their ridings.

So what exactly does that mean? I'm somewhat ignorant when it comes to parliamentary style governments. Also, could you explain which party is liberal, moderate, nutty green, etc.?

[July 4th]

How is getting rid of Quebec helped by defeating the separatist party?

It isn't. That's what I said - Canada is one step further away from being done with Quebec.

[Porterville]

Who cares how it works; let tarrif these fools out of existence and steal their diamonds, oil, and large cedar...

[July 4th]

So what exactly does that mean?

I believe a "riding" is just another word for constituency. So it means that the leaders of the three main parties all won their home districts.

[gcruse]

Duh. Learning to read was one thing, understanding what I read is becoming something rare.

[LizardQueen]

Great, that's all we need here in Vermont - a rabidly French nation directly north of our border.

Oh, wait, we already have that. Never mind....

Seriously, I do wonder what the implications for defense, trade, border security, etc. would be if Quebec did secede.

Personally, I would prefer it just drop into the center of the earth. Then we can push Nova Scotia a little to the left and attach it to Ontario.

LQ

[July 4th]

Also, could you explain which party is liberal, moderate, nutty green, etc.?

Can't help you much there, besides the fact that the PQ (separatists) lost pretty badly. I have heard that the ADQ - yes, the tiny little third party - is the closest thing the Quebecois have to a conservative party.

[Bogey78O]

Isn't that like predicting a liberal will win in San Francisco? The only choice being Democrat liberal or Green liberal.

[July 4th]

Yeah, it looks like the ADQ won't even get 20% of the vote, which I just read is what they need for official party status. (They're at 18% and only 4 seats.)

[John H K]

Actually we in the US are oddballs in using "liberal" to mean "far left."

The party further to the Right won this election, the "Liberal" party.

[Diddle E. Squat]

Thanks for the explanation.

[albertabound]

Charest is a fiscal conservative and this landslide win is a huge move to the right in Quebec, away from the separatistes. The liberals in quebec spell a distinct attitude for change from the status quo in Canada, and one which could translate into a dramatic change in the federal government as well.

[montag813]

Why is this news? Did anybody expect different? No politics in Canada matters at all. They sold their soul for the Euro-whore Chretien. There will be no redemption for that act of evil.

[albertabound]

It is news because this election sets a revisionist tone in Canadian politics, a dramatic shift to the right in Quebec portends a rejection of the socialistic trends Canadians have been saddled with under status quo governments over the past 10 years. If we are to cohabitate this great continent with French Canadians, a more US and English Canada friendly administration in Quebec is a definite improvement and bodes well for the future.The separatistes are out on their asses, Chretien and his trained seals are next.

[ijcr]

Vert - Green. Mont - Mountain. It is too late.

[X_CDN_EH]

A riding is an electoral district. A candidate has to be elected first and get to Parliament to become a Minister, like a Secretary. So someone runs for his local riding and is chosen the Prime Minister to run the country. He selects his Cabinet of Ministers from MP's, Members of Parliament.

There is no seperate Executive branch of Government but there is a seperate Judicial Branch.

This system can be very efficient and get many things 'done' unlike the U.S. system which can be slow and cumbersome most of the time. This system works well when everyone in parliament is working for the betterment of the counrty.

The down side is that the ruling party can outlaw the opposition. Look to many former British colonies in the African continent.