We have a lost a lot with the demise of the Bloc Quebecoise as a significant presence in Parliament. Social policy in Quebec has been more progressive than elsewhere in Canada for a long time. This is particularly important for policy related to women’s rights, including labour and social policy that allow women’s full participation in society.
This strong progressive voice in Parliament coming from Quebec was a distinct voice and Harper’s recognition of that distinctiveness was responding to this.
The NDP, as Quebec’s voice in Parliament, is not going to be able to fill the space that the BQ had on progressive issues. I fear Quebec will be simply not be part of the equation whenever social policy is at stake. Harper will simply reject the NDP voice on these issues as socialist programs we can’t afford and since no other opposition party will have the political credibility the BQ had, Harper will be free to do his worst.
Marjorie Griffin Cohen // May 4, 2011 at 4:42 pm
It’s really good there are so many women in the NDP Caucus and that certainly has improved the % of women in parliament in general. But my point about the BQ is that because it specifically represented a Quebec point of view, and because Quebec is so much more progressive on social issues than any other government in Canada, not having their presence will be a loss. Remember, even here in BC when the NDP came into power it did not institute pay equity until its dying days — and even then it was not put into law.
Don’t get me wrong because I am thrilled that the NDP is the official opposition. I just feel a BQ absence will allow Harper to more easily dismiss progressive issues.
Keith Reynolds // May 4, 2011 at 1:47 pm
The BQ did play an interesting role and Gilles Duceppe earned the respect of people across Canada. But the NDP now has 40 women in its Caucus. They have a real labour caucus to present the issues of working people.
The NDP Quebec caucus will feature Romeo Saganash, former deputy grand chief of the Grand Council of the Crees; Francoise Boivin, an ex-Liberal MP; and Helene Laverdiere, who was posted for the Department of Foreign Affairs in Washington, Senegal and Chile. Former PSAC President Nicole Turmel was elected in Hill-Aylmer.
Quebec will still have a strong voice for women and working people. So will Canada. And they will even have people who can talk to the disaffected youth who vote in such low numbers.