Wednesday, August 4, 2010

Pandering to Quebec to Buy Votes?

Well that's what L.Ian Macdonald is suggesting that PM Harper do to gain seats in Quebec and win a majority government come next election.  He suggests since Quebec is trying to get an NHL franchise back and a bid for the 2022 Olympics that the Conservative government throw money at an NHL caliber arena so that they can have a good chance at bidding for both. He thinks that would win seats for the CPC.
 And that would be a commitment to match the Quebec government's pledge of $175 million to build an NHLcalibre hockey arena in Quebec City. Throw in another $50 million promised by the city and that would probably leave another $100 million in costs that would be covered by selling naming rights to an arena. The move would buttress both Quebec City's bid for the 2022 winter Olympics and, more immediately, for an NHL franchise and the return of the Nordiques.
 L.Ian is suggesting that really taxpayer money from the ROC namely the west  should go to La Belle province to buy votes. Look, I have nothing against the Olympics or the NHL. but throwing money at Quebec, just to buy some more votes?  I don't know, that's what's been happening  since the beginning of Confederation and it's never enough. Governments and parties have been giving that province special attention forever.  They always have their hand out wanting more. It think Quebec has gotten enough funds through equalization etc.

Would it actually win more votes for the CPC?  Who knows?  I don't really think so.  Quebec is fickle, you can never really count them to come through. I say PM Harper should just go back to giving ALL the provinces more autonomy which is  fair to everyone . Every province should be treated the same.  No favorites, please.

BTW, I think it's possible to win a majority without Quebec.  We are only ten short.  If we retain the ones we have, take the one back in Edmonton, a few in BC, a few in Ontario like Mark Holland's seat. I don't think Danny Williams is going to go the route of ABC again so we have a good chance at taking back those we lost in NFLD. 





6 comments:

  1. Conservatives always give Quebec what they want, but when it comes time for the payoff, the Quebekers always find a way to not give anything in return; witness the last election when the fake issue of arts funding gave Quebekers the excuse to not vote for the Conservatives..

    Enough is never enough for the people of Quebec.

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  2. I would prefer if we don't spend another $ 200 million in Quebec to lock up those seats.

    We already transfer billions through equalization and they have used it to create an unsustainable welfare state.

    They can raise their hydro rates, property taxes and create a levy to build an NHL stadium.

    The federal government needs to balance their books and return to a smaller role.

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  3. And after the Conservatives throw money at Quebec so the province can host the 2022 Olympics and the ROC can pick up the tab for the cost overruns. (Remember the Big O) The votes gained are not worth the cost.

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  4. Harper has already done too much for Quebec, that and the CHRC sec 13 is why I no longer vote. There are other reasons but these are 2 of the main ones. An Ontarian.

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  5. They can raise their hydro rates, property taxes and create a levy to build an NHL stadium.

    Don't forget, they also have their shale natural gas reserves they should get busy and tap into.

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  6. have long held the view that standing against further pandering to Quebec would not lose Tory vote in total - whatever was lost in Quebec would be compensated for in the ROC - and likely produce overall gains - not unlike Trudeau in the 70-80's who crapped on the west for gain in Ontario - what goes around .......?

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