There is something to laugh about (yellow) when we hear the Parti Québécois deplore the choice of Émile Bilodeau to host the show for the national holiday, believing that this is a choice “anything but unifying”! As far back as I can remember, the organizers of the party have imposed on Quebecers leaders and spokespersons close to the independence movement and the Parti Québécois, artists (of great talent, that’s for sure) who took advantage of the opportunity to vigorously promote the sovereignist project. Were these unifying choices? Many Quebecers who did not share this option always felt excluded from the celebration, which was much more the celebration of the separatists than a truly “national” holiday, that is to say a celebration of Quebec in all its richness. and its diversity (including its diversity of opinions).
For my part, I still do not understand why the Quebec government entrusts the organization of the national holiday to the Mouvement national des Québécois. Indeed, this movement, although it is officially non-partisan, has always been more than favorable to the independence of Quebec. All you have to do to be convinced of this is to read the names of the winners of the René-Lévesque medal, awarded by the Movement. According to the MNQ website, this medal “underlines the exceptional and unique contribution of the recipients to the building of modern Quebec, to its enrichment, its affirmation and its international influence”. However, four people have received this honor so far: Jacques Parizeau, Gilles Vigneault, Lise Payette and Bernard Landry. There is therefore no federalist Quebecer who, according to the MNQ, has made an exceptional contribution to the construction of modern Quebec? John Lesage? Robert Bourassa?
Émile Bilodeau’s choice is in line with the tradition of choosing separatist figureheads to promote the national holiday. The PQ may be offended by this choice because Mr. Bilodeau has dared to criticize the PQ in the past. I doubt that the majority of Quebecers who oppose separation are offended by it: they are used to seeing their party – like many other symbols of our nation – monopolized by sovereignists.
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