A rare event marked the 10e anniversary of the CAQ last weekend. Some activists have dared to be critical of the Legault government’s environmental policies, in particular the third link.
It is true that the Prime Minister himself recently recognized that this project “is not in line with the objectives” of reducing GHG emissions that Quebec has set for itself.
Since the founding of the party, CAQ meetings have been more like apple pie festivals. Everyone-he-is-handsome, everyone-he-is-nice, especially the chef. Happy people have no history, it seems. To the chagrin of journalists, a little nostalgic for the rat race to which each PQ rally once gave place. Fortunately, the Liberals seem to have taken a liking to bickering.
Once again, there was no contentious issue in the regional proposals that were submitted to the Caquist General Council. It is very difficult to oppose the transfer of public jobs to the regions, unless you pay for it yourself, or even aid for economic development in rural municipalities. Talking about language or health might have darkened the party.
In fact, we should be delighted to hear a few dissenting voices raised within the CAQ. Perhaps this is a sign that it is starting to become a real party rather than some sort of fan club. It would not be normal for it to support without the slightest reservation a project that is rejected overwhelmingly outside the Quebec City region.
The approach to the election and the undivided domination currently exercised by the CAQ obviously do not encourage questioning. These few caveats do not even constitute the shadow of a questioning of the leadership of Prime Minister Legault, who still enjoys an authority as unchallenged as, hey, Maurice Duplessis.
It was a real show of affection that he was entitled to in Trois-Rivières, and he was obviously sensitive to it. From René Lévesque to Lucien Bouchard, via Robert Bourassa and Jacques Parizeau, other highly esteemed leaders have had to put water in their wine to appease their activists, sometimes even a lot. It may come one day, but we are still a long way from it.
For the moment, the CAQ has problems of the rich. Even ten months before the election, Mr. Legault did not consider it useful to attack his opponents, except for one or two allusions without great malice to “certain oppositions”. No doubt carried away by enthusiasm, he praised his ” dream team ”, Even adding that there was, within his caucus, enough talent to form a second Council of Ministers.
The harvest predicted by the polls could nevertheless constitute a serious headache the day after the next election. Even by stretching the number of ministers to the limit of decency, there will necessarily be those left behind, who will not accept that their merits are so poorly recognized.
By invoking a certain tradition, which has not always been respected, we can always deplore the lack of elegance of the Prime Minister, who does not intend to give the leader of the PQ, Paul St-Pierre Plamondon (PSPP), the chance to enter the National Assembly on the occasion of the by-election in Marie-Victorin.
The almost desperate situation of PSPP no doubt arouses sympathy, but the federalists, including Mr. Legault now, do not have a monopoly on pettiness. In June 1985, the PQ had tried to block Robert Bourassa, who was de facto the leader of the official opposition, by presenting a candidate for the by-election in Bertrand. The maneuver had failed temporarily, Mr. Bourassa having been beaten in the same constituency six months later, but it was not for lack of trying.
If it is not the nobility of soul, it is perhaps his interest which should keep Mr. Legault from planning the death of the PQ. If the frustration caused by the soft nationalism of the CAQ cannot be expressed in the National Assembly, it will find another outlet, perhaps less desirable.
Moreover, idle deputies, such as those in the party in power who are not ministers, are a source of problems, especially when there are many of them. Some even end up discovering a conscience, shocked by decisions taken without them. There are limits to occupying them in bogus committees that produce reports intended for the tablets.
In the meantime, we can understand the caquistes wanting to take advantage of the present moment. It is good to stock up on fond memories while waiting for the darker days that always eventually come.