Who does he think he is?
• Read also: Housing: Poilievre calls mayors Marchand and Plante “incompetent”
This is the first reaction that many Quebecers must have felt when Pierre Poilievre decided to wipe his feet on the mayors of the two largest cities in Quebec, by calling them “incompetent” on Twitter.
Humble hypothesis: I doubt that an inquisitor coming from Ottawa to insult democratically elected politicians would be an electorally profitable strategy for a majority of voters.
Visiting Quebec
Is there an advisor who knows Quebec in Pierre Poilievre’s entourage?
I ask the question as much for the form as for the substance.
The form, first: this way of practicing politics remains largely unpopular in Quebec. We still resist the trivialization of the insult.
THE bullys are never well loved. Look at the barometer of political figures from last December, including PSPP, Manon Massé and Christian Dubé.
Not exactly goons of 4e trio.
In Canada, the dam of civility has burst.
The tone is more acrimonious. Polarization increases. The insult is considered proof of freedom of speech.
It is the cultural proximity with the United States that plays its role, as does the political proximity between the Conservative Party and the Republican Party.
The contagion means that 50% of Canadian conservatives would support Trump rather than Biden, according to a poll released this week.
I open a parenthesis: what do Quebec Conservative MPs think of these insults? They approve?
Worst of the worst, some conservatives looked for and found this line of defense: it is not against the elected officials of Quebec, our leader also treated the mayors of other cities as incompetent! Ah, now it’s better!
The bottom now. Pierre Poilievre proposes linking the construction of housing to federal money allocated to cities.
However, this does not apply to Quebec.
Federal money goes through the Quebec government for housing. It is Quebec that manages the planning, not Ottawa.
When the Conservative leader sets conditions – just as the Liberals would do in health – he threatens to reduce the money sent to Quebec – our money, not his money – and interferes in what primarily concerns the government of Quebec.
Moreover, it would have been interesting if the Legault government reacted to Poilievre’s comments and defended Quebec prerogatives. Niet! remained on the sidelines.
Battle for Quebec
The next federal election in Quebec promises to be a clash between the Bloc Québécois and the Conservative Party, outside of Montreal and Laval.
What does Poilievre have to offer Quebec beyond the rehashed slogans?
Stephen Harper formalized the recognition of the Quebec nation. Courageous gesture.
Andrew Scheer proposed more autonomy for Quebec in immigration, a single tax return managed by Quebec and not to intervene before the federal courts on Bill 21.
Erin O’Toole promised more powers in culture and immigration, as well as the application of Bill 101 to federally chartered businesses.
Pierre Poilievre made none of these commitments. If he only has insults to offer, I’m not sure he will do better than his predecessors.