Michael Ignatieff has found a new hero in former separatist leader Lucien Bouchard.
Mr. Bouchard, the ex-Parti Québécois premier and the very first leader of the Bloc Québécois, is stirring up debate after his declaration that the dream of separatism is no longer achievable.
Like manna from heaven for the Liberal Leader, Mr. Ignatieff has seized on Mr. Bouchard’s remarks to lay out the Liberal vision for Quebec in Canada, where Quebeckers participate in every aspect of the country’s culture and decision-making.
“Mr. Bouchard had the courage to say what many have been thinking deep down,” Mr. Ignatieff wrote in a letter distributed by his office this afternoon. “Instead of passively waiting for a so-called ‘historic night’ [a yes vote in a referendum], it is crucial that Quebeckers actively participate in the changes happening within Canada.”
Mr. Bouchard was speaking this week as part of a panel debating the state of Quebec politics. He said in the short term, sovereignty was not part of the province’s political agenda and he urged Quebeckers to embrace common sense.
Quebec has 75 seats in the House of Commons. It is a huge battleground in federal elections. A new EKOS Research poll, released today, shows the Conservatives not faring well with just 15.5 per cent support in Quebec, compared to 24.9 per cent for the Liberals. The Bloc Québécois has a significant lead with 35.9 per cent support.
Mr. Ignatieff writes that Mr. Bouchard, who is not known for “mincing his words,” has made comments that “are far more important for advancing the debate on the nature of our country and the role Quebec should play in it.”
Indeed, the debate provoked by Mr. Bouchard’s comments, Mr. Ignatieff argues, will resonate more than the debate over the lack of French at the Vancouver Winter Olympic Games opening ceremony.
“His statements will surely prompt further discussion on whether sovereignty is attainable or not,” Mr. Ignatieff writes.
In the meantime, however, the Liberal Leader says that the “new dream Quebeckers should be part of is a dream shared with their fellow citizens in other parts of Canada.”
(File photo: Graham Hughes/The Canadian Press)
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Update The full text of Mr. Ignatieff's letter follows:
Sharing our dreams...and our actions!
While plenty of media attention was given to the poor place of French in the opening ceremonies at the Vancouver Olympics – and not without reason – Lucien Bouchard’s remarks last Tuesday will likely fuel public debate, both in Quebec and across Canada.
With respect to the opening ceremonies, it is important to note that the limited amount of French was noticed from coast to coast. The issue doesn’t come down to criticizing the Olympic organizing committee, but rather ensuring that this error is rectified. After all, an impressive number of our athletes are bilingual – we were all very impressed by the confidence Jennifer Heil and Maëlle Ricker showed while speaking in French, although both are from the West. It now falls to the organizing committee to catch up to Canada’s reality. If the improvements we’ve already seen in the competition venues are any indication, the closing ceremonies will show that the message has been heard.
I believe however that Mr. Bouchard, who isn’t known for mincing his words, made comments this week that are far more important for advancing the debate on the nature of our country and the role Quebec should play in it. Mr. Bouchard has invited Quebecers to embrace a new dream. A dream that does not involve sovereignty, because according to him, that dream is not attainable. His statements will surely prompt further discussion on whether sovereignty is attainable or not. His observation that PQ has chosen to play identity politics within Quebec will also generate debate. But that is not the point of my comments today.
