"No doubt about it, there is something unsavoury about the way [ADQ Leader Mario] Mr. Dumont has shamelessly exploited Quebeckers' insecurity over the survival of their language and culture for political gain," Konrad Yakabuski writes in his weekend essay Appearances in Quebec are misleading
"Hence, the recent poll scores may be his comeuppance for offending Quebeckers' fairness and generosity. Three by-elections [today] will enable some to show their displeasure at such anti-immigrant pandering.
"Mr. Dumont's biggest albatross, though, is his 41-member caucus, almost all of them political neophytes. One MNA explained to a radio host why neither he nor most of his colleagues ever stood up in Question Period by saying: "It's better to be quiet and look stupid than to speak and prove you are."
Mr. Dumont, who at 38 may be the most talented Canadian politician of his generation, has been dragged down by this team of not-ready-for-prime-time players.
Konrad Yakabuski
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"It would be erroneous, however, to dismiss the ADQ as a flameout. The ideas it brings to the table are increasingly finding favour with a plurality, if not majority, of Quebeckers.
"A strong and growing constituency of voters is seeking new (or old) solutions — not just with respect to cultural survival, but also on the role of the state and on individual responsibility.
"Neither of the established political parties has been either willing or able to successfully process these demands."
Whether you agree or not, it's a provocative thesis. That's why we're glad that Mr. Yakabuski was online earlier today to take your questions on his essay, the ADQ and Quebec nationalism.
Your questions and Mr. Yakabuski's answers appear at the bottom of this page.
Konrad Yakabuski has written on Quebec business, politics and culture for The Globe and Mail since 1996. He previously worked as a political reporter at Le Devoir.
He holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in political science from McGill University and a Master of Science in Business Administration degree from the University of British Columbia.
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Jim Sheppard, Executive Editor, globeandmail.com: Welcome, Konrad, and thanks for joining us today to take questions from the readers of globeandmail.com.
Were you surprised in any way by the results of yesterday's by-elections? Did the ADQ do even worse than expected?
Konrad Yakabuski: Hi, Jim. The answers to that are No and Yes!
It must be remembered that these were by-elections in ridings where the ADQ was particularly disadvantaged. That said, the party fared even worse than it needed to in all three ridings and I would suspect that a lack of organization was responsible for its failure to even get its core vote out.
The turnout in these ridings hovered slightly above 30%. Low turnouts traditionally favour the Liberals since they are disproportionately represented among those 55 years and up. This is the one group that always gets out to vote, even in by-elections.
It helps that the Liberal candidates in these ridings could count on a well-oiled machine that made sure that every potential Liberal voter was reminded their vote was needed and help was offered to get to the poll. It really does make a difference.
The Parti Québécois surprised observers because of the strength of its support, particularly in Hull. It, too, is well-organized.
But the solidity of its vote in the two Montreal ridings and Hull suggests that Pauline Marois, who campaigned in the ridings, is playing well with voters.
There were local issues in the two Montreal ridings — particularly the redevelopment of rue Notre-Dame in east end Montreal into a sort of mini-expressway that mobilized voters for or against the Liberals. The Notre-Dame issue likely also played a big part in the mobilization of the protest vote for Québec Solidaire and The Greens, who are against the redevelopment.
