According to Chantal Hebert, the Tories risk losing all their Quebec seats if they renege on this proposal to assist in the construction of a new arena in Quebec City; and according to Jane Taber, they risk a caucus revolt if they proceed with the initiative. Even though nothing has officially been done on this matter, the Conservatives are now allegedly damned if they do, damned if they don't. I think the best way to resolve this dispute is to put it to a free vote in Parliament whether or not stimulus money should go to the construction of new arenas, be it in Quebec or Saskatchewan. Make sure to word it so that it is not a confidence motion, and allow all MPs to vote their conscious on the issue. If it is defeated by a free vote by all parties, then you can't blame the Prime Minister for reneging support. If Maxime Bernier wants to vote against it, he can vote against it. I know that Denis Coderre supports it, and he's probably not the only Liberal who does. Make the Liberals say yes or no, don't just let them sit back and watch Conservatives argue amongst themselves.
It should be noted that Chantal Hebert is not always right about the pulse of the Quebecois. You might recall prior to the last election she predicted that the Tories would lose all their Quebec seats over arts funding-gate. Last time I checked, the Tories still have Quebec MPs. I for one would like to see the Quebec caucus expand, not retract.
Chantal Hebert is a she?????????? lol
ReplyDeleteHas Bernier appointed his caucas yet ?
ReplyDeleteIt is a great idea but it should be done in a caucus meeting with a show of hands. If the majority of MPs don't want than I will have to brought up as a private members bill from one of the Quebec MPs in any party with the support of the Conservatives unless they are from Quebec.
ReplyDeleteI am curious which MP's will champion it and how the debate will be framed.
I do not care what Quebec wants. I do not care if the Iceman wants the arena. I do not care what the West wants. I do not care what Ontario wants. I do not support excessive E.I. in Atlantic Canada. I do care if some people wish to put us into bankruptcy with the cumulative promises that are being made to spend more and more money.
ReplyDeleteIt seems that in modern democracy the buck doesn't stop anywhere. I support Maxime Berniers statements on fiscal responsibility over the past few months.
What kind of Conservatives are you numbskulls. We can accomodate our basic freedoms but the buck must stop SOMEWHERE.
Chantal Hebert, Jane Taber, Andrew C. and the rest of the media "pundants" have about as much insight and knowledge about the our political system as anyone reading this blog. Their opinions are practically worthless. All the power to them for making a living spewing yesterdays recycled garbage for a living.
ReplyDeleteHoarfrost.. I also support Berniers statements I No Not support a party leader from quebec. I do not recall a quebec based PM who has not at one time or another screwed the west.
ReplyDeleteRob C
The is the perfect opportunity for the Quebec Tea Party to start a campaign on.
ReplyDeleteWhere is Charest finding that much money when just in June he imposed a healthcare user fees on Quebecers?
Take your pick Quebecers, your Premier can take those user fees to shorten the time it will take to get that hip replacement
or an arena with no committment just the 'hope' of a team from the NHL.
Oh, and can that hip replacement wait 40 years? because that's how long the taxpayer committment is to the arena, as per Charest's proposal.
Funny, Charest is screwing the Conservatives again to save his bacon. He is the one DEMANDING that the federal government pay 45% of the costs of the arena. Guess what he is going to say when the feds say no. He is going to hammer the Conservatives for not loving Quebec. The guy is a snake. The Bloqheads will join him and so will all the Liberals/NDP.
ReplyDeleteIt's a no win situation for the government. The best they can do is say "no" to the pork bellying lefties.
Charest is a snake, and trying to change the channel.....ha
ReplyDeleteQuebec Bar Association to investigate Charest
'...the Quebec Bar Association will investigate three of its members, including Premier Jean Charest, QMI Agency has learned.'
http://cnews.canoe.ca/CNEWS/Politics/2010/09/10/15314221.html
I can't see people voting out a government for choosing not to fund the construction of a hockey arena, although if it could happen somewhere, that would be in Canada, and specifically in Quebec.
ReplyDeleteNo rationalization, excuse, or justification will do. Funding this arena is a profound betrayal of trust and principle. We should not be having this discussion. This is a disgrace.
ReplyDeleteWell Mikhael, why don't you tell me in economic terms why this is not viable. If you do not support a sports arena, tell me why. Do you also have a Mathematical Economics degree and years of experience working at a pro arena?
ReplyDeleteMikhael is right, Iceman is wrong, and it has zero to do with viability. The gov't has no business even considering spending taxpayers dollars on non-essential bread and circuses crap like arenas.
ReplyDeleteBy the way, if it needs taxpayer dollars, it ain't viable.
Well said Mikhael, and so far, every time Bernier speaks up, I'm impressed with what I hear.
If building an arena was such a"viable" project, private interests would be lining up to do it.
ReplyDeleteThis is a political mess created by mischief-makers in Quebec and the media, and the PM should stand up and say there is no money to do this at the present time. Given the deficit, the gneral weakness still in the economy, I doubt anyone would argue over much.