The Bizarro World of Québec Politics

Can a one-man party get enough votes to bring down Jean Charest?

The National Post’s Tasha Kheiriddin describes the sea of troubles threatening to engulf Québec Premier Jean Charest. An online petition is calling for his resignation, calls continue for an inquiry into corruption in the construction industry, and a new poll shows his party trails the Parti Québécois 37 to 34 per cent. Kheiriddin declares his problems insurmountable and says “Charest would leave a stronger legacy by paving the way for a successful heir, than by staying in power and taking the ship down with him. The question is, will he do it in time.” Kheiriddin’s correct in saying Charest in hot water of course, but about that poll that has him trailing the PQ by 3 per cent? In August he was trailing by 10 per cent, so he’s gaining ground despite his troubles, and few politicians will bow out when momentum is in their favour.

He may not be the voters’ favourite, but as the Montreal Gazette’s Don MacPherson notes, his party is staying loyal. This weekend at a meeting of 500 party members, a motion calling for a construction inquiry couldn’t even get seconded. Given the fact that Québeckers overwhelmingly want an inquiry, some observers are saying that the Liberals are out of touch with voters. Not so, says MacPherson. “Out of sync, surely, but not out of touch … (Liberals are) aware that Charest has been resisting the pressure, calculating that over time, this will prove less damaging than the disclosures of an independent inquiry over which he has no control.” Politically this is wise, says MacPherson, despite the questionable ethicality of ignoring constituents' wishes.

Macleans.ca blogger Martin Patriquin has the scoop on Amir Khadir, the man behind the online petition demanding Charest's resignation. Khadir is the sole elected member of the Québec solidaire party, and has collected an impressive 47,000 signatures in the past 24 hours. Although he only holds one vote in the legislature, maybe those online votes will be enough to do what his party could never accomplish in government and the Liberal party seems unwilling to do: finally oust Charest.