Liberals warn against CAQ video

Quebec’s English-speaking community should not be fooled by the Coalition Avenir Québec’s sudden interest in their well-being and future, a top Liberal cabinet minister says.

As a political war over anglophone votes moved into its second day after the release of a CAQ video, Native Affairs Minister Geoffrey Kelley — the MNA for the West Island riding of Jacques-Cartier — responded to the CAQ’s new initiative to sell itself as an alternative.

“I would urge English-speaking voters to look at the CAQ record and not just a 45-second video,” Kelley said in an interview Thursday. “When it comes to the commitment to Canada, the CAQ commitment is very, very shallow.

“They are federalists only until the next poll and if next poll isn’t good, they’ll change their minds again.”

On Thursday, the CAQ released a video on social media designed specifically to woo non-francophones, who traditionally vote massively Liberal in general elections.

It plays up the fact the CAQ now sees Quebec’s future inside Canada but with much more autonomy. CAQ insiders describe it as “nationalism lite.”

“From now on, you have a real choice,” CAQ Leader François Legault says in the video. “If you wish for Quebec to flourish within Canada, if you have had enough of being stuck with the Liberal Party that is worn out, if you’re tired of being taken for granted, you now have an option. Join us.”

But reaction to the video was swift, with many negative comments on the Montreal Gazette’s website. The video also made waves with the Liberal government, with Kelley offering an official reaction.

He urged voters to dig a bit deeper. The CAQ, he noted, has a version of the Parti Québécois’ ill-fated charter of values on the books that might not be too popular because it calls for clothing restrictions in the civil service just like the PQ’s did.

“It’s something the Englishspeaking community didn’t want to hear about in 2014 and has no more stomach for today,” Kelley said.

The CAQ is also committed to “smaller state” and abolishing school boards, he said, adding school boards are an essential institution to the community.

But earlier at a new conference where the CAQ gave its support to the nurses’ union fight against cuts at the MUHC, CAQ MNA Nathalie Roy said her party fully expected the Liberals to lash out.

“The Liberal Party is trying demonize us,” Roy said.