Legault backs O’toole, demands won’t be far off
WHY THIS, WHY NOW, AND WHAT DIFFERENCE COULD IT MAKE? — KHEIRIDDIN
‘Dangerous.” It’s a word not often bandied about in political discourse, unless something really serious is at stake: fundamental freedoms, human rights, or life and death situations. Yet it was the word that Quebec Premier François Legault reached for when weighing in on the current federal election — and he used it to describe three of the parties in the race.
“I find it very concerning that three parties, the Liberals, the NDP and the Greens, are not only not open to giving more autonomy to Quebec but want to centralize and appropriate powers that are clearly provincial jurisdictions,” said Legault on Thursday. “I am nationalist, I want Quebec to be more autonomous and have more power. There are three parties that want to give us less autonomy. And I find that dangerous.”
That left just two acceptable contenders on the field: the Conservatives and the Bloc Québécois. In previous sorties, Legault had implied that both parties represented an acceptable choice for Quebec, notably when he lashed out at the NDP and Liberals over their healthcare policies, which would only lead to “more centralization, more bureaucracy.”
But this time, Legault went further and practically endorsed the Tories. “The Conservative party has been clear: they want to increase health transfers with no conditions, they want to transfer immigration powers, and Mr. O’toole has committed to not funding opposition to Bill 21,” Legault stated. “For the Quebec nation, Mr. O’toole’s approach is a good one.”
Why this, why now, and what difference could it make to the race?
“This” is Legault’s way of affirming his position as the most popular premier in the country — and one of the most popular in Quebec in recent memory, polling at nearly 50 per cent. Legault seems to relish his role as federal kingmaker, particularly if it lets him then take credit for shaping a government that is favourable to Quebec. Until the election started, Legault was all smiles with Justin Trudeau, particularly when the latter cut him a $6-billion cheque for 27,000 additional daycare spaces. But just as the Lord giveth, he taketh away — and that’s what Legault did with his announcement.
The “now” can be explained by the tepid performance delivered by Conservative Leader Erin O’toole in Wednesday night’s French consortium debate. Gone was the confident, easygoing O’toole of the TVA debate last week; instead, viewers were treated to a stiff, low-energy performance that left the floor to his four rivals. Of those, Liberal Leader Justin Trudeau took up the most space, punching left and right as he attempted to revive flagging poll numbers and shore up his Quebec credentials. Trudeau provided some of the few fireworks of the evening when he shouted at Bloc Leader Yves-françois Blanchet, “I am a proud Quebecer. I’ve always been a proud Quebecer … You don’t have unanimity on Quebec.”
Quebec commentators were not impressed with O’toole, including columnist Chantal Hébert, who quipped that “On his last big opportunity to establish a stronger connection with Quebec voters and to impress them, (O’toole) missed the mark.” So in rode Legault to the rescue. If his endorsement turns the tide for O’toole, it could put the Tories over the top — and put the new government firmly in Legault’s debt.
But will it make the difference? The latest Leger poll shows that 68 per cent of voters have already made up their mind about this election. And while Quebec voters like a winner, they may pay more attention to what pundits in the Rest of Canada say after Thursday’s English-language debate than to what Legault said after Wednesday’s exchange. Should the Tories’ polling numbers keep growing in Ontario, that could be a greater incentive to pick O’toole than any political endorsement.
Nonetheless, Legault’s praise will likely put some wind in the Tory leader’s sails going into the last days of the campaign. And put all parties on notice that whichever one crosses the finish line first, Quebec will be waiting to greet them with its list of demands.