THE DEVIL YOU KNOW
Don’t change, Liberals say
Money to help four-year-olds get daycare, a pitch to Quebec’s anglophones and an attack on François Legault, who Liberals say would probably fail a Canadian version of his own values test.
Quebec’s Liberals this weekend stepped up efforts to square the circle with voters in the continuing battle to incarnate the change Quebecers say they want so badly.
But with the economy moving into uncertain waters, the Liberals trotted out an old weapon in their political arsenal, one used successfully in 2008 election by Jean Charest.
In troubled times, it’s best to elect politicians who “have both hands on the wheel,” members of the party heard.
“Yes, it’s a theme,” Couillard said at a news conference wrapping up a one-day party council meeting Saturday, the last before the October election.
“Things are going well, no? We have to continue to make sure things go well. It’s not time to change the pilot in the plane.”
The Liberal’s new campaign chairman, businessman Alexandre Taillefer, also used a cockpit metaphor, though he didn’t mean to. “It’s not the time to change the surgeon in mid-flight,” he said in a speech, before correcting himself later saying he meant a surgeon in the middle of an operation.
“Where is the newness in the plans proposed by people repeating recipes pitched way back in 1998?” Couillard said in his own speech closing the council of 800 Liberals.
“You know, certain people are proposing change. We, the Liberals, know how to change things, we are change.”
Couillard’s troops seemed upbeat in the face of their difficulties, confident they will catch the poll-leading CAQ by the end of a campaign.
“I think (former Liberal leader) Robert Bourassa’s expression is pertinent,” former Bourassa adviser Ron Poupart told a few reporters. “Timing is timing is timing.
“The CAQ is trying to cement its vote. When you look at the polls, you realize it is not cemented. So, it’s the election (campaign) that will matter.”
STAR SOMMELIER
The party announced another star candidate, internationally recognized sommelier Jessica Harnois, who has worked in such star restaurants as Toqué and is the brains behind the Bù wine business.
“I am a businesswoman, a mother and a Liberal,” Harnois said in a bilingual speech to the crowd.
Party officials said Harnois’s riding will be announced later.
‘SURPRISING’ IDEAS
Much of the day was spent with ministers explaining past decisions, as well as offering a taste of what’s to come in the actual election platform.
“The ideas we will present in the election campaign will be surprising,” Taillefer told reporters. “People will think they (the ideas) come from the CAQ, come from the PQ (Parti Québécois).
“Be careful, they are Liberal ideas, ideas which will have been created here, things that none of the other parties have thought of.”
The party unveiled two new ideas: $25 million to help immigrants integrate into the regions at the same time as learning French and $250 million so four-year-olds can have free daycare.
APPEAL TO ANGLOS
Couillard again made a pitch for votes from the English-speaking community in his speech.
“Our message to young Englishspeaking Quebecers is clear: your roots are here and we need your talent,” Couillard said. “This is your home and we want you to build your careers and your families here with us.”
Couillard was asked, however, what more Legault can do to prove himself a proud Canadian following his pitch last Sunday to anglophones in which he urged them to free themselves from the Liberals.
“You have to be able to say you love this country,” Couillard told reporters. “That goes beyond fiscal arguments.
“It’s up to Mr. Legault to demonstrate it. I think a lot of people have doubts.”
Asked if he thinks Legault would pass a Canadian values test, Couillard said yes.
Earlier, Couillard showed his feelings on the issue, going places Legault refuses to when asked about the issue.
“I have travelled around the world,” Couillard said in his speech. “I don’t know a better place to live than our Quebec. I don’t know a better citizenship than our Canadian citizenship.
“I am so proud of both. I love both. Being a proud Quebec is my way of being a proud Canadian.”