Gilles Duceppe’s decision to run for the leadership of the Parti Quebecois was no surprise. Many see the Bloc as the farm team for the PQ, and Gilles seemed well placed to take over the party.
His subsequent decision 24 hours later to forgo the PQ leadership and stay on in Ottawa did come as a shock. It’s a decision that will have implications for the country as a whole.
On the Quebec provincial front, Pauline Marois is free to take the reins of the PQ party without a divisive leadership campaign, thus making her party stronger much faster and much more able to fight the next election campaign. Quebecers have just had a provincial election relegating the PQ to third place (the main reason for a new leader) but also returned a minority government, so a new election could happen at any time. Certainly it won’t wait four years.
On the federal front, Gilles Duceppe gave the Stephen Harper a 24 hour reprieve from the threat of an election. As much as it pains me, I have to admit that the Bloc would have been reluctant to do anything to provoke an election until they had a new leader and time for them to establish themselves. That would have meant an election next spring at best.
But now, Mr Duceppe has re-raised the flags and an election call could happen at any time that the three opposition parties are ready and feel they have cause that the electorate will accept.
In short, we could still see an election this summer, and will likely have one within 2007.
So we must prepare. My campaign needs your support. Please visit the Newmarket-Aurora Greens and lend us your support.
