As a Tory, I have to admit that I’m reveling in the woes of the Liberals, and elated at the Bloc getting a bloody nose. As a Canadian, and a voter, I’m tragically concerned with the serious imbalance within our political system today, and all Canadians should take note that a weak and indecisive Liberal party is a very bad thing for the democratic process.

That said, (I love that queue) for the first time in 25 years, I feel elation at the prospect of the erosion of the hold the Bloc has over Quebec. For the first time in such a long time, Quebecers are finally looking like they intend to get into the game federally, with more than just the token protest vote.

It’s about bloody time too. The Bloc has always been a “park vote here, no alternative” solution to most Quebecers, but it’s been done in the full awareness that the Bloc agenda has ever been set on the track of “how much can we screw the rest of the nation for”. As an Albertan, I’m painfully aware that Central Canadian politicians can be screwed for a fair bit by a blackmailing Quebec.
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Jean Charest is upset with the Supreme Court's ruling on Bill 104

Bilingualism in Canada is undeniably one of the most prevalent aspects of our international identity. All of our federal documents are printed in both English and French, despite the fact that only one of our provinces is officially bilingual (and no, it’s not Quebec – only New Brunswick is officially bilingual, meaning the provincial government prints documentation in both languages). Despite all this, language laws have often been a topic of contention within the country and particularly within Quebec. Almost one hundred years after the first language law passed in Quebec, we still find ourselves unable to reach middle ground when it comes to our languages – particularly in the education system. Up until recently, there was a loophole in the Quebecois language laws which allowed parents to send their children to English public school if they had previously attended an English private school. The majority of children in Quebec, however, are required to attend French public school. In 2002, Jean Charest’s government closed the loophole (Bill 104) thus preventing a much larger percentage of students from attending English public school in Quebec. Without the loophole, only students who passed a lengthy assessment of circumstance were granted permission. Yesterday, a disgruntled group of parents who opposed Bill 104 and had taken their displeasure up with the supreme court won a “partial victory” when the supreme court ruled Bill 104 as “unconstitutional and excessive”. Naturally, the Quebecois government is upset, claiming that by allowing a larger minority of children to enroll in the limited English school system in Quebec, the French language is not being preserved.
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On October 22 2009, the Supreme Court of Canada judged Quebec’s Bill 104 to be unconstitutional.  The controversial bill was enacted in 2002 by the Quebec ruling party of the day, the Parti Quebecois, and has since been subject of a slew of courts cases, the issue eventually reaching Quebec’s Court of Appeal in 2007, where it ruled against the bill.  Two years later, Justice Louis LeBel of the Supreme Court of Canada has taken a similar stance, calling the bill, “excessive” and giving Quebec a 1 year grace period to address and rectify the situation.

In the province already currently possessing the most restrictive language policies in the country, Bill 104 eliminated the last hope for Anglophones in Quebec to obtain English language education without being subjected to a long and trying process for determining ‘eligibility’ for this right. As a result, a group of 25 families took part in this case to argue for their children’s right to an education in the English language.  As such, the ruling in this case is only a partial victory.  Quebec’s debatable language laws still stand minus Bill 104. Anglophone Canadians and others who express an interest in English instruction are now back to the unenviable and astonishing position of attempting to enrol in English language schools through legal loopholes.  It also leaves the 25 families, and many others, besides in a minimum of a yearlong limbo awaiting the new legislation to take its place.
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I’m confused.

After years of experiencing the slow, muddling governments of Ontario and the swashbuckling antics of British Columbia politicians, I’m baffled by the laissez-faire provincial ministrations in Quebec. Mind you, I’ve only lived here since 2001. I’m part of the first wave of a growing English migration moving into the province – for futures sake.

Let me say straight off, as a writer, that moving to Montreal has been one of the better decisions of my life. This is a truly wonderful, welcoming and creative city – with a brightening future. This despite being about two generations behind the rest of Canada in some ways – thanks to previous political upheavals.

As a new arrival in sexy Montreal, you are handed a medical card, drug card, a cheap rent apartment and access to numerous free access socialized services like swimming pools, skating rinks and libraries. And you don’t even have to speak French all that much any more. Certainly less than 2001. Though it sure helps if you want a real job.
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Who are you going to vote for? Here is a list of the major political parties and some information to help you make your voting decision. Happy voting!

Jean Charest, the current leader of the Liberal Party, is hoping to achieve another victory in Quebec. Last election, he barely held onto his Sherbrooke seat as he has been dubbed the “most disliked leader in Quebec’s history.” Charest has been focusing on the economy and how his party will be able to tackle the world financial crisis. The other major issue is the fact that there are many new immigrants who do not know French and the French language is losing its place in the province. Charest welcomes the new immigrants and diverse languages and will not reopen the language debates.

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