Quebec — Page 6

My attention turned

November 9, 2000 by Michael Boyle

to our own Federal general election tonight, as I watched the English language debate between the leaders of the 5 major parties. I was quite disappointed in the whole thing, although frankly I didn’t expect much.

Dan Rather, following all the US debates, was loathe to call them debates at all, suggesting that rather than debate it was really an opportunity for the two leaders to talk about their platform only – the other guy just happened to be in the room. Our debate here was the opposite – it was all acrimonious bickering and no annunciation of coherent platforms. None at all.

Alexa McDonough, leader of the ever-smaller federal NDP, came off the best by far, in my opinion. My own MP, Gilles Duceppe of the Bloc Quebecois, was actually pretty good – except the idea that overwhelms everything else he stands for is diametrically opposed to my view of things. Joe Clark, the once and current leader of the Progressive Conservative party was OK, but it’s clear that although he’s a decent guy, his time has passed.

Which leaves Jean Chretien and Stockwell Day. Chretien, the leader of the Liberal party (and current PM, if you’re not from around here) was basically in an impossible situation. He didn’t meet it very well. Day came off like a motivational speaker – a lying, duplicitous motivational speaker. He and his Canadian Alliance cronies are probably the scariest thing to happen to Canadian politics in years. Which is enough said about him.

One of my favourite things

November 7, 2000 by Michael Boyle

in the world is to watch election results. I’m an election geek. I caught the bug early, and I’m sure it was enhanced living in Quebec and participating in referendums and elections about the very future of my adoptive home in Canada. Anyhow, the tracking polls were too close to call as recently as last night, which will make for extra fun viewing tonight. I know I’ll have to hold myself in control to keep from throwing things at my teevee – that’s part of the appeal.

And to my cousins down there in the US… VOTE!

I’m not sure if

September 21, 2000 by Michael Boyle

it’s a good thing or a bad thing that Paragraph Books has been sold to Quebecor. Paragraphe is the best English bookstore in Montreal (at least the best store selling new books), and until yesterday it was an independent bookstore. They practically invented the idea of having a cafe in the store at their old location on Mansfield – when I was at McGill I used to hang out there for hours at a time.

The issues Tom raises have been

July 11, 2000 by Michael Boyle

The issues Tom raises have been on the front burner in Quebec for a while now. Essentially, the battle over “gay marriage” is over now in Quebec – it’s fine. There are still some minor battles that are ongoing, but as a principle upheld by the Supreme Court of Canada and as a principle of legislation by the Quebec gov’t, it’s moving towards an inclusive position very quickly. I agree with him, though, that there are other questions, other issues, beyond just “can gays be just like straights?”

Being straight myself (but not narrow), my personal opinion has turned to suggest the removal of any official state sanction of any marriage for anyone. If you want to get married and are religious, or would just like a ceremony – go for it.

But as far as the state is concerned – any couple should be able to sign an affadavit and gain the tax benefits of marriage (where they exist). Roommates, lovers, friends, a older father and his single son taking care of him, whoever. Likewise for other issues – like inheritance, power of attorney, etc. These should be open to any of the myriad of arrangements that people dream up.

Goodness knows hardly anyone in Quebec gets married anymore – it’s mostly common law.

Ah, long weekends!

June 23, 2000 by Michael Boyle

Tomorrow is St. Jean Baptiste day, named after the patron saint of Quebec. This means different things to different people. For some, it’s the Fte Nationale, the National Holiday, with all the attendant celebration. For others, it’s just “that long weekend in June I always forget about”. For still others it’s the Stardust picnic, hosted for the past few years by Blue Rodeo. For me – there’s a patio furniture clearance sale at Wal-Mart, and several used/antique furniture stores to visit, plus I might call up my Official Plant Consultant to help me foliate my new apartment.