I find it interesting that it was Quebeckers who ultimately reminded us of who we are as a country. It was Quebeckers who looked past all the fear mongering and the party flag waving and discerned that it was social, environmental and democratic principles that mattered most and they concluded that they were going to make their electoral choice based on those values. It seems they had judged that the incumbent leadership did not reflect them as a people nor were the values, as practiced, good for Quebec. They were ready for change. Not surprisingly the rest of the country seems to have arrived at a similar conclusion because the kinder, gentler, greener Orange Wave was washing from sea to sea to sea. The shared ideals were there, we were all just awaiting the arrival of a suitable champion. The ranks were thin from which to chose, but chose we must because the status quo was unacceptable.
So Quebec chose first and, in doing so, reminded us that in this shared cold land, it's all about the values, stupid.
It's anyone's guess what will happen next. The mathematical realities of splits and turnouts and failed strategic voting may yet produce a Conservative majority, but no one can deny that there has been a sea change here. We were being pared away as a people and our collective, structural bones began to show …and they showed first in Quebec where they are strongest -where they matter most. Who knows, with the influence of the Bloc somewhat muted, perhaps this new post-election reality might afford us the opportunity discover that we might be a coherent collective after all - maybe even a unique kind of country - just not the one Steven Harper imagined.
Merci Quebec!
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