The prime minister was asked if he’ll pursue a governing pact with the NDP. “No,” he said.
And why not, the reporter asked.
“Why?” Carney retorted.
The PM said the Liberals campaigned on a clear set of objectives, and while they didn’t quite get a majority, “we will be putting forth legislation that’s consistent with our platform.”
It’s not needed. The only alliance that could topple them is BQ+PC and the Bloc has already committed to giving the Liberals minimum 1 year to enact their agenda.
No need to align right out of the gate and give the NDP bargaining power, they’ll do it when they have to.
Frankly, I’d be more inclined to give the NDP bargaining power than BQ. At least it’s likely to benefit all Canadian, not just Quebec.
Carney could literally ignore the NDP for the next 4 years and I doubt it would make any difference. I say this as an NDP voter.
BQ has over 3 times the seats, it makes way more sense to try to work with them because you only need to convince 4/22 of them instead of 4/7 (and the things that BQ asks for in return may be a lot more politically achievable than whatever the NDP asks for, because they like to go big).
Carney may also want to cosy up to Quebec voters who were not entirely impressed with his French and don’t trust him. Having a good relationship with BQ may go a long way for these people.
I don’t love it, but the NDP don’t have leverage here.
I don’t see how bloc would accept without forcing liberals to stop intervening about bill 21 and 96. Liberals may lose muslims and quebec anglophone supports
Considering that Muslims and anglos are minorities in Quebec, I doubt the Liberals or BQ care about that as long as they can get their flagship bills voted through. Like I get where you’re coming from, I just don’t think they give a shit.
420k muslims in Quebec is not a number that should be ignored. Also muslims in other province would still take a bill like 21 seriously even if it doesn’t affect them.
I agree that ignoring 4.6% of the provincial population is misguided. I’m certainly not advocating for it, but that’s the reality.
In the context of Bill 21, what does it mean to take a bill seriously when it doesn’t affect you? As far as I’m concerned, the Liberals would never implement something like that nationwide even if they were forced to more significantly rely on BQ for support.
We don’t have to be affected to oppose bills that restrict liberties. As a muslim and francophone i want jews and christian to be free to wear their signs and protect anglophone minorities in montreal.
Most muslims including those who don’t practice believe that wearing the hijab is a religious obligation but it’s not enforcable by people. Just like muslims who don’t do praying obligation aren’t forced to pray.
Liberals are contesting the bills and i feel like bloc will try to force them to stop in exchange for an alliance