[lenaitch]

Again, you are assuming that the electorate cares enough to impact their vote as to whether a fairly useless, decrepit train which is very expensive and very slow stops 3 times a week in their community and *maybe* supports 1 or 2 jobs.

The reality is that the Canadian is pretty easy pork for Poilievre when it comes to "wasteful" government spending, especially if you ignore the national identity type role the train kind of serves, but even that is a bit of a stretch.

PP whacking away at Corridor services? yes, that will be disputed and will impact voting intentions. I just don't think enough people really fundamentally care about the long distance services outside of a few niche circles.

I don't know if it is enough to move a needle but you might be downplaying the train's economic impact, in terms of the the maintenance centres, contract provisioners and, of course, tourists with fairly deep pockets. Also, if the government chose to discontinue Canadian, it would strand the remote communities it serves as well as the Prince George route (at least Churchill service starts in a city). I doubt they would want to be seen as abandoning those communities, particularly if it doesn't do the same to the northern Quebec routes.

 

[Bordercollie]

I don't know if it is enough to move a needle but you might be downplaying the train's economic impact, in terms of the the maintenance centres, contract provisioners and, of course, tourists with fairly deep pockets. Also, if the government chose to discontinue Canadian, it would strand the remote communities it serves as well as the Prince George route (at least Churchill service starts in a city). I doubt they would want to be seen as abandoning those communities, particularly if it doesn't do the same to the northern Quebec routes.

So either keep the status quo or get rid of it all together. Those are his two options.

Now the rabbit in the hat would be PP doesn't get his security clearance, can't become prime minister and the liberals choose a decent candidate for PP to only win a minority government. Since the other parties hate him they would hold the balance of power, rendering him useless.

And it only takes 5% here and there for that to happen.

 

[lenaitch]

Wrong thread guys.

 

[PinkLucy]

Take the politics to the appropriate threads please

 

[C_Johnson_1995]

Quebec is 'halfway' to sovereignty, says Bloc leader - iPolitics

If you believe certain polls, at this time next year, the Leader of His Majesty's Loyal Opposition could be Bloc Québécois Leader Yves-François Blanchet, who caught up with iPolitics for a year-end interview.

www.ipolitics.ca

At the risk of going off topic, when you have the upcoming leader of the opposition saying this, I think the case for dissolving VIA and turning it over to the provinces has never been more clear. At the very least, HFR should be broken into sections to be completed and funded in full by the respective provinces in which they reside.

 

[Bordercollie]

Quebec is 'halfway' to sovereignty, says Bloc leader - iPolitics

If you believe certain polls, at this time next year, the Leader of His Majesty's Loyal Opposition could be Bloc Québécois Leader Yves-François Blanchet, who caught up with iPolitics for a year-end interview.

www.ipolitics.ca

At the risk of going off topic, when you have the upcoming leader of the opposition saying this, I think the case for dissolving VIA and turning it over to the provinces has never been more clear. At the very least, HFR should be broken into sections to be completed and funded in full by the respective provinces in which they reside.

You have to understand something, if Quebec gets out they will opt out of equalization payments. And free trade between provinces will be over making their economy an Island. It would be financial suicide.

And the new generation have no interest in becoming their own country.

They would need to hold a referendum, and I don't think 51% in favour is gonna cut it.

 

[micheal_can]

Quebec is 'halfway' to sovereignty, says Bloc leader - iPolitics

If you believe certain polls, at this time next year, the Leader of His Majesty's Loyal Opposition could be Bloc Québécois Leader Yves-François Blanchet, who caught up with iPolitics for a year-end interview.

www.ipolitics.ca

At the risk of going off topic, when you have the upcoming leader of the opposition saying this, I think the case for dissolving VIA and turning it over to the provinces has never been more clear. At the very least, HFR should be broken into sections to be completed and funded in full by the respective provinces in which they reside.

The question is whether the province has the money available to build it?
Quebec does not.
Ontario also does not.

What will happen politically in the next 5 years is not very clear. Some may want to say it is, but I mean more than who will be the next PM. That may be a given, but, as you point out, what happens in Quebec and does it cause a sovereignty crisis? If that happens, HxR is the least of Canada's worries. Whether Via survives that would actually be more possible. If we see how Amtrak comes to Canada, we can imagine Via still going to the new country of Quebec. How it is funded and all the other challenges would be no different than adding a new Amtrak route into Canada, such as the discussions we had about the potential Chicago - Toronto route.

 

[nfitz]

You have to understand something, if Quebec gets out they will opt out of equalization payments. And free trade between provinces will be over making their economy an Island. It would be financial suicide.

And the new generation have no interest in becoming their own country.

Given what happened in the UK, economic suicide for a gain in control and independence is quite possible.

I don't think it wouldn't take much weirdness and prejudice from a new government to push separatism over the top; especially if there's talk of union with the USA. I think you may miscalculate the situation there.

They would need to hold a referendum, and I don't think 51% in favour is gonna cut it.

I think Quebec will most certainly secede if they get a 51% in favour on a clear question on secession. Perhaps it would lead to a rebuilt looser confederation rather than independence, but I think things would permanently and significantly change.

Perhaps we should build Ottawa to London first.

 

[Urban Sky]

I really don’t understand where you dream up a widespread pro-independence sentiment here in Quebec. I happened to get introduced by a friend to the BQ candidate (while the latter was passing by at the restaurant table outside on Wellington Street) who was campaigning for the recent by-election he ended up winning here in Verdun and he was specifically targeting the anglophone community - rather successfully from what I’ve seen…

 

[micheal_can]

I really don’t understand where you dream up a widespread pro-independence sentiment here in Quebec. I happened to get introduced by a friend to the BQ candidate (while the latter was passing by at the restaurant table outside on Wellington Street) who was campaigning for the recent by-election he ended up winning here in Verdun and he was specifically targeting the anglophone community - rather successfully from what I’ve seen…

It is the history of Quebec that brings this up. The October Crisis with the FLQ, as well as the 1996 referendum are key things. Imagine a very close 51%-49% vote. That is why Canadians are always on edge when the PQ or BQ gain more power. The next provincial election in Quebec,it is expected the PQ will gain power and they have stated they will hold a referendum. Throw the BQ into the position of Official Opposition and you have the perfect storm.

Parti Quebecois leader remains convinced he can win a sovereignty referendum

Paul St-Pierre Plamondon refuses to consider the possibility of a third losing referendum if he takes power.

montreal.ctvnews.ca

Quebec sovereignty movement - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

 

[nfitz]

I really don’t understand where you dream up a widespread pro-independence sentiment here in Quebec.

Because every cycle it gets closer. And it was razor thin last time.

And I'm not convinced the next government has the conviction and interest to avoid it.

Gosh, do you not remember all the Anglos who voted for Levesque?

Probably doesn't impact HFR. I assume that is dead once Trudeau resigns this week.

 

[Adjei]

We should be careful about reading too much into the rise of the PQ government in the polls as any endorsement of any referendum. The PQ may just be in the lead by default as voters seem to be turned off by Francois Legault.

I would like to see them campaign on a referendum if an election were to be held now. Quebec society is different now than when the last referendum was held. The last time the PQ brought up a referendum during an election call with Peladeau they were defeated in the polls even though they were leading in polls going into the election.

https://www.cbc.ca/amp/1.2590701

Also the PQ may be leading in the polls now but things could change if Quebec Liberal party select Pablo Rodriquez as leader:

Quebec Liberal Party enthusiasm for Pablo Rodriguez backed by poll

He only just announced his intention to seek the leadership of the Quebec Liberal Party last month, but if former federal cabinet minister Pablo Rodriguez were to lead the PLQ, the party could be a serious contender in the next provincial election in 2026. A recent Leger poll shows that with...

montreal.citynews.ca

So I wouldn’t say a referendum is some foregone conclusion.

 

[micheal_can]

We should be careful about reading too much into the rise of the PQ government in the polls as any endorsement of any referendum. The PQ may just be in the lead by default as voters seem to be turned off by Francois Legault.

I would like to see them campaign on a referendum if an election were to be held now. Quebec society is different now than when the last referendum was held. The last time the PQ brought up a referendum during an election call with Peladeau they were defeated in the polls even though they were leading in polls going into the election.

https://www.cbc.ca/amp/1.2590701

Also the PQ may be leading in the polls now but things could change if Quebec Liberal party select Pablo Rodriquez as leader:

Quebec Liberal Party enthusiasm for Pablo Rodriguez backed by poll

He only just announced his intention to seek the leadership of the Quebec Liberal Party last month, but if former federal cabinet minister Pablo Rodriguez were to lead the PLQ, the party could be a serious contender in the next provincial election in 2026. A recent Leger poll shows that with...

montreal.citynews.ca

So I wouldn’t say a referendum is some foregone conclusion.

Regardless of who wins in Quebec, Via isn't likely to be cut any further than it is now. If PP and the CPC think there is a clear and present danger of the PQ he may keep the HxR process going as it does give Quebec something. Never thought 'd be cheering for a separation crisis for something good with Via to happen.

 

[Bordercollie]

Regardless of who wins in Quebec, Via isn't likely to be cut any further than it is now. If PP and the CPC think there is a clear and present danger of the PQ he may keep the HxR process going as it does give Quebec something. Never thought 'd be cheering for a separation crisis for something good with Via to happen.

I'm not sure how many votes that would get him thou. Or if he cares.

 

[dowlingm]

I would be interested to see polling on, of all the bones that PP could throw Quebec, where enhanced rail sits. Given what has been done to Exo in recent years, the demise of the Charlevoix train, the failure to fund acquisition of the RDCs for Gaspé, and how much of the province is getting by without any daily service, I doubt it ranks as highly as some folk on this forum would like to tell themselves. I think “smaller federal government which doesn’t get in the Assembly’s way” is the more likely promise.