The Westmount Examiner May 15 1997Great to see political idealism not dead yetShort of offering up an editorial declaring a winner at Tuesday's candidates night at Victoria Hall (it was a meet-the-candidates night, after all, and not a debate) what can be said is that it is inspiring to see political idealism is not yet dead in this country, despite all our apparent political problems.  ![[Version en Français]](fr.gif){kind=small}
Liberal incumbent Lucienne Robillard and Conservative challenger Tom Davis received most of the attention at the well attended event, organized by the Westmount Municipal Association and The Examiner, and astutely moderated once again by David and Diana Nicholson (neither of whom passed out).
Both held their own, but so did the also-rans.While an NDP breakthrough in Westmount seems about as likely as a Bloc Québécois breakthrough in Newfoundland, it was still refreshing to see how the NDP candidate, Chris Carter, a McGill student politician, was able to grasp the issues and get his arguments across. It was great ,too, to see his candour and enthusiasm for his party's platform. He might be someone to watch in years to come. If only we could all have had it so together at age 24. Likewise Green Party candidate Brian Sarwer-Foner, 32, brought some unvarnished idealism to the table, knowing full well that in this unity-obsessed riding/province/country, his only role in this campaign will be to raise environmental consciousness, not garner votes. A little bit older but still registering high on the Richter scale of idealism and patriotism is independent candidate Dr. Roopnarine Singh of Canada Day parade fame (his motto: "One Canada, indivisible!") who is obviously passionate about his country. He'd be a great fellow with whom to cast a protest vote if you aren't happy with the Liberal or Conservative party leaders' answers on national unity. The flip side of Dr. Singh was the Bloc Québécois candidate, Bernard Guité (whose motto might be, "one Canada, divisible" or "one Canada, invisible"), who once he got off the mantra of the government being run by "drunken sailors" (surely he was thinking of Jacques Parizeau) made some passionate statements about the Quebec he would like to see, separate from Canada. And after separation "you can all keep your Canadian citizenship and speak English, too!" he told the crowd. Does great Richard Nixon 
While you might not believe Mr. Guité (who did a great imitation of Richard Nixon, by the way--"I am not a crook") it was informative, at least, to get a look at the combination of passion and cynicism that federalists are up against. It was also something like a splash of cold water on the face to hear the certainty with which Mr. Guité assured everyone in the room that another referendum will be taking place in the not too distant future.There was also Allen Faguy of the Natural Law Party, who suggests that if we just get our collective consciousness together, everything else will start to iron itself out--if that's not whittling it down too much. Mr. Faguy has brought his message to Westmounters in a couple of elections now; clearly he believes in what he says, and it shows. Likewise he was taking on an audience about as likely to take up yogic flying as they are to join the Communist League, but he presented himself well and reminded us there are some other ways of looking at things. 
Marxist-Leninist candidate Normand Chouinard (the only candidate responding to last week's Examiner question, "Name a political idol or role model..." who would not name anyone in particular-as in, how about Marx or Lenin?) is also young and idealistic, and surprisingly democratic for a Marxist-Leninist. In fact he seemed to suggest that the army should be elected, rather than just, well, hired, as has been done up to the present. Until that happens, we'll just have to take this one election at a time, and be happy we have enthusiastic people running for office. by Bernie O'Neill  Most of the Photos are by Stanley Baker Unity center stage at candidates night1,210 wds By Sarah MusgraveFireworks flew between the eight federal election candidates who created an entertaining and informativeevening for the packed house at Victoria Hall on Tuesday night 
For some, the most memorable moment of the Meet the Candidates night will be Bloc Québécois candidate Bernard Guité intoning, "Vote for me!" while making peace signs with both hands à la Richard Nixon. For others, it was the fire and brimstone of Bloc Canadien independent RoopnarineSingh. . Or perhaps the yogic flying proposed by the Natural Law Party.But most would agree that the big "if" caused the most sparks. And it was the major parties who faced repeated questions from the audience about how they would protect federalist Quebecers in the riding of Westmount-Ville-Marie if there was a Yes vote or a unilateral declaration of independence after another referendum. "We have always said we won't keep Quebec against its will," Liberal Lucienne Robillard said. "But it is our priority to keep the country united. I am against the partition of Canada, that's why I'm in politics." In the meantime, she said, the Chrétien government is renewing the federation through programs like Manpower and would recognize Quebec as a distinct society. Robillard repeated that the government is awaiting a Supreme Court decision on the legality of separation if these initiatives don't work. 
However Robillard's record during the last referendum was attacked by Progressive Conservative Tom Davis, who accused her of being absent during the campaign."Remember how you felt in October 1995," he told the audience. "She failed every federalist in this room. Everyone knows it was Jean Charest's passion and leadership that kept the country together last time around." Davis added that his party had put two initiatives on the table (the Meech Lake and Charlottetown accords) "that almost led to unity." The Tories are also proposing to eliminate inter-provincial trade barriers. Despite the federalists' attempts to quell the fears of the crowd, the Bloc warned that separation is right around the corner--Supreme Court decision or not. "I have a surprise for you," an effusive Guité said over boos from the audience. "This is the last election before the next referendum and who you elect in Ottawa will represent will represent you there when independence happens. Right now it is run by drunken sailors." The Liberals and the Tories have already had their chance to try to keep the country together, New Democrat Chris Carter said, but the last referendum was a close call. "Why is our national identity falling apart?" he asked. "Because the government has failed to support the very things that hold us together - health care, the CBC, our human rights record and a commitment to education. The NDP is the only party talking about these issues." Words from the fringe The fringe parties also had a few key words to add on the hottest topic of the night. "The traditional parties have failed Canadians," Independent Roopnarine Singh of the Bloc Canadien said. "But like battered women you come again and you want to chose one husband or the other." Singh Singh pointed out that he has organized the Canada Day Parade for the last 20 years out of love for the country. Green Party candidate Brian Sarwer-Foner managed to incite applause with his point about Canadian unity, while taking the Liberals to task for failing to live up to their environmental commitments. "Whether Quebec separates or not, it stays fixed on the same spot on Earth," he said. "National borders are not as important as ecological borders." Canada's problem is that it has an outdated constitution, according to Marxist-Leninist Normand Chouinard. "The only role of the electorate is to vote on June 2. The big political parties decide everything after that. People must take politics into their own hands." But the Natural Law party had the perhaps most innovative solution for the country's woes, although the collective consciousness of the audience that night did not appear to be on line. "Maybe you're not ready for this yet," candidate Allen Faguy addressed the chuckling crowd. "Yogic flying puts you in touch with the deepest subtlest level of nature. It can bring down suicide rates and send up stock prices." The debate raged on with the subject of taxes, including the widely reviled GST, on the table. Davis promised to "put more money into people's pockets" by reducing personal income taxes and employmnt insurance premiums. He defended the GST as a good replacement tax to the manufacturers tax which made Canadian goods less competitive. Robillard commented that the Liberals had inherited the huge $42 billion deficit of their predecessors, and that it was the first time in history that a government was so far ahead in its plan to reduce the deficit. As for the GST, a parliamentary commission had studied alternatives, but they had decided that the best bet was to harmonize the taxes, she said. Carter said that what passes for "harmonization" really means shifting the burden onto individuals rather than corporations and called for the phasing out of the GST which "squashes" small businesses. The candidates also faced questions about the failing Montreal economy, which Robillard was able to deflect with a plan for the greater Montreal area released that morning. "Political instability is a big factor, too," she added. 
A free Quebec could use its power to create a prosperous city, Guité argued. "You can keep your English language and your Canadian citizenship", he said. "But you would live in Quebec."On the issue of post-secondary education, the major parties all underlined the importance of accessible universities, but had different plans for how to do it. The Liberals are helping students, Robillard insisted. "We have a tax credit for parents who help students and we are trying to facilitate the reimbursement of loans." The PC party believes in being wired for success, Davis said. "The Internet and computers are the way of the future as we move into the global economy." The Tories also want to create national education standards. 
Again Carter blasted the government for cuts to transfer payments, saying it had "blood on its hands" when it came to students.The Tories' softer stance on gun control was questioned, with Davis answering that the new mandatory registration costs $500 million. 
"The legislation was enacted as a demand of women, especially in Montreal," Robillard responded forcefully.
In the end it boiled down to the Conservatives and Liberals battling it out.
Silence fell over the room as Robillard made her final remarks. "The government has succeeded in the economic field but zero deficit is not a goal unto itself," she said, pausing. "Personally as a francophone, Montrealer, Quebecer and Canadian, I want to put my energies and pay the price as a politician to serve you and serve my country."
The most important issue is the future of the country, Tom Davis concluded. "You can choose to reward the failure of Madame Robillard and Mr. Chrétien or you can choose the vision of Jean Charest."
Many in the audience said they found the speakers "impressive," but no one wanted to call a clear winner for the evening."It was very interesting," Heidi Gulakee of Grosvenor Avenue commented. "I really came down to see their faces in person before I decide how I'll vote." Her son Eric, 21, said he was still undecided, too. |
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