In a recent by-election in Chicoutimi-Le Fjord, that’s in Quebec, the Conservatives won easily over the liberals and the NDP, who came a distant third. I dare say two things, first, the Bloq separatist party are no longer a political party of significance and the NDP are done. The new Member of Parliament will be Richard Martel. In the 2015 federal election in which the liberals gained a new Majority, and Justin Trudeau became the PM, there wasnt’t really much for the Conservatives to look forward too. They lost, they had a Majority. But, there was some good news. The Conservatives gained in Quebec. They went from 6 seats to 12. And they’ve just added one more. 13. I say Congratulations, they are on the right track. Gaining more and more seats in the french Province. They can finally reach out to to Quebecers with something that they want. They have a solid foundation, A good Leader (Andrew Scheer), who’s from Saskatchewan and speaks French.
So how did they do it?
I’m not trying to be proud or arrogant but that’s the best question to ask. They are winning, making more gains in Quebec. One thing I notice is that Quebecers like to be treated independently. Separate from the other Provinces.
Quebec actually handles federal revenue on behalf of Ottawa. Also, the Province has more control over culture and immigration. There’s one other thing. With the recent jump in Asylum seekers from the U.S. it actually has a disproportionate impact on the Province. Conservatives are being sensitive to that. Others things that matter are Name Recognition. Turns out that Richard Martel is a pretty popular name in Chicoutimi. Which is probably a good thing. In Toronto, Mel Lastman is popular. He would likely win a seat here.
Next year there will be another Federal election. In all likelyhood there will be at least a few changes in Quebec. As I said earlier, The Bloq will be done and the NDP insignificant. They did finish a distant third in this bi-election. Which this means that those seats will be going to someone else. Conservative, liberal or possibly Green. We should look for changes in Quebec. The liberals will be fighting tooth and nail for seats in Quebec to hang on to their Majority. The column says they will want at least 20. And all at the expense of the Bloq and NDP. If you’re Conservative, you’d better be getting ready for a real fight in Quebec. Start planting. Get your Candidates out there campaigning, choosing the most popular, start gaining. It’s hard work campaigning, which I know to well. In the most recent Ontario Election I was out and about in each neighbourhood asking people if they’d decided who they would be voting for in the election. We visited a Mosque, houses and apartments. On hot days and rainy. It’s a lot of work. The Candidate has to take some time off work which is for what? fortunately our Candidate won. But for the others well, you get the picture. It requires perseverance. You may not win.
Conservative Blue 