Quebec separatists lose election!

[Centurion40]

Hurray!  :)

http://www.cbc.ca/news/business/canadian-dollar-stronger-following-quebec-liberal-win-1.2602123

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/montreal/quebec-votes-2014/quebec-election-liberals-win-majority-1.2601555

The Liberals took 70 seats in the 125 seat National Assembly, the Parti Québécois 30, the Coalition Avenir Québec 22 and Québec Solidaire three.

The Liberals entered this election campaign as the official opposition, but battled back from a public backlash and integrity questions that saw the province elect its first Parti Québécois minority government in the fall of 2012.

The election itself, called early by the PQ with majority hopes in sight, was a gamble from the start — and it's one the party lost.

Pauline Marois, who lost her own seat in her Charlevoix–Côte-de-Beaupré riding, stepped down as party leader during an emotional concession speech in front of her supporters.

It was a clear message from Quebec voters that economic stability was more important than lingering questions about the party's integrity. And, that the population didn't want the divisive politics that emerged as a result of the PQ's proposed secular values charter.

At his victory rally in his home riding of Roberval, Couillard promised that he would serve as the premier of all Quebecers.

"We should all focus on what brings us together. What unites us makes us stronger. Let us say together with passion, 'Nous sommes tous ​fier d'être Québécois.'"

Capitalizing on PQ missteps around the referendum and cultural issues, the former neurosurgeon and his team convinced Quebecers that the "vraies affaires," or real issues, that mattered most to the province were the economy and jobs.

[Silent Disapproval Robot]

I had hoped that the CAQ would have taken more seats and become the official opposition.  It makes me laugh every time I hear one of the talking heads on CBC say "the cack..."

[Redwolf]

As long as France doesn't invade to liberate their population that's all fine with me.

[Centurion40]

I had hoped that the CAQ would have taken more seats and become the official opposition.  It makes me laugh every time I hear one of the talking heads on CBC say "the cack..."

Why?  The CAQ are merely delayed separatists.

[Gusington]

Are they going to call the Russians if the French don't intervene?

[Centurion40]

Are they going to call the Russians if the French don't intervene?

More like Haiti.  :o

[endfire79]

I celebrated with a couple drinks.  I would have been happier if Lisee, Drainville and Peladeau also got booted out. The people have spoken.  The PQ tried to ride on divisive issues like the ridiculous charter of values, and of course, separation.  People are not interested in these.  Address the fiscal issues, and get a plan to address the provinces debt, instead of just 'paying the interest' on a multi year loan.  The challenge will be for the liberals to not be associated with any more corruption once those hearings start again.   I don't think it's a liberal issue, it's been endemic in the province for a long time regardless of the party in power. 

I hope Scotland also gets a reality check as well and quashes their own silly notions of 'independance'.

[Mr. Bigglesworth]

The separatists should immigrate to France. Good by.

[Redwolf]

There is no reason for that amount of cruelty.

[Martok]

There is no reason for that amount of cruelty.

Cruelty to whom -- the separatists, or France?  :P 

[GDS_Starfury]

I speak for all of Florida when I say they're welcome anywhere but here.

[Barthheart]

There is no reason for that amount of cruelty.

Cruelty to whom -- the separatists, or France?  :P

France.

[Shelldrake]

As a former Quebecer with family still living in la belle province I was relieved by the outcome.

[endfire79]

I speak for all of Florida when I say they're welcome anywhere but here.

Hehe, I'm supposed to head to Tampa for a project at end of April.  Hope I can score some playoff tickets.

[JasonPratt]

I speak for all of Florida when I say they're welcome anywhere but here.

Heh! -- my Dad's family immigrated to Florida from Quebec. Back in Oct 2000 we flew up to rural NY to cross the border to find his last living relatives in the area; separatist sentiment was pretty high at that time, too, and with the tourist season basically over our English-speaking ways led the locals to not have much patience with us. A fun trip, though! (Among other things, I learned that the local river flowing by Magog connected to the Lake Champlain watersystem and so had had its share of water-monster sightings! )