Letter to the babounes caquistes | The Journal of Quebec

Each formation of the Council of Ministers, each reshuffle, produces its share of sulkers.

Deputies are suddenly transformed into ladies and gentlemen Baboons.

A former parliamentarian wrote to me on Thursday: “When you look at certain people…seated…there are some who must say to themselves, ‘Osti, I gave up my job and my freedom to just be an annoyed deputy.’ »

It was inevitable that many chosen among the 60 or so who did not enter the Holy of Holies would be disappointed.

Some called in sick: Youri Chassin, Sylvie d’Amours and Gilles Bélanger. Several others, present at the Red Salon, looked downcast.

• Listen to the Philippe-Vincent Foisy and Antoine Robitaille meeting broadcast live every day at 12:15 p.m. via QUB-radio :

Block

François Legault feels and fears the disappointment of many of his flock. Tuesday, at the swearing-in of elected officials, he took care to say that he does not tolerate “quarrels in the family”. In caucus, behind closed doors, “we can say anything to each other”. But when we get out, “we are a united block, impossible to cross”. Understood ?

On Thursday, once the disappointments had been created, he began his speech by « talking about a heartbreaking human exercise ». Then praised in a supported way the “tremendous talents” of the without-portfolio.

For a head of government and party, it is legitimate to want to promote unity, discipline, the united front. The ambition of certain elected officials to become ministers is also legitimate.

Green plants

After her defection to the Conservative Party, Claire Samson had denounced the role of “green plant” to which the deputies of the party in government are assigned.

The CAQ is particularly centralizing in these matters. Suzanne Blais (Abitibi-Ouest) had candidly illustrated it in 2021. She was criticized for her silence in the face of reductions in health services. His reply: “It is the regional minister who always speaks first, and then the opposition. If I was in opposition, you would see me regularly. »

If it really wants to avoid the chicanery, the CAQ, in its second term, will have to loosen the noose. No need to wait for an improbable parliamentary reform.

MPs should be free to speak in their region. And, in Parliament, to really participate in the detailed study of bills. They have the absolute right, as members of the legislature, to work to improve the laws.

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Innovate!

As for you, ladies and gentlemen Baboons, you have a responsibility. You are not ministers? Put your “drama” of “deputy-disappointed” into perspective. You are still elected. There are only 125 out of 8 million here!

Don’t get gagged. Refuse the status of « green plant ». It’s possible.

You are legislators. Government controllers. Representatives of your constituents. Document yourself, consult your world, write to journalists (antoine.robitaille@quebecormedia.com). Use the many tools available to you. You’re bored ? Launch projects. Innovate. There is so much to do in Quebec.

And if you really don’t agree with your party anymore, that it surrounds you abusively, become independent or join another one. And if really the fact of not being a minister is for you an incurable wound of pride, resign. You are not in the right profession.