More

Omnibus Crime Bill Has Jean Charest Defending Quebec's Place In Canada

Jean Charest

First Posted: 11/23/11 02:55 PM ET Updated: 11/23/11 04:27 PM ET

Amazing
 Inspiring
 Funny
 Scary
 Hot
 Crazy
 Important
 Weird

QUEBEC - Quebec Premier Jean Charest has found himself in an awkward spot today, thanks to a dispute over federal crime legislation.

The premier is being forced to defend the merits of Canadian federalism in the face of opposition attacks.

His opposition, the pro-independence Parti Quebecois, has been citing disputes lately with the new Conservative majority government as evidence Quebec and Canada don't really belong in the same country.

The latest example: the omnibus Bill C-10, which would toughen penalties for young and adult offenders.

The opposition says Charest has proven powerless and failed to get any respect from Ottawa when he tries raising Quebec's objection to the bill.

Charest is defending his government — and his country — saying that one disagreement isn't a reason to seek independence from Canada.

The Charest government has, however, vigorously denounced the federal legislation. One provincial cabinet minister this week said he couldn't recognize Canada in this latest gesture by the Harper government.

Quebec and other critics of the crime bill say it's based on flimsy logic and non-existent evidence; they say it could have disastrous consequences, not only for long-term crime rates but also for taxpayers.

Key Measures In Tory Crime Bill
1  of  11
PLAY
FULLSCREEN
ZOOM
SHARE THIS SLIDE 
The bill, known as the Safe Streets and Communities Act, includes the following measures:

With files from The Canadian Press

(CP/Alamy)
MORE SLIDESHOWS NEXT >   |   < PREV
FOLLOW HUFFPOST CANADA POLITICS

QUEBEC - Quebec Premier Jean Charest has found himself in an awkward spot today, thanks to a dispute over federal crime legislation.The premier is being forced to defend the merits of Canadian federal...
QUEBEC - Quebec Premier Jean Charest has found himself in an awkward spot today, thanks to a dispute over federal crime legislation.The premier is being forced to defend the merits of Canadian federal...
Related News On Huffington Post:
 

Read more from Huffington Post bloggers:
Johannes Wheeldon, Ph.D

Johannes Wheeldon, Ph.D: Omnibus Crime Bill Ensures Justice For None

The federal government of Canada is set to institute the broadest, most regressive, costly, and ineffective criminal justice policies in this country's history, and the harm the Harper government is set to inflict on Canadian citizens, taxpayers, and communities is nothing less than criminal.

Filed by Daniel Tencer  | 

More in Canada Politics...


 
 
  • Comments
  • 12
  • Pending Comments
  • 0
  • View FAQ
Comments are closed for this entry
View All
Favorites
Recency  | 
Popularity
HUFFPOST SUPER USER
Language Learner
70 Fans
03:59 PM on 11/25/2011
Minimum Mandatory Sentences was a huge failure in the US costing hundreds of billions of taxpayers money all while enriching the private prison industries like Halliburton and friends.

This is about corporate money that dried America coming to Canada. Lobbying needs to be made illegal........
Permalink  |
photo
Electric Chuck Norris
0 Fans
12:58 PM on 11/25/2011
Odd how the article singles out Québec, when Ontario and Newfoundland are also opposed to the bill on the same grounds.

Honestly, though, we should begin to think seriously about plan B; i.e. Canada without Québec. The Québécois, by and large, feel that their nation is Québec and not Canada, and the victim complex built into their history cirriculum is the worst in the country and means that there will always be this energy-draining debate that saps time, money and will that would be best invested elsewhere. As a poster already mentioned, the only "federalist" in Québec is someone who believes that the federation is a net benefit to la nation québécoise, not someone whom believes in Canada as an end in itself.

We should accept the fact that the Québécois will cut and run the instant they are not net beneficiaries economically, and instead of dwelling on a "national" unity that honestly does not exist we should instead be thinking about how we can reconstitute a Canadian state that does not include them as members.

Let's become Canadians, not merely "les Anglos" or "Notamericans". Then let's bid the Québécois adieu.
Permalink  |
photo
HUFFPOST SUPER USER
Steve Lives
The Venus Project ... look it up
213 Fans
03:17 PM on 11/25/2011
Then I guess I better learn french, because if given the choice between a Harper lead country and a Charest lead country, I'll take Charest. At least he is motivated by science and facts. Harper on the other hand, not so much.
Permalink  |
tkondaks
73 Fans
10:25 PM on 11/24/2011
I'm always amused when Charest -- or any Liberal Quebec Premier -- is represented in the press as defending Canada, as this piece does.
There are only two parties in Quebec: honest separatists (the PQ) and dishonest separatists (the Liberals).
Permalink  |
photo
Jacetor
16 Fans
 
09:02 PM on 11/24/2011
It seems to me that if the Parti Quebecois thinks Quebec should separate over the crime bill that a few other provinces would be right behind them. King Stephen has really tweaked a nerve and from the clause by clause review it seems that his government is not interested in justice but rather it is interested in getting their own way.
Permalink  |
photo
HUFFPOST SUPER USER
Ascoli
1106 Fans
05:56 AM on 11/24/2011
I'd rather be a Quebecor ....that part of a neo-con Canada
Permalink  |
photo
HUFFPOST SUPER USER
piceaglauca
The picture says it all....
145 Fans
 
10:28 PM on 11/23/2011
Why is this the only province that throws the unity card into the mix? Why can't they skip the threats and get to the table and discuss together? Why are their views so different? It is so tiring that people pick something to further the flames. Quebec's objections might be sound but having said that there are other provinces experiencing problems also such as the double bunking in Manitoba and Mission BC but the two provinces didn't threaten they just pointed out a problem. Strange since the crime rate has gone down, hence fewer incarcerations resulting in more space. Kind of a paradox. As for Quebec's success with youth, good then if they keep it up the new "tough on crime" rules shouldn't affect them whereas in Manitoba the Youth Centre will continue to hold many aboriginals who are not receiving proper service form the system Here's where Quebec can demonstrate to the others how to be successful.
Permalink  |
photo
elatas
179 Fans
 
06:26 AM on 11/24/2011
Have you read the article? That is not Qiebec talking about unity it is the Parti Quebecoiis.

And Quebec won't be able "to keep it up with young offenders" as you say. That is the point of Fournier going to Ottawa to keep the focus on rehabilitating minors and have C10 modified.

Finally, why doesn't it say anywhere that Quebec is also asking for tougher sentences for repeat driving impaired offenders? They get ridiculous sentences until they kill or injure someone.
Permalink  |
photo
HUFFPOST SUPER USER
piceaglauca
The picture says it all....
145 Fans
 
05:09 PM on 11/24/2011
You sure can twist a point of view. I haven't got a clue where your comments are coming from. You must be thinking of something else and felt this was a good place to paste it.
Permalink  |
LetsKeepitSimple
56 Fans
10:24 PM on 11/23/2011
Its always easier to do nothing and criticize others. Also it takes attention off the great roads in Quebec, spend 30% more per KM than the rest of Canada and....I've seen better roads in the Caribbean.
Work takes twice as long and within 1 year the pothole return, I live in Quebec and have to laugh at the roads. its like having grade 6 kids work on the roads.
Where I go to school they are still trying to fix the local road, dont know when they started but they were working there on Sept 6th when I started school. Now Nov 23rd and no sign of completion for this one lane with parking city street despite working every day.
Permalink  |
headstrong
90 Fans
05:11 PM on 11/23/2011
Hmmm ... I knew the Convicts were intent on destroying Canada. I just thought it would take a couple more years.
Permalink  |
photo
HUFFPOST SUPER USER
Warren Yuill
Jesus Built My Hot-Rod
74 Fans
05:02 PM on 11/23/2011
I would never have expected Charest to play the race card.
Permalink  |