In defence of liberalism and federalism in Quebec

From a manifesto published in today's Globe and Mail and La Presse, to which I am a signatory. (And read the comments on the Globe's website. My response is here.)

The current political situation is of grave concern to Quebecers who share liberal
and federalist values. The resounding defeat of the federal Liberal Party in the
September 17th by-elections, combined with a Quebec Liberal Party that is
confined to the bottom of the polls, not only demonstrates that these parties are
electorally weak, but also threatens the very existence of both political liberalism
and of a resolutely federalist vision in the province.

As federalists and full-fledged Quebecers, we liberals (whether independent or
card-carrying) refuse to be defeated by the present state of affairs; we are
determined to overcome it. We take this position because of our attachment to
liberalism, a political ideal based on the primacy of individual freedom, on
peaceful and democratic changes in political, social, and economic institutions
to encourage the best and most durable outcomes of human endeavour, and
on commitment to a society where personal rights and civil liberties are
protected.

A liberal strain certainly runs through Quebec society. Throughout our history, this
movement has fought for modern ideas, social progress, and economic
development. The same movement has relentlessly upheld the rights and
freedoms of every individual. It has courageously promoted a spirit of tolerance,
understanding and openness to the entire world, as well as the active
participation of Quebecers in the building of Canada. The champions of this
liberal cause have always distinguished themselves by their constructive spirit,
their creative audacity, their tenacious defence of free thought and speech,
and their ceaseless concern for social equity: among the most dearly held liberal
beliefs is that each member of society must have access to opportunities
essential to his or her fulfilment as an individual.

In contrast to ideologues who were focused on the past and insisted on isolating
Quebec from the rest of the world, the liberal movement fashioned Quebec's
modern identity. To Lionel Groulx’s doleful cry of «Notre Maître le Passé» (Our
Master, the Past), the liberal tendency responded with a resonant «Notre Maître
l’avenir» (Our Master, the Future), an ideal proclaimed in 1944 by Liberal premier
Adélard Godbout, the man who founded Hydro Quebec, recognized women’s
voting rights, and was the architect of free and mandatory education in the
province.

Steadfastly devoted to the promotion of the French language and culture, the
liberal tendency identifies with (and has always identified with) the words of the
great liberal thinker and eminent forerunner of the Quiet Revolution, Jean-
Charles Harvey: «French has chances of survival only if it becomes the synonym
of audacity, culture, civilization and liberty». We liberals of Quebec cling to this
idea more than ever at the turn of a 21st century characterized by globalization.
In no way do we fear for the survival of Quebec’s linguistic identity or culture.
Unlike those who constantly sound alarms about the so-called Anglophone or
immigrant «menace», we fully trust that the people of Quebec have the
capacity to take their language and culture into the future.

The issues that now concern the planet concern us too. Liberalism embraces
multilateralism. Great Liberal figures such as Lester B. Pearson and Lloyd
Axworthy have forged Canada’s formidable reputation in the world, and
advanced causes we hold dear: human security being among our values that
are now generally accepted.

The liberal movement is alive and well today in Quebec. We are proud to be
part of it. Many of our fellow citizens share these ideals and values. However, the
precarious situation of liberal-minded parties at this time threatens to weaken the
voice of political liberalism, a voice that has contributed so much to the creation
of modern Quebec, that has proclaimed ideals and values worth defending –
now more than ever –with courage and perseverance.

This is why we are asking of all Quebec liberals that they reassert their vision with
boldness and self-confidence. Let us remain firmly committed to our convictions
and ideas, but in doing so, let us always be open to adapting them to the
challenges of today and tomorrow. So, let’s roll up our sleeves! Let all the liberals
of Quebec do their share of the work that is necessary. As our predecessors have
proven throughout history, abdication in the face of difficulty and adversity is not
a liberal trait. We pledge to keep that very same spirit alive, for the liberal
movement must strengthen its capacity to build a confident Quebec, one that
can take its proper place not only in Canada, but also in the rest of the world.

Jennifer Crane, public affairs consultant, Pointe-Claire ; Mary Damianakis, professional
mediator, Baie d’Urfé ; Stéphane Desjardins, pulp and paper worker, St-Jérôme ; Jean-
Pierre Dufault, agricultural worker, Brôme ; Nathalie Goguen, journalist, Waterville ;
Catherine Grégoire, student, Quebec City, Daniel Laprès, freelance writer, Montréal ;
Philippe Legault, student, Laval ; David Simard, master’s student in political science
(UQAM), Montréal ; Francis Tourigny, lawyer, Montréal, and many other signatories :
www.courantliberal.ca