Let me tell you all something:

I’ve never voted for the LPC in my whole life. I have voted NDP, Bloc and PC. Though I’m often painted as some kind of lefty nut by the more right wing folks around that I interact with, I’m probably a soft NDP/red red tory (I’d like balanced budgets, but not at the cost of social programs - if we need to tax to take care of the weakest in our country, so be it). 

I vote Bloc because Gilles is a good MP and because I honestly think they do a good  job taking care of our province as MPs. 

OH, and it should be pointed out that I’m anglophone. I vote this way at some personal expense. I have gotten into fights with people at workplaces and within my family about my choices. 

In the last few days I, and people like me all over Canada and within Quebec, have been vilified. I love Canada with all my heart and soul. Even more so now that I’m away from home. I happen to skew left. I happen to think that people count more than companies. I think that gay people should be able to marry. I think that women should have control over their wombs (I’m not “pro-abortion” no one is “pro-abortion” please fuck off with that. I’m also pro-Union, pro-equal pay and think that government should be more transparent and that much of what goes on in the House is a circus. 

I am not treasonous. I am not supporting a coup. I am not involved in sedition. I’m not a dread separatist (more on that in a second). My supporting the perfectly legal and constitutional moves of the LPC, the NDP with the support of the Bloc does not mean I’m a bad person. Just one who understand our system of government and disagrees with the CPC and Steven Harper. 

I know that for many in the Rest of Canada it’s easier to simply reduce Quebec politics to federalist or separatist and then move on, as if there is nothing else that we ever think about. As if every vote we take cast is only done so through the prism of wanting to leave Canada or not. 

Here’s the reality: I vote for the PQ in my home riding, not because I love the idea of Quebec leaving Canada, but because every other thing they believe I agree with. Because I hate, with a burning hot rage, Jean Charest. I have alwasy voted PQ (which I’ve been doing for about 4 provincial elections) with a sense of guilt. With an apology on my lips. 

No more. 

Today, and for the foreseeable future, this tête carré has had enough. 

Mr Harper, congratulations. You’ve nearly turned me into a separatist.