QUEBEC

Québec solidaire shows how to build a left pole

by Michelle Robidoux

Given the vitriol directed by pundits, corporate hacks and politicians at Quebec MNA Amir Khadir, one wonders what threat this sole elected representative of Québec solidaire represents

A big one, apparently.

Over the past few weeks, Khadir has repeatedly made the front pages—simply by raising questions that are on the minds of many people.

Khadir’s comments referring to Prince William and Kate Middleton as parasites were widely reported in English Canada. “What a waste of public funds,” Khadir said in an interview, referring to the upcoming visit by the princely pair. “All of this to welcome these parasites.”

On the same day, Khadir intervened in parliamentary hearings to question former Quebec premier Lucien Bouchard about his demand for compensation for gas companies who will not be able to develop shale-gas deposits in the St. Lawrence River. Khadir’s pointed questioning of Bouchard, who is now president of the Quebec Oil and Gas Association, provoked an angry outburst by Bouchard.

When Khadir told Bouchard “you have not been loyal to the commitment that we must have as servants of the public good,” he was articulating what many Quebeckers feel—that a key figure in the sovereignty movement had sold his soul to multinational oil and gas companies.

But by far Khadir’s most controversial battle has been his fierce opposition to a private member’s bill promoted by the mayor of Quebec City, Régis Labeaume, to ensure that no legal action can be taken against Quebecor in its management of a future arena in Québec.

Khadir’s firm stance undoubtedly contributed to the resignations of four PQ MNAs, who quit the party after being ordered by their leader Pauline Marois to vote in favour of the blatantly anti-democratic bill.

QS may only have one sitting MNA, but by clearly defining ideas and a vision of the type of society they are fighting for, by drawing out the class contradictions in day-to-day debates in the National Assembly, the party is drawing new forces and giving people a reason to mobilize in the upcoming election.