Congratulations to our outstanding Member of the National Assembly, Lawrence Bergman, on the most impressive win of all 125 ridings across Quebec. Lawrence is very deserving of such support as he has represented our riding with conviction and determination. The numbers show that his constituents have appreciated his hard work.

The picture isn’t as rosy for Liberal leader Jean Charest, defeated in his hometown of Sherbrooke, who now must decide what to do about his own political future.

The fact is, only a few hundred votes across a few ridings prevented the Liberals from forming a minority government. The difference in popular vote between the Liberals and PQ is a mere one percent.  It seems that the Montreal Gazette’s editorial endorsement of the Francois Legault’s CAQ by suggesting strategic voting may have worked in the PQ’s favour.

As to the PQ win, at least it’s only a minority that may have a very limited lifespan without the ability to achieve its referendum to separate Quebec from Canada. This is a relief to many English-speaking Quebecers who view Pauline Marois as a very scary leader.  Her plea, in English, in her acceptance speech (just before she was whisked aside by security agents), “Don’t worry, we will protect your rights,” will offer little comfort to Anglos.

So no need to put the house up for sale. The sky isn’t falling and the results show that notwithstanding the PQ win, a majority of Quebecers do not support its separatist program. Indeed, the total seats for the Liberals and CAQ exceed that of the PQ and QS by about 10 seats. Makes you wonder why the Liberals and CAQ don’t try to form a coalition government?

So stay tuned as this story is not over. We must speak loudly to continue to protect minority rights that mean-spirited Marois would strip away if left unchecked.

The good news? Support for separatism is very low and the next election could be right around the corner.

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