Bloc Quebecois - Adieu!

"This time, Quebecers wanted to try something else. I am leaving, but others will follow - until Quebec becomes a country." Gilles Duceppe

The heart simply bleeds for the emotional trauma writ so large on the visage of Bloc Quebecois leader Gilles Duceppe, once enough ballots were counted to inform him and all Bloquistes that their day had dawned, and finally set. The separatist party that was established for the sole and singular purpose of representing Quebec's interest in Canada's Parliament as a sovereign country determined to secede from Confederation has virtually vanished overnight.

From a political powerhouse of astringent complaints, totally disinterested in the federation, and completely consumed by its mission to separate Quebec from Canada, while continuing to demand its financial due entitlements in the form of federal transfer payments courtesy of the wealthier provinces, no longer an official, recognized party. The 47 seats that the Bloc commanded in the House of Commons were reduced to a paltry four.

Gone the authority to speak for its provincial little-brother political agitators, the Parti Quebecois, condemning the rest of Canada for mistaking Quebec's exceptionality as a nation as a whim of French-speaking Canadians. Gone the bluster and the blister, the canards and the unsubtle blackmail. This does not, however, translate into a change of heart for Quebecers; merely a change in tactics in the field of political warfare.

A new champion has arisen; this time no mere provincial party on the federal scene, but a federal party with representation in all the provinces of the federation, and prepared to champion the separatist cause if need be, but not necessarily if it need not. But it has given its word, through the voice and assurances of Jack Layton, leader of the NDP.

He will act on their behalf. He will do, far more effectively, for them, what Gilles Duceppe and the Bloc had promised, and failed to deliver. Mr. Duceppe has gone into retirement. No more will the Bloc be showered with tax-paid largess allowing it to insult and blackmail Canada. In its place, the New Democratic Party, newly heralded by Quebec voters as the official opposition in Parliament, speaking for Quebec.

It cannot be said with any kind of honesty that we are sad at the news of its timely demise. Adieu!