“Federalists and sovereignists alike hold René Lévesque in high regard and I don’t understand why Madame Harel isn’t given the same level of respect,” said Grey.
The well-known civil rights lawyer and federalist has come under fire in recent weeks for supporting Harel, a long-time MNA with the Parti Québécois, and the architect of the 2001 municipal mergers that occurred while she was Minister of Municipal Affairs.
Hampstead Mayor William Steinberg recently vetoed a Town Council motion that sought to relieve Grey as the town’s legal counsel in a lawsuit concerning a local dog-run, because of his public support for Harel.
Grey believes that a candidate’s beliefs on Quebec’s place in Canada are irrelevant to municipal politics. He attributes the negative reaction from federalists to Harel’s mayoral bid to an outdated attitude that divides Quebecers in two.
“Quebec is not made up of two species, federalists and sovereignists,” said Grey. “We should stop demonizing sovereignists. They’ve given us some excellent governments that have accomplished some great things.”
Grey cited the Act Respecting Labour Standards, the Public Prescription Drug Insurance Plan, and government subsidized daycare as important accomplishments of PQ governments.
Some have argued that a sovereignist mayor would have a difficult relationship with the federal government, perhaps even intentionally, but Grey dismissed these concerns.
“Many Quebec politicians have had a somewhat provincialist and anti-federal outlook,” said Grey. “It’s not just sovereignists who butt heads with Ottawa.”
Grey’s support of Harel is partly motivated by his belief that Gérald Tremblay must be replaced. Grey said Tremblay has been a very weak mayor, and he must take responsibility for the ethical misconduct that has marred his administration.
“It’s inconceivable that Montrealers would re-elect such an inept and unfortunate government.”
Grey said there are many qualities that make Harel the best candidate for mayor. He said her experience in cabinet attests to her ability to run City Hall and that she holds strong social values, having been “the conscience of the PQ.”
Grey also said that Harel’s honesty is beyond reproach and that residents of since-demerged municipalities have nothing to fear in her candidacy.
“She has come to see that the mergers can’t be redone and she was always up front about her beliefs, unlike Mayor Tremblay.”
Grey defends Harel endorsement
Grey defends Harel endorsement
Supporting a sovereignist not a black-and-white issue, says prominent lawyer
Westmount resident Julius Grey is confused by the controversy caused by his support of Louise Harel’s mayoral candidacy in the upcoming Montreal election.
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- Thanasi Dionisopoulos
- - February 17th, 2010 at 14:18:11
I beg to differ with the esteemed law professor, Madame Harel dose not even measure up to the meager stature that was the "Rene Levesque". Let’s not forget that he was eviscerated by the calm sensible members of his party such as Harel et al for his response to the democratic voices of Quebec. Her personal exploits in petty “nationalist” politics such the mergers with the accompanying lack of respect democracy clearly qualifies her as “the conscience of the PQ.” Harel and her fellow travelers of the "by any means necessary" type would have us risk yet one more generation to uncertainty, economic stagnation, and unrest for its on selfish end. Harel and Gray's generation don't even begin to measure up to the generation that preceded them. What have these ageing almost achieved something great sixty’s wan be radicals truly done for our city? I would prefer to see someone more removed from their “impending legacy” rise up and actually do some common good for a change.
