I've got the blues

No, don’t worry, all is well. And how are things with you?

It’s still early enough in January for me to wish you a Happy New Year. And it’s not that the holidays were not enjoyable. They were somewhat quiet, but isn’t that what we all want?

No, things are going well and I should tell you I even have some good news to share: my daughter Sophie announced at Christmas that she is getting married. So my depression doesn’t stem from anything personal.

What’s getting me down is the world in general. Whereas we should be working on all sorts of things, being enthusiastic about it all and looking towards bettering our world, this morning I’m feeling somewhat down in the dumps.

I can appreciate the words of Willy Brandt, who, in 1967, upon seeing his two sons in the streets protesting against his government, stated that we might be born on the left, but we die on the right. I understand this, and I find it quite normal that the majority of 18- to 24-year-olds are so much in favour of ‘social democracy’. But it’s depressing to read the results of a CROP poll that were just made public. Perhaps I’m the one who is coming unhitched. Let’s look at this together. In spite of vast amount of evidence pointing towards the imminent arrival of a demographic shock in Quebec, the effects of which will be heightened by the aging population and by our level of collective debt, our fellow citizens do not see things in the same way.

They feel that Quebec must be as generous as possible in its social programs. While 36 per cent of those polled said that Quebec is already too generous, a large majority of 57 per cent are of the opposite opinion, seeking an even greater role for the state where the government can facilitate access to services and improve the extent to which we share our wealth and manage the economy.

Moreover, 83 per cent of Quebecers were offended by the increase in electricity rates, an increase of 20 per cent over five years. We’re still debating whether one day we’ll see fees imposed to counter wasting electricity. As for the possibility of doubling tuition fees over five years, just over a third of Quebecers are in favour and almost two-thirds opposed. When compared to other Canadian institutions, our universities are still under-funded.

The majority—53 per cent—oppose creating a system where patients contribute to health care. It’s not that I don’t agree with them, but my reasons are different. Sixty-six per cent are open to setting up private clinics and to welcoming private health insurance so as to accommodate those who wish to pay for health care. One wonders why there can’t be a combination of both systems. Quite strangely, 46 per cent of those polled support a decrease in services, while 49 per cent are opposed. The matter is definitely not closed.

Personally, I find it depressing because I keep thinking that we need less government and more individual responsibility. There is still work to be done.



• Jacques Chagnon is the Liberal MNA for Westmount-St. Louis.