I live in Alberta, as does Cat, and because of this thread, I reviewed Alberta’s Municipal Government Act today. There are various reasons to remove a councillor or mayor from power, and among other reasons, this is included:
It does, and such a power is available to the provincial government. In Alberta, anyway. I cannot speak for other provinces, as I did not search their statutes–but see below.
I did try to look at Quebec’s statutes, but being unfamiliar with Quebec’s civil law codes, I am unsure if I was looking in the right place. At any rate, based on what I did see. the government of Quebec cannot remove a municipality’s mayor just because it doesn’t like what he or she stands for.
I guess then the question becomes, if the PQ remove a Montreal mayor because he or she doesn’t support the charter of Quebec values thing, who is going to stop them?
On the topic of Montreal mayors - I’m not entirely sure who to vote for. I’ve been trying hard to decide, but…
Of the four frontrunners, they all don’t support the Charter that I am also against, but… one is being elusive on whether or not she’s a sovereignist, one used to believe 9/11 was an inside job (says he doesn’t believe that anymore, but admits he wanted to shock people when he said it), and the other two are both accused of making robocalls.
I don’t know who to vote for.
Though if whoever gets voted in is kicked out by the PQ, it may be a moot point.
Since, traditionnally, municipal politics is the lowest level where you can find every political has-been, incompetent or corrupt politician, I usually end up voting for one of the independents or unknown. Can’t be much worse than the top bozos.
But since this is just statutory, can the provincial government not simply amend the applicable law to grant themselves this power? Not saying that it would be a good idea or anything.
Thanks. I wouldn’t mind running for mayor. I’d make more music festivals, fix the roads, lower the price of poutine, and promote peace and harmony among all citizens of Montreal.
I suppose they could, but it would probably be political suicide; akin to telling voters, “If we don’t like who you choose, we’ll just throw them out.” I don’t think the voters of Montreal would think much of the PQ after that, and might indicate their displeasure at the ballot box the next time a provincial election rolls around.
We decided that the PQ are pushing to get the martyrdom vote already, right (they push too hard and the Federal government eventually pushes back)? I don’t see how alienating Montrealers plays into that game plan, though.
Easy. The pur laine Francophones in Montreal won’t care. The Muslim, Hindu, Sikh, and observantly Jewish Montrealers will split for other provinces. Anglos, and those Francophones who don’t feel oppressed by Muslims and Jews, won’t stick around. The former will move to Ontario; the latter will move to Francophone communities in Ontario and New Brunswick, where their Francophone status is celebrated (in the case of Ontario), and constitutionally-allowed, if not celebrated (in the case of New Bruswick).
Remember Jacques Parizeau’s quote about “money and the ethnic vote.” With money (whether belonging to Jewish, Muslim, Hindu, Sikh. or Anglo people) moved out of the province; and with the physical leaving of the “ethnic vote,” the next referendum on independence ought to go the PQ’s way.
In other words, get rid of the “money and the ethnic vote” in Montreal, and you’ve got an independent Quebec.
I look forward to having a “Toronto Smoked Meat Sandwich” at Schwartz’s, the next time I’m in Toronto. Will it land on Spadina, like Shopsy’s and Switzer’s were, or will it be on Yonge Street?
A ex-pat Montréaler friend wanted to rename the stretch of the 401 across the Greater Toronto Area the “René Levesque Highway”, for his contribution to the economy of the area in the mid-1970s.
As I said earlier, it would be hugely controversial, but the Feds should insist that the next neverendum should include not only those who have been resident in the province of Québec for 6 months or longer, but also anyone who was born in the province, regardless of current place of residence. I think I’d like to see that result…
And on that merry note, Happy Thanksgiving, everyone. I am extremely grateful to have a country worth discussing, and good friends with whom to argue about it. Wishing you all joy this long weekend.
Lower the price of Schwartz’s smoked meat and you have my vote.
Like I said before, The PQ is under the control of the hicks (think of them as our version of the Tea Party) since the 80s. They have been trying to diminish Montreal’s influence since then. Seems like they are succeeding.
In those days, my mom was a real estate agent in Oakville and Burlington. Most of her clients were people fleeing Montreal (she would regularly visit Montreal to recruit clients), as my family had the previous decade.
I would love that, and would vote for P.Q. to stay in Canada.
It wouldn’t just be impossible, it’d probably be illegal, and is without precedent. Provincial elections and votes have always been based on one’s status of permanent residence.
