Charest has decided not to include the provisions of bill 204 (the Labeaume-Péladeau bill) inside an omnibus law, at least not until this fall. Given that it’s certainly not out of any sympathy for Marois that he’s taking this decision, I assume that there was also dissension inside his party regarding the bill. As for Marois, she’s invited three of her four former members to rejoin the caucus, but not Lisette Lapointe.
Also, François Legault has been awoken from his lethargy by these recent events, and is apparently now fully intent on forming a new political party, in time for the next provincial elections, even if they are held this fall (although otherwise he’ll wait until next year). I read about it in Le Devoir, but apparently Legault’s also been interviewed by the National Post on this subject if you’re interested.
I also want to share a post from another thread, which I think illustrates what I was going on about the somewhat shammy nature of Canadian multiculturalism [post=13877223]here[/post] (and many times before). From [thread=610941]this thread[/thread]:
I said it’s an “illustration”, not “proof”, but I can just hear what that building designer was thinking. “See, here in Toronto we’re so open to all cultures that make up this great country, that not only do we not have a 13th floor in our buildings because 13 is unlucky in Western cultures, but we also do not have a 4th floor, because 4 is unlucky in Asian cultures! (And we even exclude 4, 13 and 14 from all floors for good measure.) Because, as you know, there are a lot of Asians here in Toronto, and we want them to feel totally at home in our great country while still following their ancestral culture which is worth so much to us. Ha! Here’s something you wouldn’t see Euros, Quebecers and Americans do! We’re open-minded and multicultural, dammit! Don’t you see? Why won’t you see!? Just look at the building!”
The thing with this is that I believe it fosters tokenism and a very superficial understanding and “appreciation” of other cultures. I wouldn’t say it’s “wrong”, but I think it’s not the amazing development that some Canadians seem to believe. (Even Spoons in his post which precipited mine.)