Christian Bourque, vice president of the polling firm, called the results "astonishing" since Quebeckers generally don't want the Feds to mess with fields, like health, which are provincial responsbilities. But obviously this is one issue where an attack on one of the defining institutions of the Quebec projet de société cuts through a lot of polemic. PQ premier René Lévèsque unabashedly espoused things like universally accessible health but it should also be remembered that the Liberal premier who brought in full-fledged medicare in Quebec, Robert Bourassa, always called himself a social democrat. Jean Charest and his buddies certainly are not.
On a personal note, I'd like to note the passing of our ancient cat, Calie, just five weeks short of her 23rd birthday. She quit eating and drinking Friday, but she held on through Saturday when her buddies Lukas and Elin and their conjoints came by for dinner. After many pats, she went to sleep and didn't wake up on Sunday morning.
2 comments:
Oh, I'm terribly sorry to hear about sweet Calie, though as one could also say about Lena Horne, she "had a good run". And that is, all things considered, a rather pleasant way to die.
As for health, Amir Khadir, whose party is as indépendantiste as the PQ, is very clear on no attacks on universal single-payer healthcare. Personally, I only wish it could cover teeth - a very cruel oversight and a shortsighted one.
Back in the early days the Quebec program covered children up to 7, which was good since it's getting off to a clean start that makes a big difference in dental health. But that's gone by the wayside.
Another good thing would be cover eye exams for people between 15 and 65--you aren't unless you have a referral to an opthamologist. The loss in terms of labour productivity and road safety, I imagine, are enormous since people put off getting glasses or having them changed. The period between 45 and 65 is probably the most acute.
And thanks for the kind words about Calie.
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