Pablo: Don't sell the bear's skin before you've killed it!

Ne pas vendre la peau de l'ours avant de l'avoir tué ! - CHRONIQUEURS - EstriePlus.com | Journal d'actualité Web | Sherbrooke | Estrie.

Here are a few excerpts from that column:

[TRANSLATION] "All this to say that the arrival of Pablo Rodriguez on the provincial scene as candidate for leader of the Quebec Liberal Party will mark a new political dynamic in Quebec."

What is this new political dynamic? Ask the candidate and chances are he won't have an answer. Rodriguez is a perfect example of status quo federalism. There is no plan for the renewal of the federation nor for Quebec's place in it.

[TRANSLATION] "Pablo Rodriguez, former Minister of Canadian Relations and La Francophonie, Minister of Transport and Justin Trudeau's political lieutenant in the federal government, embodies renewal and brings with him a wealth of political experience, valuable skills and an in-depth knowledge of the issues affecting Quebecers. His decision to return to Quebec is part of a broader movement to unify Francophone voices and strengthen the essential link between the QLP and this community."

To bring Francophones together, you need a vision of society that Quebecers see as attractive. This project must be based on the needs and aspirations of a changing society. Francophones cannot be content with a situation where there is increasing interference by the federal government in provincial government jurisdictions. The leader of the Liberal Party must, at the very least, curb these impulses from big brother in Ottawa. Ideally, the leader will have to fight to reverse these decisions by the Trudeau government, and Rodriguez is not the person to lead that battle against Trudeau.

[TRANSLATION] "The rebirth of the QLP in the hearts of Quebecers, encouraged by leaders like Rodriguez, is entirely possible and imminent, provided that the party succeeds in renewing itself and responding adequately to the expectations of a constantly evolving electorate."

It is clear that Francophones have, at the very least, a nationalist streak. Legault calls them autonomists. The joint efforts of Mulroney and Bourassa absolutely demonstrate that Francophones are still seeking collective security on the North American continent. Rodriguez, with his political experience at the federal level, is not the right person to answer these social questions. He is and always will be at least one step behind the legitimate goals of his people.