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Despite a public show of solidarity, some Quebec Liberals express bitterness, frustration and the urgent need for new leadership.

Author of the article:

La Presse Canadienne

Jocelyne Richer

The political future of Quebec Liberal Leader Dominique Anglade seems increasingly uncertain, according to a survey of party members still reeling from their historic defeat in the Oct. 3 election.

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If the Liberals are publicly exhibiting a common front of support for Anglade, as was seen during last weeks caucus meeting in Yamachiche, things change dramatically once the cameras are pointed elsewhere. Some party members have expressed bitterness, frustration and an urgent need for new leadership.

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Over the past few days, Presse Canadienne interviewed a dozen Liberals, some of them longtime party members, who have worked with Anglade. The group included ex-MNAs, defeated candidates and one party official. All of them agreed to express their candid opinion on the condition their identities not be revealed.

Not one of those interviewed predicted that Anglade will be at the helm by the time the 2026 election is held. None said they would support her during a confidence vote at the next party convention, scheduled to be held within the next year. Some made it clear the only reason they are remaining party members is to oust her during the confidence vote.

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Should Anglades leadership survive that vote, it would be a tragedy for the party, said one ex-MNA who a few months earlier was working alongside the leader.

Many of those interviewed said concerns about Anglade were such that the scramble to find a new leader had begun even before the election campaign. She almost killed the Liberal party since becoming leader, said one former cabinet minister, who holds Anglade personally responsible for the partys misfortunes.

The Quebec Liberals recorded their worst electoral performance in history on Oct. 3, electing 21 MNAs 10 less than in 2018 and garnering just 14 per cent of the ballots cast, placing them in fourth place in the popular vote behind the Parti Qubcois and Qubec solidaire.

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That 10 per cent drop in votes compared with 2018 is part of a trend that has seen support for the Quebec Liberals plummet by 1.1 million votes since 2014 and francophone electors essentially disavow the party.

Faced with such catastrophic numbers, there are concerns in the party over whether it can survive any more battering.

The (Liberal party) is not immune to disappearing, said one candidate defeated in what was once a Liberal stronghold, while another asked: How much further can we sink?

Anglade, who has said she will remain leader, needs to be clear headed and do whats right for the party, one defeated candidate said.

She just isnt working out with voters or party members, said one former caucus member. The person said they knew of longtime Liberal supporters who decided to stay home on election day because Anglade was in charge.

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The former MNA said people didnt want to see her when she showed up in a riding during the campaign.

While acknowledging her abilities, many Liberals complained Anglade never succeeded in connecting with voters or the party base, with one saying she should leave for the good of the party.

Anglades leadership style left the Liberals interviewed for this story less than impressed. Their complaints included an inability to listen, a disconnect with Liberal values, an inability to attract new members or financing, the decision to appoint an inexperienced entourage and, most importantly, the neglect of the network of Liberal party volunteers, an organizational asset once described by former leader Jean Charest as the backbone of the party.

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Anglade had 2 1/2 years to prove herself and it didnt work, said one former MNA who initially supported her leadership but now calls for her departure, adding that a tense and toxic climate reigned in the party before the election was called. That assessment was shared by many other sources.

The decision by Anglade to campaign on her personality was a risky bet and one she lost, they said, adding that loss makes her departure inevitable.

Anglades decision over the past two years to point the Liberals toward a more nationalist and environmentalist bent left some party members no longer able to recognize their own party. At first, she betrayed the ideals of the party, said one former MNA, then she tried to regroup and change direction, but it was too late the damage had been done and trust in the party shaken. The dizzying chain of events ultimately left the identity of the Liberal party nothing more than a brand of yogurt, they said.

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At least one defeated candidate, having experienced a crap election campaign beset by organizational chaos, says the leadership review should be held sooner rather than later, ideally by next summer so the party can move on.

One thing is certain, said another ex-MNA: Anglade must establish her authority over her caucus. If not, shes done.

All the people interviewed denounced what they called the completely deficient organization of the election campaign.

While the Liberal machine was once able to mobilize its supporters across the province, it now has to scramble to find volunteers. About 20 riding associations have no president, and in certain ridings the president is over 80 years old.

The troops are unmotivated and demoralized, said one association president, noting an exodus of party workers.

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Another warning sign was that about 10 candidates were absent at the start of the campaign, something unheard of for the Liberals.

Those interviewed said they expected heads to roll because of the bungled campaign, particularly those of party director general Julie Martel, chief organizer Jean-Franois Helms and communications director Jrmy Ghio, all of them chosen by Anglade.

Meanwhile, the more cynical say Anglades job may be safe at the moment if only because theres no rush on anyones part to take it, although one former minister said phone calls are being made and the hunt for a saviour has begun.

But at the moment, few saviours seem to be around. MNA Andr Fortin had been approached to run in the last leadership race but declined for family reasons, and MNA Marwah Rizqy, who is expecting a child, also weighed the idea of seeking the leadership but ultimately decided against it.

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The party is now 'a brand of yogurt' and Anglade must go, disgruntled Liberals say - Montreal Gazette

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Canada has enjoyed a lengthy peace dividend but that time is over. The Liberal government should wake up, listen and act

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OTTAWA Gen. Wayne Eyre must feel like Cassandra, the King of Troys daughter, who was granted the gift of prophecy but struck by the curse that no one would believe her predictions.

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The chief of the defence staff appeared at the public safety and national security committee on Parliament Hill last Thursday and warned in the starkest terms possible that dark forces are gathering in a chaotic and dangerous world and that Canadas geographic isolation is no longer a viable defence against them. Russia and China already consider themselves to be at war with the West, he said. They are interested, not just in regime survival, but in regime expansion.

The NP Comment newsletter from columnist Colby Cosh and NP Comment editors tackles the important topics with boldness, verve and wit. Get NP Platformed delivered to your inbox weekdays by 4 p.m. ET.

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Many of our allies and partners are clear-eyed about the threat to our future. We must be too. The stakes are high, he warned.

But for all the Liberal governments rhetoric about defending the rules-based order, there are few signs that the prime minister, his cabinet or his senior advisers are seized by the sense that the lights may go out in democracies around the world.

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Eyre was frank that Canada is not ready for this struggle, despite its efforts at reconstitution, and is currently short about 10,000 Forces personnel.

He was asked if it is important to increase military spending to two per cent of GDP, from the current 1.4 per cent. Its not my position to talk about defence spending, but the military we have today is not the military we need for the threats occurring in the future, he said.

Previously, Eyre has said that Canadas defence industry needs to be on a wartime footing to increase the weapons and ammunition available.

But in the seven months since Russia invaded Ukraine, there has been no appreciable uptick in military activity. We have not, for example, seen domestic manufacturers of ammunition awarded big, multi-year contracts to ensure a steady supply of munitions.

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According to retired Lt.-Gen Andrew Leslie, a former Liberal MP, the Department of National Defence handed back $3 billion in the 2021-22 fiscal year that it was unable to spend on new capital equipment. That would take the total handed back in lapsed, reprofiled and unallocated funds to $15 billion since this government came to power, Leslie said.

The blame can be laid squarely at the governments Byzantine spending rules 150 approval steps for most gear and the caution of bureaucrats warned for years not to overspend.

That is little short of negligent when inflation is running so high.

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The 2022 budget suggests that defence spending will reach $41 billion in 2026/27, from $18.6 billion a decade earlier. Yet, the budget also indicates GDP will grow to $3.1 trillion within five years, meaning defence spending as a proportion of the economy will remain static (and thats if you classify the Communications Security Establishment, the Canadian Coast Guard and Veterans Affairs as military spending, which the government does).

The risible state of Canadas ability to defend itself was highlighted this weekend by a request from Ukraine for its allies to supply air defence systems to protect against Russias indiscriminate missile attacks. One source said the call was made to Canada by Ukrainian officials who did not know that this country has no air defence systems of any kind.

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Leslie tweeted recently that the political and public service leadership at National Defence has failed Canada by not providing the Forces the resources it needs to deter or protect its citizens from hostile powers.

If Prime Minister Trudeau and Minister of Finance Freeland wanted to solve this, they would pay a lot more personal attention and get it done, he said in an interview.

He said his experience as a general involved in the Afghanistan conflict under three prime ministers - Jean Chrtien, Paul Martin and Stephen Harper suggested that when there is support at the highest levels, the military can be upgraded fairly quickly.

Far from being clear-eyed, the governments response appears to have been clouded by wishful thinking that the current crisis in Ukraine is an aberration.

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Leslie said the Liberals feel pretty guilty that they didnt make the cultural changes needed to address sexual misconduct for six years.

The Armed Forces are expected to be ready to defend the nation and this is the most urgent hour, except perhaps the years just before the Second World War. And yet DND has been found to be less than ready. he said. The price of not being ready, ironically, is that the Forces are more likely to be involved in war.

Canada has enjoyed a lengthy peace dividend but that time is over. This countrys most senior soldier has told its political leaders in a public forum that Russia and China want to remake the world order to suit their own ends, and are prepared to use all elements of national power, including armed conflict. The Liberal government should wake up, listen and act.

Email: jivison@postmedia.com | Twitter: IvisonJ

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Postmedia is committed to maintaining a lively but civil forum for discussion and encourage all readers to share their views on our articles. Comments may take up to an hour for moderation before appearing on the site. We ask you to keep your comments relevant and respectful. We have enabled email notificationsyou will now receive an email if you receive a reply to your comment, there is an update to a comment thread you follow or if a user you follow comments. Visit our Community Guidelines for more information and details on how to adjust your email settings.

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John Ivison: Our enemies are on war footing, Trudeau Liberals should be too - National Post

The Australian forgets that it was Liberals stacked AAT Join us on socialNewslettersGet Access Code.

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The Australian has decried the AAT as 'politically stacked' some time in the 'past three years'. Who was responsible, we wonder?

Remind me again, who was it that stacked the Administrative Appeals Tribunal (AAT) with its political mates, cronies, hacks, former staffers, failed candidates and those generally needing somewhere to go after being voted out of government?

Today, incomprehensibly, Australia's national daily failed to nail the Coalition government as being responsible for what is very likely the most egregious and audacious stacking ever of an independent government body.

The Australian has found a sudden concern for the integrity of the AAT, given it is set to have the power to sign off on warrants for anti-corruption investigators to tap the phones of pretty well any current or former public official up to and including the prime minister.The powers are found in proposed legislation for the government's new national anti-corruption commission.

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David Hardaker

Investigations Editor @d_hardaker

David Hardaker has an extensive career as a journalist and broadcaster, primarily at the ABC where he worked on flagship programs such as Four Corners, 7.30, Foreign Correspondent, AM and PM. He spent eight years reporting in the Middle East and can speak Arabic.

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The Australian forgets that it was Liberals stacked AAT - Crikey

A federal Resolve poll for Nine newspapers, conducted October 5-9 from a sample of 1,604, gave Labor 39% of the primary vote (steady since September), the Coalition 30% (down two), the Greens 12% (up two), One Nation 5% (down one), the UAP 3% (up one), independents 9% (up one) and others 2% (down one).

Resolve does not give a two party estimate until close to elections, but using 2022 election preference flows gives Labor a 59-41 lead, a two-point gain for Labor since the September poll.

On Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, 60% thought he was doing a good job and 24% a poor job, for a net approval of +36, unchanged since September. Opposition Leader Peter Duttons net approval was -10, up two points. Albanese led Dutton by 53-18 as preferred PM (53-19 in September).

Labor led the Liberals by 36-30 on economic management (33-30 in September). On keeping the cost of living low, Labor led by 30-20 (31-23 previously).

The polling now is not predictive of the next election that is due by 2025, but for the moment Labors honeymoon is continuing.

Respondents were told that the federal budget was in deficit, and that this is needed to maintain current levels of spending, but means the national debt is increasing. 37% thought we should reduce spending to end deficits earlier, 14% increase taxes and 28% live with the debt and deficit levels.

Asked to select the top priority for spending reduction, 33% chose defence, 14% the NDIS, 11% the health system and 4% aged care.

By 38-20, voters supported delivering on the stage 3 tax cuts in 2024, which would mean everyone earning between $45,000 and $120,000 per year would pay a single 30% income tax rate. This does not mention high-income earners would benefit most, and so is a skewed question.

By 34-13, voters supported repealing stage three if the government were to increase tax revenue. But increasing the corporate tax rate (61-10 support) and an increased tax on resource companies profits (56-9 support) were far more popular.

I previously covered polling of both the Indigenous Voice to parliament and the republic in the last Resolve poll. The Voice led by 64-36, while the republic trailed by 54-46.

In last weeks Essential poll, conducted in the days before October 4 from a sample of 1,050, 43% thought Australia was not doing enough to address climate change (down four since May), 32% thought we were doing enough (steady), and 13% doing too much (up two). The Coalition was still in government at the May poll.

By 63-21, respondents said they had not been personally affected by the recent Optus data breach. 53% said they were very concerned about scammers being able to steal their identities to access their bank accounts.

By 51-29, respondents supported stronger restrictions on the amount of personal infromation companies can collect, and by 46-27 they supported more restrictions on governments collecting personal information.

Respondents were pessimistic about the future of humanity, with more undecided at longer time intervals. Asked whether life would be better or worse for humanity in ten years, worse led by 42-33. At 100 years, worse led by 39-28. At 1,000 years, worse led by 36-22. At 10,000 years, worse led by 35-20.

Dynata conducted a survey for the left-wing Australia Institute in early September from a sample of 1,409. By 41-22, respondents supported Labor repealing the stage three income tax cuts. 46% said high-income earners would benefit most from these cuts, 18% middle-income earners and just 8% low-income earners.

Respondents were read a brief statement about the stage three tax cuts, and asked which was more important: keeping election promises regardless of changes in economic circumstances, or adapting economic policy to suit changing circumstances even if that means breaking an election promise. By 61-27, respondents supported the latter proposition.

A new poll for The Australia Institute, conducted October 4-7 from a sample of 1,003, had support for scrapping the stage three tax cuts up seven from September to 48%, with opposition unchanged at 22%.

In last weeks Morgan poll, Labor led by 55-45 from polling conducted September 26 to October 2. This was a 0.5-point gain for Labor since the previous week, and Labors best result in this poll since the election.

Federal Liberal vice-president Teena McQueen recently told the Australian Conservative Political Action Conference that: The good thing about the last federal election is a lot of those lefties are gone. We should rejoice in that.

Read more: View from The Hill: Without those 'lefties' the Liberals can't regain government

At the May federal election, the seats held by more moderate Liberals in inner metro regions were lost to teal independents. It will be difficult for the Coalition to regain these seats as independents, once established in a seat, are usually re-elected easily.

However, as I said in my article on the final results of the election, the Coalitions best chance to regain government in 2025 is if economic conditions are lousy, and they can win outer metro seats from Labor.

The next election probably depends on the outer metro, not the inner metro. The Coalition can do without its inner city moderates if it wins the rest of Australia by a large enough margin.

There may be a long-term electoral problem for the Coalition: Australias population is far more concentrated in cities than either the United States or the United Kingdom. I argued before the election that this urban concentration helps Labor, and the election results validated this argument.

Read more: Will a continuing education divide eventually favour Labor electorally due to our big cities?

I covered the October 2 first round of the Brazilian presidential election for The Poll Bludger. The leftist Luiz Incio Lula da Silva (called Lula), who was president from 2003 to 2010, led the far-right inucmbent Jair Bolsonaro by a 48.4-43.2 margin. But as nobody won over 50%, it goes to an October 30 runoff between Lula and Bolsonaro. Pre-election polls understated Bolsonaros support.

I wrote about the November 8 US midterm elections on September 30, at which Democratic gains have recently stalled. Meanwhile, UK Labour has seized a huge poll lead after a horror budget was delivered by the Conservatives on September 23.

Read more: US Democrats' gains stall six weeks before midterm elections; UK Labour seizes huge lead after budget

Dire polling has continued for the Conservatives: in eight UK national polls taken since October 5, Labour has led by 21 to 32 points.

Link:
Federal Labor's honeymoon continues in Resolve poll; can the Liberals regain office without those 'lefties'? - The Conversation

"Real Time" host Bill Maher urged liberals to not "hate" the Republicans who, despite political differences, accepted President Biden's election victory.

During a panel discussion Friday night, Maher decried polling that shows a growing number of Americans, particularly young Americans, believe a civil war and political violence is acceptable and that some on both sides of the aisle believe it's "time to split" the country by party.

"I just want to know what this looks like how does that work?" Maher asked. "Is there gonna to be a line of cars from Arizona going into California? And the 4 million Trump voters that we have in California are going to be driving into Arizona? What does that mean, time to split?"

Former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie responded by saying he doesn't "buy" the seriousness of the polling, dismissing it as expressed "anger" by Americans.

BILL MAHER SUGGESTS BIDEN BUMP KAMALA HARRIS FROM DEM TICKET IN 2024: I JUST THINK SHES A BAD POLITICIAN'

Christie pointed to the aftermath of the January 6 riot where lawmakers "did their jobs" and proceeded to certify Biden's electoral count, which he stressed Biden "had" won the election, proving the strength of U.S. democracy, "not the other way around."

Former Governor of New Jersey Chris Christie speaks onstage during the 2019 Concordia Annual Summit at Grand Hyatt New York on Sept. 23, 2019 in New York City. (Photo by Riccardo Savi/Getty Images for Concordia Summit) (Riccardo Savi/Getty Images for Concordia Summit)

"You're in the minority of your party at least of the people who are running," Maher told the former governor. "Two hundred ninety-nine of the Republicans who are running [in the midterms] a majority they don't think the election was fair and Biden actually lost."

"We'll see how they do," Christie replied. "In the end, you gotta get out there and fight that."

BILL MAHER DEFENDS BIDEN FROM COMPLAINTS OF HIS AGE FOLLOWING WHERES JACKIE?' GAFFE

The HBO star then explained what he calls the "As Good As It Gets" Republicans, something he swore was a compliment to politicians like Christie.

"The people who just are adamant about how they won't even talk to Republicans," Maher said. "You want something that's not gonna be. Republicans see the world differently. It's OK. We have to have that. But this is as good as its gets Liz Cheney, Mitt Romney, Kinzinger but even Bill Barr, and Pence, they both and Mitch McConnell have all said this was a legitimate election. That's as good as it gets, liberals, for Republicans. Deal with that! Don't hate those people."

"Real Time" host Bill Maher referred to politicians like Mike Pence, Mitch Mitch McConnell and Bill Barr as "As Good As It Gets" Republicans who accepted President Biden's election victory in 2020. (HBO/Getty Images)

During his closing monologue, Maher lambasted political "bubbles" forming across the country.

"I've gotta say, more than anything, this is what is wrong with this country. Our real division isn't between red and blue, it's between the people on both sides who aren't willing to mingle with Americans outside their political tribe so they have no idea what they're really like," Maher told his audience. "I asked a friend of mine recently if he wanted to come to a little party I was having and when he found out one of the guests had voted for Trump, he told me he wasn't coming because, I wouldnt breathe the same air.' OK, there's a word for people like this: a------s."

BILL MAHER TORN ON BIDEN'S ANTI-MAGA SPEECH: I LIKE THAT HE GAVE IT, BUT THE WAY HE DID IT? NOT GOOD

"When we confine ourselves to bubbles, alternative points of view become not just objectionable, they're unfavorable," Maher said while railing against GOP Arizona Secretary of State candidate Mark Finchem, who alleged Biden didn't win his state because he personally never met a Biden voter. "Mark, have you ever been to a Whole Foods? Or talk to a woman under 50?"

"Real Time" host Bill Maher closed his show on Friday by railing against political "bubbles" that have formed across the country. (HBO) (HBO)

Maher slammed the idea of Americans choosing not to move to other parts of the country because they "wouldn't feel welcomed."

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"Would anyone ride the New York City subway wearing a MAGA hat?" Maher wondered. "Would anyone go to a NASCAR race in a Biden T-shirt while they chant, F--- Joe Biden?' That's where we are now where other parts of the country are seen as scary, no-go zones. America is like a prison now where the inmates think they need to join one of the gangs to survive and we dare not to walk on the wrong side of the yard."

Joseph A. Wulfsohn is a media reporter for Fox News Digital. Story tips can be sent to joseph.wulfsohn@fox.com and on Twitter: @JosephWulfsohn.

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Bill Maher: Liberals shouldn't 'hate' Pence, McConnell, Barr since they accepted Biden's election victory - Fox News