Roundup of Pathetic Promises & Pandering in Quebec Provincial Election

Election campaign season is upon us in Quebec

With the election campaign underway in Quebec, we're treated to collective amnesia to the fact that the province is running a serious deficit and a heavy debt load. While commitments to strategic investments that would spur the economy and combining it with cuts to government spending on needless projects (hockey arena giveaway!) would be welcomed, instead we're treated to shameless pandering and promises that taste similarly to sugary sweets: lacking in sustenance but very popular!

 So here's in no particular order, the sickening promises that make an electorate cynical.

Parti Québécois

They'll scrap the student tuition hike! They'll get more money from the mining industry! They'll created a Business Development Bank of Canada of Quebec to spur regional development. Star candidate Léo Bureau-Blouin will give 25% of his salary to the needy in his riding!

Strangely enough, they are the least shameless of the Big 3... so far. Needless to say, they're off to a bad start.

Liberal Party of Quebec

There is no shortage of promises you can make when you have no shame. Fortunately, Jean Charest doesn't know the meaning of the word. The Liberal Party of Quebec will create 250,000 jobs over the next 5 years. There will be Plan Nord jobs and Green Jobs!

Hey, you know who pledged to create 250,000 jobs? Wisconsin governor Scott Walker! How's that working for him? He's got 2 years to go in his mandate and he's got 228,049 to go! Keep at it, Scott!

Far-flung numbers not juicy enough for the electorate? Appeal to directly to their pocketbook! You want money? Jean Charest will cut you $100 cheque for back-to-school expenses!

Energy conservation tax credit? You bet! I love that, everyone that's not Stephen Harper loves that! There can be nothing wrong with that, right? Oh, Jean Charest promised that in 2008 and that lasted all of one year.

Even Jean Charest's promises seem tired and borrowed...

Coalition Avenir Quebec

François Legault knows how to make a splash!

• Middle class tax cut of $500 over 5 years? You got it.
• Health care user fees? Gone! That's $200 in your pocket.
• Everyone gets a family doctor after one year!
• Teachers get better salaries! Doctors get better salaries! Universities get increased funding! Medication costs lowered! Oprah will then drop by in the province and hand everyone a set of car keys.

Needless to say, this party is on the upswing!

And so, with millions of dollars being pledged, thousands of jobs have being promised and with possibilities and promises seeming endless: remember the mantra that voting for a smaller party that comprises your values is a wasted vote.

Because those small parties lack credibility...