At the end of the year, I wanted to take a look at some of the big events that made the news. I focused on those who will have an impact on 2024, which is on us.
Strikes
Quebec has not seen a similar strike movement in the public sector in 40 years. This fall will be a crucial union remobilization for the future. Public sector employees started the movement backed by strong public support.
But this strike will also shock a part of the population. After years of the pandemic, many parents can't believe another school year has been wasted. It seems that the entire process of negotiation and confrontation in the public sector was a big mistake. It is a process that many would be willing to rethink.
The war between Israel and Hamas
France Press agency
This region of the world is a powder keg. However, the barbaric attack launched by Hamas on October 7 led to something monumental. First, a ruthless response by Israel, which will leave its mark, leaving little hope for a long-term settlement.
At home, this war has revealed troubling tensions between communities. Above all, it unleashed unexpected anti-Jewish racism. On campuses in Canada and the United States, we have seen the extent to which the woke movement, supposedly a model of inclusivity, has been overtaken by questionable racist forces.
I remember what the president of Harvard University responded to regarding the unacceptable nature of the call to exterminate the Jews at her university. “It all depends on the context.”
The rise of Pierre Poilievre
Archive photo, QMI Agency
The victory that allowed Pierre Poilievre to take the reins of the Conservative Party was massive. However, it was an internal race between conservatives. At the beginning of 2023, many wondered whether this leader with certain extreme accents could reach a wider electorate.
At the end of the year, his party had an outrageous takeover of the Liberal Party. It is clear that he himself dominates Justin Trudeau. He is in a position to become a majority prime minister. Can he force elections as early as 2024?
Third link
Archival illustration provided by the city
Based on one statistic, the government announced in April that it was reneging on one of its most discussed electoral commitments. A promise from 2018, repeated even more forcefully in the 2022 campaign.
CAQ lost its credibility, then lost Jean Talon, and then came back with the third episode in a cynical way. There were blunders as well, and the end result was that this government ended the year very weak.
Will François Legault be able to get the boat back on its feet in 2024? Or will he witness the demobilization of his forces and the departure of important players?
Alouette victory
QMI Photography Agency, Joel Lemay
We will say what we want, sports bring people together. With decades of mediocrity for the Canadiens, Quebec forgot about the Stanley Cup. The Alouettes started the season without their owners, in a state of absolute uncertainty. New management, a few acquisitions, great team spirit and underdogs brought home the Gray Cup.
Marc-Antoine Decoy put the icing on the cake with an unforgettable national revolution. The team begins a new relationship with the fans.
