But for beleaguered Grits, there’s good news, too — and it’s big, big news. On Tuesday morning, the best-known Liberal in Quebec, Denis Coderre, pulled off a massive coup: He helped lure a Quebec NDP MP to cross to the Liberals. St. Maurice MP Lise St. Denis abandoned Team Orange to join Team Rouge — and it is a huge blow to the NDP, whose popularity has been slipping in Quebec.
For years, St. Denis’ riding belonged to Jean Chretien.

The 71-year-old parliamentarian said she left the Dippers because she was unhappy with their approaches to defence policy, public-private partnerships and the Senate.

For Bob Rae, the news couldn’t have come at a better time. And for Coderre, it solidifies his position as the federalist King of Quebec. “In Quebec, Coderre’s an organizational master,” former MP Paul Zed marveled.
“And he never gives up. He’s again shown why Conservatives fear him in Quebec.”

So, as Grits gather, the good news outweighs the bad for the once-mighty Liberal Party. For them, 2012 is already looking better than 2011.

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I’m very, very sad to her go.  She was a Blue, and I was a Red, but she was always good to me.  

A great Canadian, and one who will be dearly missed.

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The NDP’s epically-dumb response presser now done, here’s what they should’ve said instead:

• We very much regret that [BLANK] chose to cross the floor.
• We’re sorry to see him/her go.  But we wish them the very best.
• [If pressed on the need for a by-election]  It is true that [BLANK] was elected under the banner of our party.  We believe he/she should ratify his/her decision with the voters of [BLANK].  Under our system of government, however, there is no legal requirement that he/she do so.
• So, those of us elected as [BLANK] Members of Parliament will continue to work hard for the people who elected us.  And, again, we wish [BLANK] well in his/her future endeavours.
• Thank you.

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And for Denis Coderre, this is a huge win: it solidifies his position as the most effective MP from Quebec.

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This is a real drag. Hope they can come back.

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…like Vivian does!

From her North Van digs, the ex-Conservative political aide attacks environmental groups about their funding and defends Big Oil. So let’s return the favour: let’s go after her for her funding!

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Denis Coderre delivers!

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You remember.  It was heated.  It was harsh.  It was hot.

Now, Warren returns to the Sun News set.  Watch what happens.  It’s shocking.

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Man, this guy is on fire, these days.  Well worth a read:

It’s a monumentally bad idea, maybe the Tories’ worst. There are plenty of other problems facing the Tories. They don’t need to create a new disaster for themselves, or for the country.

Comments (46)

Jimmy Page is 68 years old today!

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