Mr. Speaker, behind the scenes at last weekend's convention of the Liberal Party of Canada, the Prime Minister took another dig at Quebec, adding to his already extensive track record in that regard.
This man, who is only too quick to dump on Quebec, has overstepped the limits with his comments about the sovereignist movement, a movement espoused by almost half of Quebecers.
“Let the sleeping dog lie”, he was urged, in an attempt to discourage him from introducing his clarity bill. Thinking it was safe to speak, the Prime Minister came back with “The dog is not sleeping, it is ailing”.
In The Golden Dog , 19th century English writer William Kirby wrote, and I quote:
I am a dog that gnaws his bone, I couch and gnaw it all alone. A time will come, which is not yet, When I'll bite him by whom I'm bit.
With all his canine reflections, the Prime Minister would do well to study this verse, for there is no doubt that Quebecers are impatiently awaiting the opportunity to let him know for the third time that, in politics, scorn and arrogance are a sure way to lose votes.