The giant Caisse de dépôt et placement du Quebec, like all
major investment funds, is having to deal with the global economic crisis. But
the Caisse is more than a fund. It’s Quebeckers’ “bas de laine” (reference to
keeping your savings in a wool sock). And any threat to it is a threat to
Quebeckers’ sense of identity and confidence in their future.
So it’s no surprise that Quebec Liberal Leader Jean Charest’s opposition is hoping to make this an election issue.
Pauline Marois of the Parti Quebecois has found the narrative to play it up in last night’s leaders’ debate. Referring to revelations in The Globe and Mail that the Caisse de dépôt et placement sold off $10-billion in shares during the market meltdown just to meet obligations, Ms. Marois asked: "Mr. Charest, how is it people from Toronto have more information than people in Quebec?"
The nest egg is being threatened and Toronto is somehow involved…
An explosive issue that’s game changing two weeks before the vote? I think not.
Comments