Parti Qubcois plans to crash Canada's 150th birthday party, politely

The Parti Qubcois is promising not to spoil Canada's 150thbirthday party, but it also won't sit quietly by and let its federalist rivals have all the fun.

Jean-Franois Lise, the sovereigntistparty leader, announced last week the PQ will hold a series of parallel events to counter some of the flag-waving that will accompany the official celebrations.

"We want to give balance to the discussion,"Lisesaid as he unveileda campaign dubbedL'Autre150e, or The Other 150.

"We don't want to do it in a negative, victim-oriented way, but to say, 'listen there are some very interesting facts in the Quebec experiment within Canada that may be left behind in the official story.'"

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The PQ campaign aims to hold 150 events, centred around such themes as "Confederation of 1867 ... the worm in the apple" and "150 years of Quebec-bashing." Marie Imalta Pierre-Lys, a chemist, and a rapper known as Rod le Stodwill serve as campaign spokespeople.

"We will bringa little spice to the Canadian salad they want to serve us this year," Lisesaid.

Excited for Canada 150? Meh, says Quebec

The federal government's plansfor Canada 150 include amping up celebrations aroundNational Flag of Canada Day (Feb. 15),National Aboriginal Day (June 21) andCanadian Multiculturalism Day (June 27).

In all, according to an estimate by the Globe and Mail, the Liberal government has allotted close to $500 million for Canada 150 events.

Even though Ottawa is also planning to help Quebecers celebrateFte Nationale (June 24), few so far have expressed much interest in their country's birthday celebrations.

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A poll conducted this summer by market research firm Lgerfound only 55 per cent of Quebecers agreed, or strongly agreed, with the statement "I am looking forward to celebrations of Canada 150."

The next lowest was British Columbia and the Atlantic provinces, where Lgerfound 77 per centof respondents backed the statement.

Ontarians appeared to bethe most enthusiastic about the celebrations; 84 per cent said they were looking forward to getting their party on.

Party and politics

Quebec's collective shrug at Canada 150 may suggest a certain wariness at the tendency for politics to break out at every good party in the province.

WhenPaulMcCartneywas invited to play a free concert during Quebec City's400thbirthday celebrations in 2008 there was outcry that this "international Anglo-Saxon idol" should trespass on the Plains of Abraham.

PQMNAstabled a letter in the National Assembly that argued the ex-Beatle's concert would "bringbackpainful memories of our Conquest."

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At a Fte Nationaleevent in Quebec City this year, Prime Minister Justin Trudeauwas met with a chorus of boos when he spoke English briefly during a speech.

The crowd was later chastisedfor its reaction by Premier Philippe Couillard, who called on people "to be open and tolerant."

Montrealersalso find themselves in the midst of their own expensive birthday celebrations, as the city rolls out a series of multi-million dollar projects to mark 375years of existence.

Montreal's anniversary happens to fall on a municipal election year and the opposition at city hall isalready raising the spectre of a boondoggle, given that several marquee projects are behind schedule.

For Lise, though, bringing a dose of Quebecpolitics to the Canada 150 party isn't a bad thing. It may actually liven the celebrations.

"The good news is that if you thought it would be boring, the 150th birthday of Canada, think again," he said Friday.

"It's going to be interesting!"

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