Bureau-Blouin called a traitor over tuition hikes

Posted By: Canadian Press · 2/27/2013 5:29:00 PM

A former leader within Quebec's student movement is taking flak from some of his old allies now that he's an elected politician and tuition fees are going up.

Leo Bureau-Blouin, who was elected at age 19 last fall under the Parti Quebecois banner, says he's gotten threats and attacks on a Facebook page he uses to publicize a monthly meeting with constituents.

Some of the posters on the page called him a "loser" and "traitor."

Premier Pauline Marois announced at the end of a summit on education on Tuesday that the government was rejecting calls for a tuition freeze. Instead, fees are being hiked three per cent in accordance with the cost of living.

That's about $70 per year.

Angry students, who have been fighting tuition increases for a year, took to the streets and ended up clashing with police.

More than a dozen people were arrested. Students say they plan to resume demonstrations next week.

Many vented their ire on the Facebook page, criticizing the man who was once one of the most recognizable faces of their movement.

Camille Robert, one of the spokespeople for the more militant ASSE student group, asked if Bureau-Blouin could help pay for the tuition increases.

"Would it be possible to find out if your salary as an MNA could help us pay for the increase?" she asked the 20-year-old member of Quebec's national assembly.

Other members of her group, including spokesman Jeremie Bedard-Wien, said they planned to attend the event for constituents.

Poster Samuel Cote says he won't miss the chance to see Bureau-Blouin.

"This time, I'm going to have a pocketful of red squares," he said, citing the symbol of the student movement which were worn by members of the PQ caucus until just before last year's provincial election.

Cote finished his post with a blunt "RESIGN!"

There were a number of supportive messages, too: "You're doing exactly what you said you'd do Leo and you have all my respect! Politics isn't easy, stay strong!"

Other posters left sarcastic messages.

"Increases over five years with the Liberals (equals) increases over 15 years with the Pequistes," wrote Pedro LeChasseur. "COOOOL."

Added Eric Robertson: "Thanks for the increase, Leo."

Bureau-Blouin says he will go ahead with the meeting but called for respect.

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  • 13
  1. Theo posted on 02/27/2013 06:03 PM
    Tuition increase of 19 cents a day - what an outrage.
    1. RUDOLPH S posted on 02/28/2013 11:21 AM
      @Theo 18 cents a day...and an 18 Year old MP who has not contributed sh..... to society speak for itself...Mon cher Leo, matante Pauline loves you.... but you did not get kisses ehh
  2. Drew posted on 02/27/2013 07:15 PM
    Well you can see where he wanted to go on the backs of the students.
    Definition of an opportunist : Leo Bureau-Blouin
    1. Rudolph S posted on 02/28/2013 02:59 PM
      @Drew serves him right and the people who voted for an 18 year old kid to represent them in the political arena. The Guy has hardly an education, has never contributed anything to society and now wants to play big shot
      not exactly a showpiece for the Marois gang
  3. murray posted on 02/27/2013 09:03 PM
    If he had any principles he would quit the PQ and sit as an independent BUT that would mean a decrease in salary.
    1. LMAO posted on 02/28/2013 06:26 AM
      @murray Principles and Politicians? Now there is an oxymoron.
  4. JohnH- posted on 02/28/2013 12:17 AM
    This is a good example to all the boys and girls to stay off the streets and stay in school. If you want to play in the big game you better have an education and some life experience. Other wise you will become someone's pet. It's very difficult to run on your morals when your pants are around your knees. I wonder if Pauline took her pet to Florida so they could pretend that, Mommy Knows Best. There, there my little pet, Mommy will make it all better.
  5. Jonathan posted on 02/28/2013 08:54 AM
    Wait so let me get this straight? The students who put the PQ in power, who's ultimate goal is to have Quebec separate, are going on the streets protesting because they feel the rest of Canada isn't paying enough of their education?!?!?

    I was a student not too long ago and I had respect for them at one point, fighting for something they believe in. But get real, inflation exists and the cost of everything goes up. If they can't manage to save a couple dimes a day then they have much bigger problems than their tuition fees.
  6. JL posted on 02/28/2013 11:25 AM
    THe students originally protested because of the amount the tuition fees were rising. Now that the fees are rising at a rate significantly less than orginally planned, they're still complaining. I don't get it...
  7. Drew posted on 02/28/2013 01:07 PM
    It was the PQ Government who froze tuition fees many moons ago. Now they see a cow that they can milk. They will increase the fees and reduce the funding to the Universities and the money they save goes where? Government is to be transparent this Government is not just like the rest of them no accountability to the people.
    In the valley of the blind the man with the one eye is King and definitely we are not the King.
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