Celine Dion would have great influence if she supported a party during a Quebec election. But would she?
So far, our biggest star has avoided compromising himself. Here, like in the United States. She strongly protested the use of her song My Heart Will Go On at a Donald Trump rally.
Unlike in Quebec, American stars are involved in all presidential elections and their support is actively sought. Both on the side of Kamala Harris and on the side of Donald Trump, we went out of our way to win the support of Taylor Swift.
Not only the greatest of all ended up joining Kamala’s camp, but she was preceded or followed by a hundred other artists. Naming them all would take up space in this column. Among the most famous, there are Bruce Springsteen, Harrison Ford, Jennifer Lopez, Beyoncé, Cher, Lady Gaga, Katy Perry, etc. The list of artists favoring Trump isn’t that much shorter, but it’s lacking some big names. Unless you consider Hulk Hogan and Dana White entertainers!
In Canada it’s different
Canadian candidates for the highest political office have never really sought celebrity endorsement. With good reason, because most are even hesitant to participate in Canada Day. The organizers know something about this. It is the cross and the banner for booker featured artists at this event, and they cost a lot!
In Quebec, where, all things considered, our star system is as important as in the United States, there are never many stars who get wet at election time. They prefer to demonstrate occasionally or make resounding declarations which are often short-lived.
Nevertheless, the role of artists was crucial during the election of the first Parti Québécois government in 1976. Without the support of our showbiz, René Lévesque would never have been so proud to be Quebecois!
A historic Saint-Jean
After almost half a century, hundreds of thousands of Quebecers still get excited when they hear Renée Claude sing It’s the beginning of a new time by Stéphane Venne or when they remember the Saint-Jean-Baptiste Day spectacle on Mount Royal. More than 300,000 people invaded the mountain to see Gilles Vigneault, Robert Charlebois, Claude Léveillée, Yvon Deschamps and Jean-Pierre Ferland light the patriotic flame. Alas! The flame was not lasting enough to ensure the “yes” victory in the 1980 referendum.
In recent history, the only other time artists influenced the outcome of an election was in 2012. Taking advantage of its majority, the Harper government slashed 10% from the budget of -, Telefilm and the NFB, 8.2% in that of the National Library and Archives and 7.4% in the budget of Canadian Heritage. The ministry had to cancel almost all theater and concert tours abroad.
The outcry was general. Among both English-speaking and French-speaking artists. Their anger had shaken public opinion enough for Stephen Harper’s government to find itself in the minority… Without Céline Dion getting involved!
