The Quiet Illusion
David May
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Joanne Marcotte and husband Denis Julien, co-authors and co-producers of The Quiet Illusion
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Director Joanne Marcotte's The Quiet Illusion takes aim at the Quebec model
Living in Ottawa, I'm sure you've at least once been in a conversation with someone who has championed the social democratic utopia that sits on the other side of the river. The land alive with culture - greatly supported by the provincial government - enjoys such benefits as universal daycare, incredibly low tuition lees and a strong civil service and unions, often leaving many Canadians feeling a bit jealous of La Belle Province. However, envy of Quebec and its social democratic model is the last thing anyone should feel, says Joanne Marcotte. It's all an illusion.
Back in 2003, as the newly elected Liberal government reneged on promises and cut public services and social programs (leading to a battle with the powerful Quebec unions), Marcotte was fuming at the dysfunctional society she saw. Fuelled by anger, she set out with her husband, Denis Julien, to investigate the state of the social democratic Quebec model. Her investigations led to the documentary L'Illusion Tranquille (The Quiet Illusion), and stirred great debate with its harsh criticism of the Quebec system.
"Although they say [the Quebec model] is a model based on social justice, our model is the exact opposite," says Marcotte, who, with her husband, works in financial services.
Cobbling together the thoughts of a cast of economists, young Quebecers and Marcotte as narrator, The Quiet Illusion pleads for a shift to the right. Unified by their desire for a radical shift away from state- and union-centred social
accommodation, they argue social programs are unfairly benefitting the wealthy, burdening future generations with their cost. They would also argue that public debate about the situation has been stifled by the near sacrosanct authority of union elites, and Quebec nationalists, and their promotion of an unsustainable Quebec model."I'm sick of it. We simply replaced some dogmas with other dogmas," says Marcotte. "I hate good intentions. I want results."
Results are what Marcotte has received from her film. Although the documentary is thin on supporting evidence in its criticism and thick on rhetoric, Marcotte can certainly claim credit for furthering debate about where Quebec is headed.
The Quiet Illusion
@ Bronson Centre
Oct. 11, 7 p.m.
$5
