Leader influence on Quebec elections and the Dennis Tourbin controversy

Elections and Dennis Tourbin Controversy

The following paper is mainly related to elections. It has three parts. In the first part, the paper discusses the effect of leaders on the results of an election. It also discusses the results of Quebec elections 2014 and the effect of leaders on it. The second part of the paper focuses on the Dennis Tourbin controversy and the reasons behind the cancellation of the exhibit it was going to be a part of. The last part of the paper discusses whether the cancellation of the exhibit was against Tourbin's rights or not. It also discusses the impact of the exhibit at Ottawa art gallery on the Quebec referendum.

Impact of Leaders on Election Results

Nowadays, the leaders have a great impact on the performance of the political parties in the elections. The leaders appearing in election advertisements on the television and in different campaign events have an influence on the people. They create this influence with the power of their speech and as a result, people follow and eventually vote their favorites. The impact of leaders was not that high in the beginning when the people used to think of the leaders as just figurative heads possessing the same or even less capabilities than other party members. (Bean & Mughan, 1989)

The trend, however, has changed recently and the people's focus has changed from the entire party to the leader. Sometimes parties and governments are not labeled by their respective names but with the name of the leader who the people saw during the election campaign. This trend is not without a reason, people are mostly interested and fascinated by the qualities of the leaders, and thus they start supporting them. (Bean & Mughan, 1989)

The parties are very careful about choosing their leaders. The reason behind this is the importance of the leader to the party and his impact on the election results. It is quite normal to see one of the best party members to become the leader. Having one of the best as the leaders influences the people as they look upon the leader profiles and therefore they are in a certain way, impressed by the party by the virtue of the leader. (Bean & Mughan, 1989)

Sometimes, the party leader impresses the people so much that the other candidates benefit from it. The populace is generally so impressed by the leader that they vote for other candidates of the party as well. This is called the coattail effect. This is effect is normally seen during elections and thus it proves the influence of good leadership on people.

The effect the leaders create on the people eventually reflects in the election results. The parties with popular leaders experience a healthy inflow of votes. This may not be the case all the time but the leader does coax votes from himself and other party candidates. (FOURNIER & CUTLER et al., 2013)

Dennis Tourbin Controversy

Dennis Tourbin was an artist who became famous with his painting on the subject of October crisis. Tourbin was interested in this topic and therefore, he made a series of ink drawings and collages related to the topic. The series was named La crise d'octobre. The artist was famous for his poems and dedications to other artists but these drawings were to give him a new level of fame. (Gessell, 2012)

In 1994, Tourbin along with the Ottawa art gallery decided to exhibit the series of paintings. The exhibition was to be held in mid-September to October in the year 1995. It overlapped the date of the October crisis itself and was to serve as the 25th anniversary of the event. In addition, a play was also scheduled with the art exhibition in order to reenact the event. (Gessell, 2012)

When the national gallery of Canada expressed the desire of collaboration with the art community, Tourbin talked to its representative in order to ensure the collaboration between OAG and NGC. It was decided that the National Gallery of Canada will collaborate with the Ottawa Art Gallery and exhibit the La crise d'octobre along with four new paintings. This was the deal between the National Gallery of Canada. (Mclennan, 2014)

Meanwhile, the Ottawa Art Gallery continued its exhibition and Tourbin was interviewed by a reporter. In his interview, Tourbin revealed about his upcoming exhibition in the National Gallery of Canada. The story was given a twist and the reporter related it with the upcoming Quebec referendum. Following this, the National Gallery of Canada cancelled the exhibition and passed some offensive remarks on the artist, which were caught on the recording machine. (Mclennan, 2014)

The National Gallery of Canada cancelled the exhibit because of the political reasons. Although the reasons were never clearly mentioned in any of the interviews following the cancellation, but still it was obvious that there was pressure on the national gallery of art. The matter of October crisis was already critical and the Quebec referendum of sovereignty was to follow. Therefore, the NGC would have thought about the political situation before starting the exhibition. (Rynor, 2014)

In addition, there was a widespread commotion about the exhibition and the political conditions at that time. Keeping that in view, the National Gallery of Canada would have thought about changing its decision related to the exhibition. The material may have resulted in an incendiary reaction from the people and political leaders as well. Keeping that in mind, one can easily justify the decision made by the National Gallery of Canada. (Rynor, 2014)

On the other hand, the drawings were currently being shown in the Ottawa Art Gallery and the people already had the news of the drawings. Therefore, the cancellation of the exhibition was not necessary as the drawings had already influenced the people. Therefore, the National Gallery of Canada had more than the reaction of the people worry about as this was a political issue and was very critical with the referendum approaching. So, the National Gallery of Canada did feel that the public may not perceive the real nature of the drawings and may give incendiary reactions but there were other pressures acting on them as well. (Scappatura, 2012)

The October crisis was about the abduction of Pierre Laporte. The issue attracted the attention of Tourbin and he started his work on the topic. No matter how clear the work is, there is always a chance of misinterpretation. Therefore, the people of Canada would have misinterpreted the intentions of the artist. With a referendum coming about the separation of Quebec, a drawing made about the mistakes and acts of terrorism by a party supporting a sovereign Quebec could have put everyone in a doubt. (Robertson, 2006)

On the other hand, Tourbin was famous as an artist and not a conspirator or supporter of a political side. People used to love his work whether it was about politics or not. In addition, the work of an artist is seen as expression of thought. Therefore, the people would have seen it as an element of interest rather than an influential drawing. (Robertson, 2006)

To sum up, the drawing would have affected people's thinking even though it was not intended to. The reason behind this is the time of the exhibition. The referendum was closing in and the people had their minds fixed at that. In such a time, the exhibition could have triggered a decision people did not want to take. (Robertson, 2006)

On the contrary, if the exhibition had not been held, the people would have participated in the referendum without being affected by the work of the artist. The referendum result would have consisted wholly of the thoughts of the people. (Robertson, 2006)

Such exhibits have the power to change the way people perceive history. The exhibition cancelled by the National Gallery of Canada could have changed the thoughts of the people. First of all, the drawings in the exhibition consisted of the news and images of the abducted politician. The politician was kidnapped by the Front De liberation du Quebec which was the separatist party supporting the idea of an independent Quebec. The exhibition also consisted of a speech of Tourbin expressing his thoughts about the matter. If the exhibition had went on, it would have changed the historical facts in the minds of people in many ways. (Robertson, 2006)

Firstly, the people would have certainly developed a doubt for the thought of an independent Quebec. The October crisis, created by the terrorist activities of the sovereigntist party of Quebec, resulted in extra power given to the armed forces. This, in turn, led to numerous arrests without warrant and bail. A huge number of people were arrested and it only few were released without charges. Having being reminded about this, the people would have somehow refuse the idea of a sovereign Quebec. (Robertson, 2006)

In addition, the work of Tourbin in the exhibition also had the ability to change the history of expression of thoughts and news. The way he used collages with sentences changed the way people got the news of an event. This style, along with media exacerbation made the issue more critical. The political leadership organizing the referendum was also a separatist party and therefore the effect of the exhibition on the history would have been imperative. (Robertson, 2006)

The National Gallery of Canada exhibit was cancelled because of the political environment at the time and the risk of the people misinterpreting the drawings. The drawings portraying the October crisis were not intended to create a political turmoil but they contained a powerful message and therefore, it had the power of altering the thoughts of people about the way they had seen the events until now. (Robertson, 2006)

Cancellation of the Exhibition and the Charter of Rights

According to the Canadian charter of rights, an individual has the freedom of thinking whatever he wants and expressing it without being silenced. The charter also gives the people right to press. This means that the people can publish and read the published materials. The Supreme Court of Canada gives these rights to the people of Canada. Tourbin, being a Canadian resident, had all these rights. (Justice Laws Website, 1982)

When the National Gallery of Canada cancelled the exhibition, it was acting against the charter of rights as Tourbin had the right to express his feeling and people, on the other hand, had the right to know his ideas. Therefore, the National Gallery of Canada made a decision that was against the charter of rights. The NGC also faced a lot of criticism related to their decision by the artists all over Canada and Tourbin himself. In addition to that, NGC also backtracked on its contract that it made with Tourbin and therefore infringed the right of Tourbin once again. (Justice Laws Website, 1982)

There are rules limiting the expression of thoughts if they portray violence and other thoughts that go against other laws of the state. If a person is expressing thoughts that will incite other people, then he should be stopped. The drawings made by Tourbin, however, did not portray violence. They had a message that would have influenced the people but it did not promote violence nor did it instigate the people to break any laws. Therefore, the cancellation of the exhibition was a blatant act against the charter of rights. Moreover, the use of abusive words against the artist was also considered against the charter of rights. (Justice Laws Website, 1982)

Tourbin's Drawings and Canadian Unity

The drawings consisted of the details and events of the October crisis. It reminded the people of Canada about the sovereigntist political party that engaged in terrorist activities. This showed them the crimes committed by the party demanding independence. The kidnapping of two political personalities and the execution of one of them put the government in grave pressure and they had to call the military aid. (Robertson, 2006)

The events that followed were more disastrous as the people of Quebec were arrested without warrant and bail. This led to hundreds of people getting arrested whereas only few were released. The government also dissolved the FLQ making it responsible for committing the heinous crimes. The government let the troops in the city and this was a part of the headlines. Tourbin incorporated these headlines with drawings. (Robertson, 2006)

The drawings had the ability to instigate the people against the government as they were reminded about the injustice that government had done. Tourbin did not want to sabotage the Canadian unity by his drawings but the people were reminded that when they made an attempt at independence, the government sent in troops in order to maintain law and order. This notion may have disrupted the Canadian unity. (Robertson, 2006)

On the other hand, the actions of the government were triggered by the crimes of FLQ. Therefore, the people knew that the government was forced to act like this. To sum up, there were mixed reviews about the drawings and exhibitions. The paintings were not intended to disrupt the Canadian unity and therefore the result of the referendum went in favor of a united Canada. (Robertson, 2006)

Tourbin's Drawings and National Security of Canada

National security is using power to ensure that the state survives. The drawings made by Dennis Tourbin did not instigate violence in the people. The people perceived these drawings in two ways. The first one was in the favor of the government and against the separatists who engaged in terrorist activities to accomplish their goals. The second one was against the government, for sending in the troops who arrested normal people without warrant and bail. Both of these ideas were related to how people think of the decisions that were taken by the government. Therefore they were not at all related to instigating people.

As the drawings were not inducing acts of violence, they were not a threat to the national security. The artist merely wanted to express his thoughts on the October crisis. These thoughts would influence the people a lot but not in a way that would harm the security and safety of a nation. The exhibition of these drawings was neither a threat to the unity nor the security of Canada and that is why cancellation of the exhibition met criticisms.

Tourbin's Drawings and Quebec Sovereignty Referendum

The Quebec sovereignty referendum was held in order to determine whether the province gets independence or not. The party in favour of the separation was led by Jacques Parizeau. The main strategy for the supporters of separation was develop a passion of national solidarity in he residents of Quebec. They also emphasized that the current system was disadvantageous to Quebec and its residents. Moreover the separatists highlighted the benefits of a sovereign Quebec and promised many incentives to its residents once the government was set. Lastly, the people were also given confidence that the association with Canada will help in settling economic and political problems. (Smith, 2013)

The side against separation was led by Jean Chretien. As a part of their strategy, the federalists emphasized that a separation will lead to disruption and will create problems for Quebec. Secondly, the federalists offered constitutional flexibility and complained that the separatists want to be a sovereign state but they are confusing its meaning by continuing the association with Canada. (Smith, 2013)

The separatists made sufficient success in the beginning but eventually, the federalists won. The percentage of people voting for a separation was 49.42% whereas 50.58% of the population voted for joint Canada. The margin of victory was very tiny but the people of Quebec opted for a joint Canada. (Smith, 2013)

The drawings of Dennis Tourbin had very little effect on the referendum as the drawings and exhibitions focused on the October crisis and the way the government used the troops on the people. If the people would have been influenced by the exhibition, they would have voted for the separatists. The effect of these drawings was very little and so was the margin between the separatists' side and the federalists' side. (Smith, 2013)

Conclusion

To sum up, leaders have a healthy impact on the results of an election including the leaders of the political parties participating in the Quebec elections 2014. The negative and positive reputation of the leaders have led to their victory and loss in the Quebec elections 2014 respectively. Dennis Tourbin was an artist who made a phenomenal twist in the political environment when he introduced his work on the October crisis. The exhibition was cancelled because of the impending referendum and there was large-scale dissent on this decision. The NGC acted against the charter of rights and cancelled the exhibition. The effects of the Dennis' work was seen in different political aspects.