Mario! Mario! Mario!

I've always been a fan of Mario Dumont, from the time he walked out of the Liberal party. Young and photogenic, he was so serious that it was cute. Now he has grown into the role and is a serious contender for power in Quebec.

If Dumont was the unofficial winner in the Quebec election, Justin Trudeau was the unofficial loser. With three parties in the Quebec National Assembly rejecting the Trudeau vision of Canada and Quebec's place in the nation, it's obvious whatever plans Trudeau has for a political career have had a serious set-back. At least in his home province, unless he wants to run as a Westmount Rhodesian in western Montreal.

Prime Minister Harper is also a big winner in the Quebec election. Dumont embraces the original Reform version of federalism more than any other. With 41 Quebec provincial riding's now natural allies of the Conservative party, and with polls putting the Liberals third in Quebec federally, the Conservatives stand to benefit. If Dumont is the new Bourassa, Harper could be the new Mulroney.

With the Liberal party's dismal showing in French Quebec in the last election and with the Liberal slowness in lining up federal candidates in Quebec, things are looking good for Harper. Les bleus could sweep Harper to a majority.

What is most refreshing about Dumont is his view on equalization. Dumont recently stated that instead of complaining about how much Quebec receives in equalization, he wants to see Quebec in a position where the province doesn't need equalization. A refreshing change from Whiny Williams from Newfoundland.

It would be easy for Quebec to move out of the equalization ghetto. By taxing consumption instead of work, Quebec could quickly modernize itself. Charging people market rates for electricity from Quebec Hydro would quickly balance the budget. Raising the HST back up to 15 per cent and keeping what the federal government gives up the next time the GST is lowered would also be a good plan.

Backed by his mentor Lucien Bouchard who has also called for the modernization of Quebec, Dumont could transform the province. Cuts in taxes on income and business would off-set the other increases and Quebec would be booming.
If Dumont can skillfully manage his inexperienced caucus and manage some small victories with Harper's help, he could be premier in less than two years.