Beware the ‘inevitable’

In her parting words to Quebecers, politically humiliated former Premier Pauline Marois reminded us of that shining moment when she arose from her personal Eden to quick-march us to the New Jerusalem.

“Almost seven years ago, I left my garden after a brief retirement because I still yearned to serve Quebecers,” Marois said last week. “Since then, much has happened, and it wasn’t always easy. But I regret nothing and I have the feeling my duty has been fulfilled.”

Other seasoned politicians who had just led their party off the electoral cliff, as Marois did, might be inclined to admit to, oh, twinges of at least minor remorse. But no. Never mind descending from the cusp of majority government to near third-party status with the elegance of a 100-car freight train launching itself over Niagara Falls. As if channeling Edith Piaf escaping overhead in a balloon, Marois pronounces: “je ne regrette rien.”