"Based on true events that have yet to happen." "But will quite soon." "MY INTERNSHIP IN CANADA" "Independent MP Vote for the right GUY!" "Dazzling Dainties, Fine Lingerie" "For a girl or Steve Guibord?" "Mr. Guibord, the MP." "Upstairs." "Thank you." "It's the federal government's duty to study the matter, but also to consult voters on" "Guibord Scores, Canada Wins!" "My pleasure, Stephanie." "Perfect." "Let's discuss it later." "OK, bye." "It never stops." "My assistant's on maternity leave." "May I?" "Help yourself." "Thank you." "She wants my opinion on the pipeline." "The Yukon's 5,000 km from here!" "Canada's all about geography." " Absolutely!" "In size Canada is second only to Russia." "Jacques Cartier claimed it for France in 1534." "Others say Cabot discovered it for England in 1497." "Your textbooks skirt the issue, and the fact it was already inhabited." "OK, super." "Sovereign, right?" "That's right." "Know Canadian politics?" "There's Ottawa, the feds," "The riding has three main towns:" "Rapides-aux-Outardes, Prescott," "Chute-a-Philemon." "Canada has 309 ridings." "Steve Guibord represents Prescott- Makadewa-Rapides-aux-Outardes." "And the riding of Prescott-Makadewa-Rapides is" "Are you ready?" "three times the size of Haiti." "That's big!" "You said it." "Sovereign, are you eating properly?" "Yes, Mom." "It's simple." "Know your voters." "That's the key." "We'll go to Philemon to inaugurate the Gazebo of Friendship." "It sounds silly, but it matters to them." "They've waited 3 years for it." "Imagine." "In honor of it, we'll plant a nice tree." "Splendid!" "This is a problem." "Hello, Mr. Guibord." "Are you with us?" "Hello." "Thanks." "Sovereign Pascal, my assistant." "Evelyne." "So happy to see you." "Me too." "I wish I'd been warned about this." "Come talk." "More logging?" "Yup." "We protest, but they're still on our land." "The minister's drafting changes to the law." "Meanwhile they log and pollute our rivers." "What can I do?" " For starters, support us!" "I could if you weren't blocking Route 1 19." "Slow traffic, hand out leaflets, but don't block the only road north." "It's about safety." "What about our safety?" "We'll clear the 1 19, but my guys stay put." "Your guys?" " Hop on." "Nice day." "Nice day to meet the minister!" "Pressure tactics don't work on the minister." "How long you planning to stay?" "As long as it takes." "In 3 minutes, pretend to make a call." "You alright?" "Sovereign Pascal." "A pleasure." "Are you hungry?" "No thanks." "What a mess!" "You're stuck too?" "I'm hauling a load of gravel for your wife." "The union designated m-me as spokesman." "Great." "If we take the 170, it's an 18-hour detour." "Plus, it's illegal." "We lose our bonus." "We're waiting for instructions." "If we ram them, will you wait for instructions to arrest us?" "You gotta stop them." "They'll set up tepees all along the 1 19." "Wigwams, Rodrigue." "Tepees are 3,000 km west." "You're our MP." "Yet, you hurt our economy by encouraging them." "Do you support the roadblock?" "I'm stuck too." "Everyone's frustrated." "Even the Algonquins." "So you don't support them?" " That's not what I said." "They're mad, it's their ancestral lands." "I got them to let cars through." "We're negotiating on trucks." "My assistant is on the line with Aboriginal Affairs." "So you knew of the blockade?" "That's all for now." "Can we talk?" "Yes." "How'd you find out about this?" "We were going to Philemon for the gazebo." "So was I, so gimme a break." "Stephanie, not everything's a scoop." "Objective coverage is a viewer's right." "Cute." "You're not doing weather now." "I give you interviews, you don't hardball me." "OK." "What about us?" "What do we do?" "We wait, Rodrigue." "They demand to see the minister." "I'm on it." "You can't, Mr. Guibord." "The town's proud of its gazebo." "They'll be disappointed." "Sorry, Madame Mayor." "Everything's prepared." "I have wine, cheese, the local paper" "What do I say?" "My heart goes out to you." "But it's urgent I return to Rapides." "But you promised!" "Got your license?" " Yeah, yeah." "No worries, Mr. Guibord." "Mr. Guibord?" "Mrs. Gentilly would be thrilled to cut the ribbon." "Mrs. Gentilly can't cut the ribbon." "We have giant scissors, and she has Parkinson's." "You don't get it." "It's a powder keg." "I don't want to meet the minister." "I need him here to meet with people." "Sweetie, are you coming to Uncle Ray's for Christmas?" "It depends." "I plan to go to Denmark in January." "So it should be possible." "And college?" "I told you already." "I want to study there." "Study what?" "Design." "Who's paying?" " I'll work at your tree nursery." "You a gardener, now?" "What's on Monday?" "Lune wants to go to Denmark." "What's in Denmark?" "Peace at last!" "Sovereign?" "Don't know Denmark." "No, Monday." "Monday you have the Guerins' 50th wedding anniversary." "But also the Country Women's Circle spaghetti supper." "Won't work." "Sorry, Monday's out." "What's a spaghetti supper?" "Many boring Saturday nights." "Hold on." "Can I call you back?" "Great, thanks." "Mr. Mayor!" "So, we make national news, prime time!" "Wasn't my idea." "It'll end badly with the Indians." "I seek solutions." "Showing off at roadblocks?" "Forestry provides jobs, but you block it." "Forestry's provincial, not federal." "And common sense is neither!" "War's coming, and we're not on the same wavelength." "Well, we're agreed on that." "I'm always the bad guy." "You said you support the roadblock." "You don't listen to music?" " Rarely." "But I read poetry." "I'm not the minister." "What can I do?" "The truckers are right." " Roads are provincial!" "None of my shipments to Philemon arrived." "You'll be glad." "I got the 1 19 opened." "Bravo!" "Sit down." "Like pizza?" "Do Haitians eat Italian food?" "Pizza's Italian?" "I thought it was American." "We take the war in the Middle East seriously." "All Canadians support the values of tolerance and want to protect those who are victims of regimes of terror." "I'm asking Parliament for a clear mandate to deploy the army." "I am baptizing this historic vote" ""Canada for Freedom."" "All we needed." "He's right." "Our PM may seem limp and flabby, but he's a dangerous fascist." "Don't exaggerate." "You'll vote for war." "What?" "First I'll save Rapides, then the planet." "How'll you vote?" "I'll abstain." "Abstain?" "I haven't had time to think." "So for now, I'm undecided." "That sucks!" "For once I agree with Lune." "What do you think, Sovereign?" "Me?" "This is a real window for direct democracy." "You can consult voters." "Other MPs don't have that luxury." "They vote with the party." "Unlike you." "You're independent." "Window shopping?" "Don't have time." "Beer?" " Me." "Rousseau says the people are sovereign." "Rousseau?" "Rousseau  Son Garage?" "He won't get it." "Rousseau, the philosopher." "Oh yeah, him." "Since when do you drink?" "Guess." "Can you open it?" "C'mon, governing by opinion poll?" "I don't govern." "My vote won't change a thing." "I'll abstain." "Then vote No." "You'll have a clear conscience." "Vote for." "Vote against!" "Call it!" "Interference!" "The third time!" "Steve?" "Your alarm." "Fuck me!" "Fuck me!" "Damn lunatics!" "Didn't make a sound, gotta giv'em that!" "Don't plant it so close." "Pass it faster, harder." "You can do it!" "Other side!" "Mr. Guibord!" "Mr. Guibord!" "Mr. Guibord!" "Come!" "It couldn't wait?" "Should I come back?" "The Conservative MP for Peace Valley announced she'd abstain on the war vote, for personal reasons." "The PM hasn't responded." "So, they lost one vote." "Exactly!" " And?" "You have the balance of power on the war vote." "No, no, no, no" "No way." "No, no, no." "Can't be." "You're wrong, Sovereign." "Journalists told me." "You spoke to the press?" " They called." "Wait." "La Presse, the Globe and Mail, Prescott Bugle, CBC-TV" "What did they ask?" " How you'll vote." "What'd you say?" "That you're at the rink." "12 missed calls" "Calm down!" "Let me think." "Conservatives: 155 seats." "Opposition: 153, excluding me." "The Speaker cannot vote except in a tie." " It's the casting vote!" "Right." "Peace Valley's MP is abstaining 155 minus 2 makes 153, versus 153" "Which leaves" "The MP for Prescott-Makadewa-Rapides." "It'll all be fine." "We mustn't panic." "There are 309 MPs" "I'm just one of them." "You're the only one who's undeclared." "Yes, well" "I think, Stephanie, in this situation, with Peace Valley's abstinence I mean, abstention" "And she may decide to vote after all." "But are you for or against sending in the army?" "Well" "Window direct democracy this is a window for direct democracy." "What do you mean by that?" "I was elected to represent the riding." "It's my duty to consult voters before I decide." "As Rousseau said" "I'll issue a press release." "That's all, thanks." "Guibord was a star hockey player in the juniors." "He became a national hero at the World Juniors in Regina in 1990 after scoring the winning goal against Russia." "He was drafted by the Chicago Blackhawks, and seemed headed for a great pro career." "But that ended prematurely because Guibord suffers from aviophobia, the fear of flying." "Since he was unable to travel, the Blackhawks ended his contract." "This is a great learning experience, a world-class political situation." "Thank you." "I'm happy for you." "Rodrigue?" "There's a log on my lawn and my wife's pissed." "I knew nothing about it." "I'll have it removed." "But my guys are furious." "What's happening with the minister?" "The minister?" "We're on it." "Just be patient." "Besides, historically, no roadblock's lasted more than 3 days." "This one looks like it'll go longer." "My guys'll blow a gasket." "They're putting up a shack on their road-block." "Nursery:" "All you seed is love" "The deciding vote?" "I'm stressed enough." "It's a chance to show you're a leader." "The choice is simple." "Yes, there are reasons for." "But who willingly sends their kids to be killed?" "Soldiers know the risks." "How can you consult voters here in one week?" "We'll" " You'll hurt yourself." "How will we consult?" "Town meetings, maybe." "Right, assemblies!" "Today's Wednesday, so" "Sunday in Rapides, Monday in Prescott," "Tuesday noon, the reserve, Philemon that night." "Wednesday I go back to Ottawa." "We vote Thursday." "We?" "Like me too?" "You'll come?" "I'm at every damn spaghetti supper, but as your wife I can't apply for business grants." "You get to sleep with me." "I don't sleep with you." "You sleep on the floor." "Mr. Guibord?" "You're late for your meetings." "I'm not your secretary!" "I know." "I owe you one." "More than one." "Sorry I'm late." " No problem." "We'll have poets from Finland, Latvia, Sweden" "Knut Holmlund is coming!" "I see." "The poem on the back is by me." "This one?" "Read aloud, it's more vibrant." "Wayward wolf, solstice of the heart" "Wayward wolf" "Solstice" "Solstice of the heart" "I am a woman of northern might" "Born under the northern lights" "It's so personal." "And intense." "Thanks." "What can your MP do for you?" "You see" "Mr. Guibord, a call from Ottawa." "The Prime Minister's office." "Pardon me." "You're a genius!" "That was painful." "No, I'm serious." "It's the PM's office." ""As I am a citizen of a free state, however weak my voice in public affairs, the right to vote requires that I inform myself." "My meditations on government always give new reasons to love that of my country."" "Parliament!" "That was great." "Do you like Scarlatti?" "Who doesn't like Scarlatti?" "Do you play an instrument?" "No, I play hockey." "Sorry." "Thanks." "How was your flight?" "The drive was fine." "Mr. Guibord dislikes planes." "Ah yes, I remember now." "It's a complex issue." "Hence my idea" "A window for direct democracy." "Yes." "That's true." "But a visit by the minister would greatly ease tension." "You want me to vote for the war in exchange for the ministry?" "To vote for Canada for Freedom." "But yes." "Why allow the MP for Peace Valley to abstain?" "She doesn't refuse to vote, she cannot vote." "A small surgical procedure with big complications." "Is it serious?" "No, just delicate." "We wish to respect her privacy." "I understand." "Will she return?" "Absolutely!" "But not in time to vote." "Mr. Prime Minister, I'm sorry, but I can't accept." "Mr. Guibord, you have voted with us 70% of the time." "I gave my word." "I promised to consult, and won't back down." "I don't decide the result." "In your riding, 46% of people favor the war." "41% are against, with 13% undecided." "Where's that from?" "Listen to them." "Show empathy for their preoccupations." "Play devil's advocate occasionally." "But for the rest, leave it to us." "I saw you score the winning goal at the Juniors against Russia in Regina." "That went very well." "I think it'll go well in Cabinet too." "To tell us about MP Guibord, here's our correspondent Stephanie Caron-Lavallee." "First, how did Steve Guibord enter politics?" "The Liberals wooed Mr. Guibord six years ago." "But he left the party over disagreements on aboriginal issues." "He has close ties to the Algonquin community" "As we saw last week when he supported their road block" "Come on!" "I got the road opened!" "Steph, say something!" "I think we have to nuance that." "Mr. Guibord said he supported them" "No, that he understood their frustration." "He also quoted Jean-Jacques Rousseau" "Obviously his position is not very clear." "In fact, many suggest he is improvising." "Now, Stephanie, moving to" "I need to sleep." "Mr. Guibord?" "You take the bed." "Really." "No, I told you, I always sleep on the floor." "It's my back." "It's no problem." " Are you sure?" "Yeah, go to sleep." "Good night." "Good night." "Did you see the Prime Minister?" "Did you see him?" "Did you convince him?" "Did you talk to him?" "Is he tall?" "Did you impress him?" "Thanks." "Good." "As we saw before, the Prime Minister has very broad powers." "He controls Parliament, names ministers, supreme court judges and senators, heads the army." "If he heads the army, why does he need a vote?" "Very good question." "He's not obliged, but it legitimizes his actions to the people." "Not exactly clear." "Sounds like a scam." "What in heck?" "My back's sore too." "The Leader of the Opposition called." "He wants to meet you." "He can wait for the results, like everyone else." "But, if I may" "No buts." "I started out as a Liberal." "Never again." "Good as you are, you've been here 5 days." "Lots you don't know." "So slow down." "No worries." "You played pro hockey?" "Ancient history." "But you know, Mr. Guibord, flying is safer than" "Sovereign, let's set a few ground rules." "In some families, politics are off-limits." "Obviously not ours." "Or you can't talk about religion or sex." "Us, it's airplanes." "747s, hang-gliders, hot-air balloons" "It's like, what you'd call" "Taboo?" "Exactly." "The Peace Valley MP already had mega boobs!" "That doesn't leave this room." "It's taking advantage of her misfortune." "Do we know how long she'll be hospitalized?" "So you drove 1,800 km to hear about a botched boob job." "He asked me to vote for the war." "You said no." "He wants your support." "What's he offering in exchange?" "He offered me the min" "Let's say he's willing to" " What?" "Be more sensitive to the riding's needs." "That's it?" "He could end the roadblock." " Are you selling out?" "I didn't sell out!" "Why am I here, anyway?" "I need your help with the meetings." "The flyers, social media You're great at that." "OK, and what if it turns out people are for the war?" "Then I'll have to vote for." "No way I'll help that!" "Lune" "Lune!" "Stop acting like a child." "Know what people will say?" ""She helped send her generation to war."" "I haven't even voted!" " Alright." "I have a real business to run." "You're hiding something." "Sovereign, see you." "See you!" "So now the meeting's adjourned?" "You can say that." "12:50 pm." "Your help = $ Denmark" "Blackmail!" "But if u vote for, I'll never talk 2 u" "Hi, I'm Steve Guibord, your independent federal MP." "I'm holding assemblies for citizens" "Dad!" "Not so fast." "And smile!" "I thought I was smiling." "Did I look mad?" "A little." "Rolling" "Action!" " Hello." "I'm Steve Guibord, Your independent federal MP." "I'm holding public assemblies for citizens in the riding to express their views on deploying troops." "Your dad's a real democrat." "He's an old hockey player stuck in prehistory." "I had to show him Facebook." "But Facebook isn't Parliament." "In Parliament Dad gets to speak twice a year." "Never seen a black man?" "What's happening in Canada is unique!" "It's unprecedented!" "Out of democratic conviction, MP Guibord is consulting voters." "Though he can send the country to war at any time." "Unless he's assassinated." "Assassinated?" "That doesn't happen in Canada." "No, my friend!" "Sovereign," "I don't want you involved in any assassinations." "Finish your internship and come home." "Mr. Mayor!" "See you later?" "See you." "Hello, everybody!" " Hello!" "Thanks for this turnout." "It shows your concern and that the issue is important." "I won't say much." "I'm here to listen to you." "You have the floor." "Rodrigue." "Route 1 19 is in terrible condition." "It crosses Indian land." "So it might as well be radioactive." "The government has to act, and quickly." "Highways are provincial, so let's ask your provincial rep." "Mr. Choquette, any comments?" "Aboriginal issues are federal jurisdiction." "What about the mine?" "The grant they promised?" "Mr. Choquette?" "The situation's very complex." "We don't control the market." "Quebec isn't autonomous in international trade." "If we were sovereign, with full control of taxation, we could do something." "Can we focus on why we're here?" "Yeah, good idea!" "We're here to discuss Canada's involvement in the war." "What's your opinion, Guibord?" "I'm here to listen to your opinions." "You don't have one?" "I didn't say that." "Mrs. Charbonneau?" "Sovereign!" "Alright." "Who gives a shit about the war?" "We're here to talk, not to vote." "The mine's dying." "We'll lose our jobs." "Folk singers come and tell us to stop logging." "Nobody asks our opinion before expropriating our homes." "The sawmill hangs on but pollutes our rivers." "And Aboriginals' roadblocks piss us off." "And you ask about a war halfway around the world?" "Well I say, screw that!" "Mic, please!" "Truth is, war will happen regardless of what this riding decides." "But" "But politics, as you know, is the art of the impossible." "And" "Sorry." "It's the art of the possible." "What?" "The maxim is, "Politics is the art of the possible." Not impossible." "When we need help from the Third World, we'll ask you." "Mr. Mayor, please." "Let's get back to the subject." "So, the art of the impossible possible." "I'll tell you what will change ifwe go to war." "Jobs!" "I have here a letter from the Ministry of Defence and another one from the Ministry of Industry, with calls for tender for potential contracts of $25 million if Canada joins the war." "Just a minute." "Which means the mine will get a new lease on life." "It means your workshop, Victor, will operate 6 days a week." "Your motel, Francoise, will be full." "This war is a godsend." "The question isn't are we for or against." "The question is if our MP Guibord is for or against our workers!" "First, everybody here knows I'm always on the side of our workers." "What you're holding are calls for tender." "They're not contracts." "There's a huge difference." "Who's for the war?" "Rapides gives you a clear mandate, Steve." "We're not here to vote, but to discuss." "This manipulation is bullshit." "He's bribing them!" " It's our first meeting." "The ministers issue calls for tender." "I stay out of it." "Still, it looks fishy." "I feel uneasy." "It undermines debate." "Who was that?" "Winston Churchill." "Since when?" "Since you do politics." "Mr. Guibord?" "In Rapides, the people gathered, like in the Greek agora, to debate." "Yes, people got mad, argued, changed views, but they went home without bloodshed." "North of the 48th parallel, politics is all about territory." "The MP must crisscross a continent of rivers and forests to fulfill his democratic mandate." "Freedom of expression runs like a swollen torrent in spring." "My country is hurting" "Madame Mayor, we'll arrive tomorrow at 6 as planned." "We'll even plant the tree, as promised." "Mr. Guibord, that'll be the day." "Don't you listen to the news?" "Not today, why?" "Truckers blocked the 1 19 last night." "In Philemon?" "No, north of the Makadewa Reserve." "It's mayhem here." "Everyone's stockpiling groceries." "Share the road, they say." "So we'll block it too." "So- so- so- solidarity!" "Let me get this straight." "You're blocking the road so the Algonquins won't." "Is that your reasoning?" "Said like that it sounds weird, but yes." "You disappoint me." "I thought you saw the big picture." "Instead of insulting us, support us!" "Are you crazy?" "Support you?" "Dad?" " Want me to get" "Dad!" " Mr. Guibord?" "Listen, Rodrigue" " Mr. Guibord!" "I have to be in Philemon." "It's your civic duty to open the highway." "What the heck?" " What do you mean?" "Sick!" "What the hell?" "They knew our motel?" "A dove has gone on a voyage" "All around the world she carries her message" "Of peace, of love and friendship" "Of peace, of love to share" "And it's her youth which makes her fly" "A dove has gone on a trip" "So we can all be free and sing" "The dove sings of truth and amity" "Of peace and love and liberty" "When on its wings it soars" "It cries freedom, an end to war!" "Mr. Guibord?" "On behalf of the Caravan for Peace," "I give you an Internet petition signed by 1,230,000 Canadians asking you to choose peace." "Or as a data file, it's less cumbersome." "1 ,230,000!" "I didn't know the riding had that many voters!" "It's a national debate." "It's a national issue, but a local debate." "You can't use that image." "Stolen and doctored for political gain." "You sound like the Caravan for War." "He invited us to debate." "The citizens of his riding." "Where are you from?" "Mr. Guibord starts his second day of public consultations." "This morning, as you know, the truckers' union erected a roadblock north" "Stephanie?" "Teamwork?" "Don't fan the flames." "Ready?" "Your neutrality is exasperating." "Why?" "It's Canada's moral duty to stabilize the conflict zone." "You must convince Guibord to vote Yes." "My role isn't to tell Guibord how to vote but to promote debate." "Use your imagination, Sovereign!" "You wield influence." "Find a solution." "Optimist!" "Don't encourage Sovereign to meddle in Canadian politics." "If he can help prevent an escalade, he should." "Cows should graze in their own field." "Nonsense!" "He's a citizen of the world." "Jeez!" "Want a beer before the show?" "I don't drink, but thanks." "I have pot if you prefer." "Snowy owl" "Snowy owl" "Sometimes a dove" "Sometimes a goose" "Yes, a goose" "Sometimes a she-wolf, mother of peace" "Mother me" "Mother me" "Mother me" "Mother me" "Thank you." " Yes, thanks!" "Bravo!" " Thank you." "So then, to avoid yesterday's debacle, we asked a professor, professor Amoun" "Amin." "Amin." " Professor Amin." "To explain why it's important to go to war." "Or not." "Or not." "Professor, very briefly" "Thanks." "To fully understand the stakes in the present conflict, we must go back 25 years, if only to identify the major players." "But to really" "Military interventions protect the interests, of the belligerents, regardless of the state." "They may have a humanitarian goal" "Minister?" "I knew it!" "Not so loud!" "Minister, but only if I vote for." "You said?" "That I'd keep my promise." "And continue with these" "Keep your promise?" "As a politician, you're unique!" "You make that sound bad." "Steve, think about it: minister!" "Well, it's a Cornelian dilemma." " You sound like Sovereign." "A Cornelian" "I know what it means." "It's lose-lose." "Exactly." "It's you who sees it as a trap." "Stop stalling, take control!" "Don't tell Lune." "She won't understand." "I say, "Si vis pacem, para bellum!"" "If you want peace, prepare for war." "Excuse me." "We're all in favor of peace." "My husband's not asking ifwe like war" "War in general." "He's asking if we should fight this war." "When diplomacy has failed, and people over there are dying," "I say we have to go help them." "I may be wrong." "That comes with democracy." "But speaking now," "I'm certain from the bottom of my heart as a citizen, my heart as a woman, and my heart as a mother that I am right." "There." "Do you really think we're defending the freedom of ordinary people?" "And democracy?" "Right-wing propaganda." "We get the picture." "We get it." "You don't have a monopoly on truth." "Dissent isn't necessarily propaganda." "It's Jimmy!" "It's Jimmy." "Hi." "My name's Jimmy." "I'm an Afghan vet." "I live on the reserve." "Mr. Guibord was my hockey coach." "I was good." "But he was great." "You should've seen him!" "He encouraged me to stay in school." "He suggested military college." "I went to Afghanistan." "They sent me home with a medal." "An Afghan kid who loses a leg doesn't fly to Canada." "No, he stays there." "And he's mad." "And when he's mad, he's dangerous." "Maybe he becomes a terrorist." "Jimmy, I" "Sorry, I didn't know." "But I admire your courage." "It's not my leg." "The worst is feeling useless." "You're not useless, son." "I'm glad to see you." "Great show, Steve." "We pulled out our Kleenex." "But them hippies aren't citizens of Prescott." "Workers are the majority here in Rapides." "You're risking the next election." "The atmosphere is tense as Steve Guibord prepares another meeting" "Don't stress out." "Your decision's already made." "Seeing Jimmy, my arguments fall apart." "You're wrong." "My mind's not made up." "Besides, as we always say, we don't always have to agree." "I know." "In the last elections," "I didn't vote for you." "What?" "You were sure to win, my vote wouldn't change anything." "I pictured you with me at the nursery, not 1 ,000 km away in Ottawa." "I voted like when you make a wish on a shooting star." "Even if I bought the shooting star story" "It doesn't jibe!" "You voted against me so we'd be together, but if I become minister, I'd never be home." "I know." "You went into politics to change things, right?" "But no matter how hard you try, you can't." "You're powerless." "I want our sacrifice to mean something." "What are you doing?" "Did you vote for me last time?" "Course not!" "Christ, why the hell not?" "Relax." "I was too young to vote." "Yeah, right." "You're knocking 'em back." "A pitcher, please." "Polls show the wind is turning." "People oppose the war." "Lune, you're naive." "Why, you don't believe his story?" "Sure I do." "I feel awful for him." "But they're using Jimmy." "It's just a show." "Come on." "Both of you." "Hi, excuse me." "Could I have a minute with Jimmy?" "Very kind." "Jimmy, does your stump hurt?" "Lune!" " What?" "Really." "You know Lune." "How are your parents?" "Dad's still furious I enlisted." "Shall I call him?" "It was my decision." "And tonight?" "Was it your idea or theirs?" "They paid you?" "Thanks." "Sorry, I didn't want to cause trouble." "Don't worry." "It's no trouble." "I'm going to bed." "Finish your juice." "No worries." "Name 3 Quebecers who left politics with their heads high." "Or from the whole world." "You can't." "There aren't any." "Not one!" "Everyone leaves hated, humiliated, vilified, burned out." "Take this." "They offered me Aboriginal Affairs." "But what then?" "What then?" "'Cause power corrupts." "Power that's absolute" "Absolute power corrupts absolutely." "Who said that?" "Lord John Emerich Edward Dalberg-Acton." "I think." " You're so annoying." "Mr. Guibord, minister?" "Minister?" "Any news from Peace Valley?" "I've other priorities." "I know, but the consultations are pointless if she gets better." "Ever fight in a bar?" "Wanna rough up them peace lovers?" "You take her, I take him?" "Like in a hockey game." "Pull the sweater over their head" "Pow!" "Go for it!" "Sir, no." "Bad idea." "With their doves" " Please" "Bunch of wusses." "Violence isn't a solution." "Prescott!" "Wanna see something pretty?" "I never imagined it's so soft." "Me, I first met Suzanne when she was 17." "At the arena." "She came to watch me play." "From the moment I saw her," "I knew she was the woman of my life." "She was gorgeous." "I've never been with another girl." "Ever." "'Cause I know she's the one." "This way." "Isn't it beautiful?" "We'd come here to skinny dip." "Us too?" " No, take a picture!" "Guibord goes to war" "Nursery:" "All we seed are lies" "Suzanne?" "The situation's complex." "He has to follow his conscience." "But they've offered him a ministry." "Which leaves him in a Cornelian dilemma." "I'd add that" "Seen Suzanne?" "What's that?" "It's MP Guibord!" "What the heck?" "What is Sovereign's role in your consultation?" "He's the eyes and ears ofthe international community." "The South is sending observers to the North now." "If you like." "Sorry, last question." "Mr. Guibord," "(in Creole) you tempted to become minister?" "Shut up!" "What was the question?" "Mr. Guibord?" "I'm Sovereign's mom." "Hello, it's a pleasure, Mrs. Pascal." "He's doing a great job." "People here are saying that my son is helping to send Canada to war." " Mom!" "He's only 22!" "Not at all, Mrs. Pascal." "Your son's not sending anyone to war." "For the love of his mother, make Sovereign change careers." "I sympathize, but he's in good hands." "Sorry, gotta go." "Really, Mom!" "Sovereign, why doesn't he overturn the government?" "A coup d'etat?" "This isn't Bolivia." "Wikipedia says there's the vote of confidence in Canada." "Of course!" "MPs can bring down the government." "Where were you?" "Arranging a lift to Rapides." "You're going back?" "Truckers vandalized the nursery." "What?" "Those bastards!" "I'm the target." "Their aim is off." "I won't be intimidated." "You keep at it." "You don't need me here." "We'll talk." "Hospitalized?" "What's your source?" "I can't say." "Does Mr. Guibord know?" "You see" "Is this from him?" "No way!" "No way!" "Is it serious?" "Very good question." "It's what we want to know." "As you said, people have a right to objective coverage." "You're up to something." " No!" "Yes!" " No!" "Yes!" "Yes!" "Yes." "I suspect the government is hiding the truth." "If the MP for Peace Valley remains on leave, the government becomes a minority." "You see?" "That changes everything!" "Do you have contacts in Peace Valley?" "Peace Valley, Paris, Dubai" "Then call." "To learn the truth." "Can't I interview you on camera?" "Jeez!" "Sovereign, hell!" "Chill out!" "Alright, to resume the situation." "First, Guibord wanted peace." "But if he wants to become minister, he has to vote for war." "So it's up to Guibord." "And Sovereign is Guibord's chief advisor." "So, ladies and gentlemen," "Haiti's at the heart of the action!" "OUT WITH GUIBORD!" "I'm writing a letter to the United Nations." "We'd like to be alone, please." "Thanks." "Thirsty anybody?" "You're power brokers in a national issue." "No one ever invaded Canada to help us." "Dad always supported you." "He's only asking your opinion." "It's true, he's supported us." "But he had no real power." "Now he does." "A different power maybe." "Are you here to ask our position on the war, or to seek backing so you're named minister?" "Somebody called to ask what we'd think if you were named Minister of Aboriginal Affairs." "In 400 years nobody's ever come to consult us." "What's going on?" "They need us for their damn war." "Why would they appoint you?" "Dad?" "Did you sell out?" "Hold your horses." "I didn't accept." "You didn't refuse." "If I'm named minister," "I can make real changes." "Sending kids to be killed so you can help the Algonquins is fucking insane." "Don't oversimplify." "Crazy country." "Great!" "Perfect!" "Thanks for posting my scoop." "I have to go." "Bye." "Mr. Guibord?" "Mr." "Not now." "You can't run away forever!" "It's all a show, like you said." "You used me." "No." "Never." "Never, Lune." "If anything I used the chance to" "Become minister." "To be closer to you." "The flyers, Facebook were pretexts." "I could've hired anyone." "I'm not even allowed to hire you." "It's called favoritism." "And that's what it is." "You're my daughter." "Our last campaign as a family, before you leave." "Because you will." "You're leaving." "And I'll miss you." "If that MP wasn't sick, would you have consulted voters?" "No." "How would you have voted?" "I'd have voted against." "Mr. Guibord?" "Yes?" "I may have a solution." "He'll vote no, it's OK." "I figured that out." "But I have a global solution." "What do you mean?" "Over here." "You're in a Cornelian dilemma." "Spit it out." "You can vote no and become minister to solve this crisis." "How?" "They can't be defeated by a vote on the war." "But on the budget." "And a no-confidence motion!" "But" "The forest has ears." "She's in a coma?" "From day 1 !" "This is big." "It changes everything." " Exactly!" "The Prime Minister needs you." "Not just for one vote" "But to stay in power." "Exactly!" "You can force an election." "Or become minister in a coalition government." "Just a minute." "You'd need the opposition on board." "They've been courting you since the beginning of this." "I allowed myself to prepare things." "What have you done?" "You spoke to the Liberals?" "Well" "Sovereign" "You rule!" "Guys!" "Your motion and big-boob coalition are gibberish!" "All we want to know is what you'll vote." "Nothing changes." "We oppose." "The opposition parties all agree" "Guys!" "It's this way." "Any comment on the Peace Valley MP?" "I hope she gets better quickly." "You knew she was in a coma?" "Cut." "I think you knew." "I don't know, but I think it helps you that the news is out." "So, can I ask again?" "Alright." "Rolling." "You knew about the coma?" "I knew she was sick." "But that's for the family or government to reveal." "It changes nothing." "I'm here to defend my constituents, end the deadlock, and vote." "Which I'll do." "Thank you." " Thanks." "Stephanie?" "Good work." "Really." "Thanks." "And me?" " Only room for two." "I'm expected in Philemon." "We want peace too." "The member understands, he always respects roadblocks." "I hope he'll stick to his principles." "I have a democratic mandate." "Aboriginals, they defend their rights." "Us, we're interfering with democracy?" "The miners want their mines." "The Indians, their land." "You want your consultation." "We want an open highway." "It's not that c-compl.." "Complicated?" "If Aboriginals end their roadblock?" "We'll end ours." "Follow me." "Behind me, in the cabin erected as a roadblock," "Aboriginals and truckers are negotiating." "Sources say the talks are going well." "The discussions are intense." "Can you state your demand clearly and simply?" "In a single sentence." "Open the road." " Thanks." "Not "peace with Algonquins"?" "More like, piss off with your roadblocks!" "Roadblocks suck, huh?" "Roadblocks are for patient people like us." "The problem's not the 1 19." "It's the logging on their land." "We won't settle that here today, do we agree?" "But I promise to work on it with you." "We're calling a no-confidence vote." "We'll force an election." "The leader of the opposition swears to make the reserve and highway priorities." "Is it a deal?" "The highway's open but you call off your visit." "Do you take us for boobies?" " For what?" "The townspeople of Philemon won't let themselves be treated like second-class citizens." "I won't let anyone treat you like second-class citizens." "You have to understand, I have no choice but to cancel." "I have to drive 1 ,000 km." "You don't keep your word!" " What now?" "Pardon?" "Mr. Guibord?" "Those fucking morons!" "Lune!" "Lune!" "Calm down!" "Let me handle it." "What's wrong?" " My ankle!" "What's this fucking compulsion to block roads?" "I won't let you vote against the war and destroy the region." "People here want jobs." "You're blocking me?" "Sure." "If you're not in Parliament to vote, it's game over." "The casting vote, Steve." "Will you say that on camera?" "That you won't let an MP vote?" "That's contempt of Parliament." "Just watch me!" "The miners of Rapides are here to show their support for the truckers." "Can you explain what's behind your roadblock?" "We are organizing a 2-day solidarity rally" "Well?" "Got a brainwave to save us?" "What would Jean-Jacques Rousseau do?" ""The people want the good, but don't always see"" "Dad, cool down!" "I'm sorry, Sovereign, but this is real life." "Voltaire or Kafka won't get us out of this." "I won't make it to Ottawa in time." "OK, I'll shut up!" "Dad?" "You're our man in Ottawa, and I'm going to go to Denmark, OK?" "How did Indians get around before cars?" "On snowshoe." "Sovereign!" "What?" "Bring me a map of the riding, please." "From here it's only 2, maybe 3 hours by canoe." "But you don't know how to paddle." "My love." "You, beautiful clear-eyed offering," "You marry east and west, heaven and sea," "Illuminate the resting beast" "Beautiful, eternal one, embrace this night" "My only country is light" "Lune" "Bright moon!" "Who loves you?" "It's blocked all along the 1 19." "We won't make it past Rapides." "What do we do?" "We use plan B." "Deep breaths." "You can do it." "Light as air." "I can take one more person." "Sovereign has to go." "It's the World Cup of politics." "Thanks!" "Thank you so much!" "Stop." " I'll go by canoe." "Politics is the art of the possible impossible." "What's your opinion?" "Don't you have one?" "Do you take us for boobies?" "You harm the riding's economy b-by encouraging the Indians." "I say, Fuck off!" "To be in power is to serve power." "Your vote's not for sale." "Mr. Guibord?" "Look." "It's beautiful!" "What a great internship!" "What have you learned from all this?" "That I knew nothing." "I learned that years ago." "Then you're as wise as Socrates." "Of Socrates  Son Garage?" "Exactly." "And you?" "What have you learned?" "That I have a friend." "If history teaches us one thing, it's that military intervention often fails, and, ironically, almost always exacerbates the conflict." "For these reasons, I'm going to vote against." "Will you rejoin the Liberals?" "The door to our party is open." "For now, we'll oppose the war." "And next week we can discuss a no-confidence motion." "Mr. Prime Minister!" "She is a true patriot." "Mr. Guibord?" "Any comment?" "As they say in Haiti," "you don't drown just 'cause you fall in the sea," "Thank you." "As they say in Quebec:" "The puck didn't bounce our way." "154 MPs voted against the war, including Mr. Guibord." "But 155 deputies voted for the war, thanks to the?" "Casting vote." "Exactly." "So was that the end of it?" "Not at all." "The government was weakened." "And as its term is ending, elections are imminent." "No Sovereign." "There'll be no election!" "Mom, Mr. Guibord asked me to be his special advisor." "Great!" "A sequel, like in Hollywood!" "And as the mayor of Rapides says so well, politics is the art of the impossible possible!" "Why can't I go back?" " I don't want you to go to Canada." "But why?" " Politics is no job for a good boy." "There are no jobs here!" "And agronomics?" " Agronomics!" "Hey, Sovereign!" "How's the Kingdom of Denmark?" "What's that look?" "Cool, huh?" "I'm thrilled to inaugurate your magnificent gazebo." "In fact, I've brought you a gift, a Japanese maple." "A tree that symbolizes life and strength, like you, who've shown courage and patience through all the recent events." "And to prove just how important Philemon is to me, it's here that I want to kick off my election campaign!" "That's quite an honor you pay us." "You have to drive home tonight, so I'll be brief." "You can count on me during your campaign to run against you in the election!" "Mr. Guibord, good luck!" "May the best woman win!" "Mr. Guibord , good luck!" "May the best woman win!"