Quebec Liberals - Socialists ?

The tree is known by the fruit it bears.

What kind of fruit is the Quebec Liberal government of Jean Lesage bearing? We have obligatory state hospital insurance. We have the move to centralize and secularize education.

Now a newly-elected provincial Liberal M.P., in his maiden speech before the legislature speaks as follows:

"Steel is the backbone of the economy of peoples that are at the helm of their own affairs. Let steel be at the base of the takeover of its economy by the state of Quebec." (Pierre Laporte, M.L.A.).

This in favor of a government-controlled steel complex.

Jules Brillant, Liberal Legislative Councillor adds his bit in another direction:

"The vote is considered a democratic right necessary for the liberty of the individual. If the vote is a right for the citizen of Quebec, it is also his duty to fulfill faithfully the mission imposed on him by the collectivity. Making the voter compulsory for all electors will protect him and help him to understand this right and duty."

Compulsory voting! You will not have the right to abstain from casting your vote for any of a slate of candidates which you do not consider suitable.

Can a right be made compulsory? it is true that rights also presume obligations. But can a person be obliged to exercise a right at all times? Does this right then remain a right, or does it not then become an obligation imposed by legislation? Like paying taxes?