The surge of NDP orange on the electoral map in the last election, which provided for the demise of the Bloc Quebecois as a political force, came in some cases from former (and perhaps still hopeful) Independistes, who have found a helpful place to land with the federal NDP.
The sudden interest in the political leanings and past allegiances of the federal members came to the forefront as Nycole Turmel took over as temporary leader of the NDP, holding down the fort while Jack Layton battles on in his fight with cancer.
Interestingly enough, the appearance of this summer political storm came on the horizon courtesy of the now disorganized and seemingly despondent Bloc Quebecois, which leaked with perhaps a chuckle of "this will show them", the name of Nycole Turmel as one time traveller along the path of sovereignty.
Of course, the NDP is not the only place where those that may not be particularly attached to the concept of Canada as we know it have found a home, though clearly the numbers are on the side of the Orange Wave in this instance.
Even the ruling Conservatives have their skeletons it seems.
The Tories, who at the moment seem to be doing the most finger pointing (with some assistance from the wily Liberals ever aware of a political opportunity) when it comes to the political version of who knows a secret (not so much a secret after all we guess). As even a few of the (and they are few considering the Conservative vote totals out of Quebec) Quebec members have apparently had moments of separatist contemplation both past and present.
At any rate, in the dog days of August in Ottawa, with Parliament on vacance, the naming of the names continues on, a helpful tutorial for some, a shameful display of quasi McCarthyism for others..
Providing, If no other service, then as to provide some background for the rest of the country as to who the new players are who have found their new found embrace of the federal system and all the rewards that are destined to those that er, serve the nation?
That and of course the chance to churn out no shortage of political commentary in a dry season of political news out of the capital.
National Post-- NDP adopts "When asked, don't tell' policy
National Post-- The not-so-loyal opposition
National Post-- How the NDP can take power
National Post-- With Turmel, the simplest answer is probably the truth
National Post-- Conservative minister's Bloc past revealed
National Post-- Rae lashes out at 'flaky' NDP, interim leader
National Post-- Our country's un-loyal leader of the Opposition
National Post-- Break up Canada? Ho-hum
Toronto Star-- NDP interim leaders's ties to separatists Bloc no big deal: poll
Toronto Star-- Quebec NDP MPs stay silent on their political past
Toronto Star-- NDP support holds firm despite leadership woes
Toronto Star-- Conservatives downplay Transport Minister's BQ baggage
Toronto Star-- English speaking Canada blind to Turmel affair
Toronto Star-- Rae's taking advantage of NDP turmoil
Toronto Star-- Two questions for Nycole Turmel
Toronto Star-- Harper says Turmel's sovereigntist ties are disappointing
Toronto Star-- Turmel's Bloc past badly wounds the NDP
Globe and Mail-- Harper takes a swipe at Turmel's commitment to Canada
Globe and Mail-- Nycole Turmel and the NDP have some explaining to do
Globe and Mail-- NDP credibility under attack after Turmel's Bloc ties revealed
Globe and Mail-- New NDP leader was long-time member of Bloc Quebecois
Globe and Mail-- Questioning Turmel's motives isn't audacious -- it's our duty
Globe and Mail-- The Turmel noise is about fear, not national unity
Toronto Sun-- Grits grill Turmel over separatist ties
Toronto Sun-- Nycole Turmel flop a rude NDP awakening
Toronto Sun-- Nycole Turmel throws NDP into turmoil
Toronto Sun-- NDP downplays interim leader's separatist ties
Toronto Sun-- Layton's questionable decision
Ottawa Citizen-- Turmel in the BQ? Big deal
Vancouver Sun-- Turmel's ties to separatist movement could damage NDP in Western Canada
Vancouver Sun-- Unlike Canadians at large, NDP takes interim leaders separatist links in stride
Vancouver Province-- Turmel's separatist background makes NDP too pro-Quebec
Vancouver Province-- Dix cools on NDP's Turmel
Vancouver Province-- Editorial: Turmel must now show where her loyalties are
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