Like many states in the Western world, Québec isn't having enough babies to sustain its growth and needs to open its doors to immigration in order to compensate. Like all states welcoming immigrants, Québec expects newcomers to learn the language of the majority to integrate.
Unlike in other states, it is fairly easy to live a comfortable life in Québec without knowing the language of the majority. The availability of English-language media, culture and services is abundant. You see... Québec is a linguistic oddity; with close to 8 million people, it is surrounded by an ocean of 332 million English-speakers. And, unlike any other states, Québec needs a legislative framework to ensure newcomers have the opportunity to become functional in the language of the majority, hence the Charter of the French language.
The recent arrival of Bill 115 in Québec's legal landscape is one of many adjustments made to the Charter of the French language to remain in sync with the province's linguistic reality and comply with the Canadian constitution. Its purpose is to restrict a loophole that allowed Allophones and Francophones to buy an access to the English public education system through what is now known as "bridging schools". As it is often the case, it was the occasion for criticism.
Some people see xenophobia in Québec's linguistics laws. This is an odd perspective, considering the purpose of these laws is to promote a common communication vehicle. Much of Montréal's Jewish community speaks English. Arrived in the 30s and 40s, they weren't welcomed by French Roman Catholic schools. Had they arrived after 1977, French schooling would have been available to them.
Some people see in Québec's linguistic laws a drive for ethnic cleansing. They obviously have no clue about what ethnic cleansing is. Hinting any kind of parallel between the situation of English-speaking Québécois and the ordeal that the Jewish or the Tutsis in Rwanda have gone through is abusive to say the least. Above all, it's an insult to the survivors of such tragedies.
Some people see a desire to preserve cultural purity in Québec's linguistic laws. Is there such a thing as cultural purity? Traditional Québécois cuisine and music have strong ties to Ireland. Today's Québécois culture is a product of its European roots and its American environment. Québec's motto "Je me souviens" is an invitation to remember both its British and French roots.
Some people see in Québec's linguistic laws an intent to prevent its population from learning one of the most powerful language in the world. Québec's population is the most bilingual in the country. There's no plan in the program of any political party to prevent anyone from learning any language.
Some people see in Québec's linguistic laws an intent to isolate the province from the rest of the world. Other would argue that other provinces, with their closer ties to the USA, are the ones isolating themselves from outside the English-speaking world. More Europeans movies are watched in Québec than any other places in North America. Of course, much of these movies come from France, but that's not the only country Québécois film buffs are exposed to, for example, the rest of the continent will discover the Millennium trilogy (a Swedish-Danish production) years after Québec did. Furthermore, Québécois artists are behind some of the most successful Canadian cultural exports. Céline Dion, Cirque du Soleil and Just for Laughs, to name a few.
Some people see discrimination in Québec's linguistic laws. They're right. Like all immigrants coming to Québec, I don't have the privilege to send my kids to an English school. Of course, I would rather have this privilege. Would I use it? Maybe for a year or two... English is fairly easy to master. Oh... I'm sure I make mistakes, but I trust you get the picture.
In Québec, there are plenty of ways to learn English as a second language. Schooling simply isn't one of them.
2010/10/31
2010/10/16
Duceppe's USA visit
The Globe and Mail published a story yesterday about Duceppe's recent visit to the USA, "Quebec independence 'by no means settled,' Duceppe tells Americans." In the article, the politician is quoted: "I am here to tell you that the question of Quebec's political future is by no means settled." Note the difference between our national newspaper's headline and Duceppe's words.
To my Canadian friends... I know most of you are fed up with these neverendums. But you have to realize that, although not all Québécois are for sovereignty, the majority is fed up with the Canadian Constituquo. There's more to Québec's political future than independence or maintaining the current federal relationship. I sometimes get the feeling you're simply wishing this thing away. It's not going anywhere.
Now... if Québec's sovereignty can be achieved by the Québécois on their own, constitutional reforms require all Canadians. As naïve as this may sound, Québec's political future could be settled within Canada. Wouldn't you say that Canada is in deep need for an inspiring federalist politician who could sell our country with the same passion sovereigntist leaders sell Québec? Click here for Duceppe's complete speech.
I know... I'm not proposing much. I simply hope that some of you realize they're holding the key.
To my Canadian friends... I know most of you are fed up with these neverendums. But you have to realize that, although not all Québécois are for sovereignty, the majority is fed up with the Canadian Constituquo. There's more to Québec's political future than independence or maintaining the current federal relationship. I sometimes get the feeling you're simply wishing this thing away. It's not going anywhere.
Now... if Québec's sovereignty can be achieved by the Québécois on their own, constitutional reforms require all Canadians. As naïve as this may sound, Québec's political future could be settled within Canada. Wouldn't you say that Canada is in deep need for an inspiring federalist politician who could sell our country with the same passion sovereigntist leaders sell Québec? Click here for Duceppe's complete speech.
I know... I'm not proposing much. I simply hope that some of you realize they're holding the key.
2010/09/30
Thank you Maclean's - Part 2
A significant portion of Canadian politics is being carried on in a language unknown to the vast majority of the country's population.
French media are run by individuals roughly divided half and half on the merits of federalism and the merits of Québec sovereignty. French speaking reporters brush with the other side on a daily basis. Their reports and opinions have to be well documented for them to maintain their credibility.
English media are run by a vast majority of federalist individuals who don't get the opportunity to challenge the merits of their position as often as their French speaking counterparts. Canadians are under the impression that national media suffice to fully understand what makes this country tick. National media aren't enough.
Maclean's story has inspired many interesting reactions in French language media, but these reactions missed the magazine's target audience. Today, Jean-François Lisée takes the time to directly address this audience in an articulate and passionate response; he was an adviser to Lucien Bouchard. This is what he has to say about the PQ's attempt at balancing the province's monies in the days that followed the 1995 referendum:
"We found a stubborn willingness on the part of the Chrétien government to make things as hard as they could and to impede our (in the end successful) attempt at balancing our own books. Their take was that separatist politics hurt our economy—and they tried to make that happen. Our take was that a fiscally sound Quebec would be in better shape to become independent." Click here for the full story.
French media are run by individuals roughly divided half and half on the merits of federalism and the merits of Québec sovereignty. French speaking reporters brush with the other side on a daily basis. Their reports and opinions have to be well documented for them to maintain their credibility.
English media are run by a vast majority of federalist individuals who don't get the opportunity to challenge the merits of their position as often as their French speaking counterparts. Canadians are under the impression that national media suffice to fully understand what makes this country tick. National media aren't enough.
Maclean's story has inspired many interesting reactions in French language media, but these reactions missed the magazine's target audience. Today, Jean-François Lisée takes the time to directly address this audience in an articulate and passionate response; he was an adviser to Lucien Bouchard. This is what he has to say about the PQ's attempt at balancing the province's monies in the days that followed the 1995 referendum:
2010/09/27
Thank you Maclean's
"As politicians and experts from every facet of the political spectrum told Maclean's, the history of corruption is sufficiently long and deep in Québec that it has bred a culture of mistrust of the political class."
Who are these politicians and experts?... a professor of ethics in Toronto, Amir Khadir from the left-wing, Éric Duhaime from right-wing circles and a Liberal MP. There!... we're covered!
Of course, other provinces have had their share of scandals, e.g. three premiers of British Columbia left under a cloud of criminal allegations, if not outright accusations. No country in the world is immune from corruption, but you see... in Québec, it runs deeper. It's somewhat in the collective psyche. And Maclean's most recent cover story is not to prove what everybody knows. It's to submit a sociological explanation. Why are the Québécois as they are?
Well... it's because of nationalism... while the Québécois constantly debate on the place of their province in Canada, no one follows-up on the schemers. That's that!... plain... simple and to the point. Everyone knows that Maurice Duplessis, was extremely nationalist. Say what?... one of the cleanest governments in Canada was run by René Lévesque from 1976 to 1985?... this government voted one of the most severe laws on political parties financing?... it inspired Jean Chrétien to do the same in Ottawa?... the exception that proves the rule, I gather.
But wait! That's not all!... Québec media are also allergic to constructive self-criticism. Even worst... they see any flaws exposed nationally as Québec bashing. Say what again?... Québec media were the ones to expose the collusion in the construction industry?... another exception that proves the rule, I suppose.
Ok... I admit it... it's possible that corruption's more prevalent in Québec. But shouldn't the authors of this story display a minimum of journalistic rigor? Such an assessment must rely on solid data, not just a collection of headlines.
Has a Québec publication ever exposed Canadian scandals in a similar manner? What would be the Canadian reaction to a report stating that Toronto's regulatory organizations are the worst in the world because of Bre-X, Nortel and Conrad Black? A report stating that, according to a Chicoutimi historian, the English-Canadian psyche has such propensity for greed that it conveniently turns a blind eye and lets billions vanish from the stock market? Such a report could then quote the late Robert Cliche, who chaired a Royal Commission investigating corruption in Québec's construction industry in the 70s: "Below $20,000, it's a fraud, above this amount, it's high finance."
Even punchier!... what would be the Canadian reaction to a report, citing Pickton and Olson, stating that, according to a psychologist from Trois-Rivières, British Columbia is the land of Canadian serial killers because of its annual rainfalls?
Where on Earth is Maclean's heading? Don't they know a recent Léger poll suggests that the Québécois aren't satisfied with the Bastarache inquiry [Google translation]? 78% of the province's population actually believes a full fledge inquiry on the construction industry should take place.
Isn't this a blatant example of not letting facts get in the way of a perfectly good story? The real story here, I'm afraid, is that, like all struggling printed media, Maclean's is simply fighting for its share of the market at the newsstand.
This being written, and on behalf of the sovereigntists who feel that pitting the two solitudes against one another serves their cause, I would like to thank "Canada's only national weekly current affairs magazine" for their contribution.
Adapted from a column by Yves Boisvert, "Le Bonhomme Carnaval enfin expliqué" [Google translation] published in La Presse, September 27th, 2010.
Who are these politicians and experts?... a professor of ethics in Toronto, Amir Khadir from the left-wing, Éric Duhaime from right-wing circles and a Liberal MP. There!... we're covered!
Of course, other provinces have had their share of scandals, e.g. three premiers of British Columbia left under a cloud of criminal allegations, if not outright accusations. No country in the world is immune from corruption, but you see... in Québec, it runs deeper. It's somewhat in the collective psyche. And Maclean's most recent cover story is not to prove what everybody knows. It's to submit a sociological explanation. Why are the Québécois as they are?
Well... it's because of nationalism... while the Québécois constantly debate on the place of their province in Canada, no one follows-up on the schemers. That's that!... plain... simple and to the point. Everyone knows that Maurice Duplessis, was extremely nationalist. Say what?... one of the cleanest governments in Canada was run by René Lévesque from 1976 to 1985?... this government voted one of the most severe laws on political parties financing?... it inspired Jean Chrétien to do the same in Ottawa?... the exception that proves the rule, I gather.
But wait! That's not all!... Québec media are also allergic to constructive self-criticism. Even worst... they see any flaws exposed nationally as Québec bashing. Say what again?... Québec media were the ones to expose the collusion in the construction industry?... another exception that proves the rule, I suppose.
Ok... I admit it... it's possible that corruption's more prevalent in Québec. But shouldn't the authors of this story display a minimum of journalistic rigor? Such an assessment must rely on solid data, not just a collection of headlines.
Has a Québec publication ever exposed Canadian scandals in a similar manner? What would be the Canadian reaction to a report stating that Toronto's regulatory organizations are the worst in the world because of Bre-X, Nortel and Conrad Black? A report stating that, according to a Chicoutimi historian, the English-Canadian psyche has such propensity for greed that it conveniently turns a blind eye and lets billions vanish from the stock market? Such a report could then quote the late Robert Cliche, who chaired a Royal Commission investigating corruption in Québec's construction industry in the 70s: "Below $20,000, it's a fraud, above this amount, it's high finance."
Even punchier!... what would be the Canadian reaction to a report, citing Pickton and Olson, stating that, according to a psychologist from Trois-Rivières, British Columbia is the land of Canadian serial killers because of its annual rainfalls?
Where on Earth is Maclean's heading? Don't they know a recent Léger poll suggests that the Québécois aren't satisfied with the Bastarache inquiry [Google translation]? 78% of the province's population actually believes a full fledge inquiry on the construction industry should take place.
Isn't this a blatant example of not letting facts get in the way of a perfectly good story? The real story here, I'm afraid, is that, like all struggling printed media, Maclean's is simply fighting for its share of the market at the newsstand.
This being written, and on behalf of the sovereigntists who feel that pitting the two solitudes against one another serves their cause, I would like to thank "Canada's only national weekly current affairs magazine" for their contribution.
Adapted from a column by Yves Boisvert, "Le Bonhomme Carnaval enfin expliqué" [Google translation] published in La Presse, September 27th, 2010.
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