I'm getting a bit tired of the language debate in Quebec.
I feel a bit guilty saying it, because the neverending battle has become so central to the province's identity that it's almost like I can't call myself a true Québécois unless I have a spot on the front lines. What does it mean to be a Quebecer if not to constantly argue about French vs. English, federalism vs. sovereignty, Liberal vs. PQ/BQ?
The most popular post on this blog, by far, in terms of comments is a criticism I made in 2007 about anglo rights crusader Howard Galganov. The comment mark on that post just passed 500 (all of which I had to individually approve), and new comments are added every day. Discussion of the statements made in the post or of Galganov himself have long fallen by the wayside. The four participants who keep the thread going just yell at each other, call each other racist and compare each other to Hitler in their discussions of the great divide. I block those comments that go too far, but if I deleted those that I didn't think advanced the conversation enough, over 90% would disappear immediately. At this point, I'm just watching the counter go up, in awe about how much time people can waste trying to change the mind of someone who is obviously never going to agree with you.
Autre
I'm an anglophone. Even though I've lived in Quebec my entire life, I'm seen as the enemy. No different than the Rest of Canada. It's assumed that I'm just waiting for my chance to make it in Toronto or New York, and that I don't really belong here because I don't really want to be here. Though I love Quebec as much for its culture (which is inescapably intertwined with its language) as its politics (which is inescapably intertwined with language issues), because I use English more than French in my daily life I'm set aside from real Quebecers.
Once, in a conversation with some young francophone journalists, I was asked about my opinion on Quebec politics in a way that gave me the impression I was introducing these people to a culture they'd only read about. I felt like I was giving them a sociology lesson on what it's like to be an anglo Quebecer.
One of the things that was odd about the conversation is that it came a bit out of nowhere. People don't stop me in the street to debate politics. I've never been refused service at a commercial establishment on account of my language. Francophone bloggers link to me, and I link to them, with little regard to the fact that our posts are in different languages, unless the thing were talking about is language politics. Quebecers are more concerned with daily life, gossiping or getting laid than they are convincing others of their point of view on separation.
I got dragged into a brief debate about my positions on Bill 101 recently, and though I have serious issues with some of its provisions that seem more anti-English than pro-French (and the psychological factor and selective enforcement only exacerbate the anti-English sentiment), part of me wanted to scream out at one point: "I don't care!" I can read French signs fine. I can communicate fine in that language (just don't ask me to write in it for a living). In that sense, Bill 101 doesn't really affect me. Though I cringe at how much the government is spending on language enforcement rather than language education, I think there are far more pressing issues for it to deal with than reforming our language law.
Pure laine
I bring this up because of a couple of debates going on that really make me wonder where Quebec's priorities lie.
La Presse's André Pratte had to apologize on Friday for noting that Michael Sabia, the ex-Bell CEO who has just been named to head the Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec, is (a) not a Quebecer and (b) doesn't speak French very well. It seems he was wrong on both counts. Sabia has lived in Quebec for 16 years ("how long do you have to live in Montreal before you become a Quebecer?") and his French, while accented, is fine. He attributed his first error to "un détestable réflexe québécois" - namely that if you're anglo, you're not a Quebecer. Believe me, this is a big problem. It's not just in Quebec, of course. People, media and PR agencies all over Canada will look at someone with brown skin and assume they're an immigrant. In the U.S., if you're latino, it's assumed you're an illegal immigrant or the descendant of one.
I accept Pratte's apology, but he wasn't the only one to bring this up. Sabia needed to defend himself from an attack by Bernard Landry, saying he's now chosen to live in Quebec three times since 1993.
UPDATE: No, wait, La Presse has gone back to saying he doesn't speak French well enough for their liking.
Now we know why there are rules against political interference in the Caisse's affairs. If something as petty as province of birth is a political issue (and deemed more important than making money for Quebec pensioners) then who knows how many ways 125 MNAs could figure out to screw with the system and doom our finances in order to maintain political correctness.
As Martin Patriquin points out, "Quebec must be the only place in the world where it actually matters what language money speaks."
Not just money, but pucks.
Jeu de puissance
The other debate, which has just started, is over who will fill Guy Carbonneau's shoes as head coach of the Canadiens. For any of the other 29 NHL teams, the only criterion would be the ability to coach a team of players to a Stanley Cup victory. (Well, that and not being a child molester, hockey gambling addict or 9/11 terrorist, I guess.) But in Montreal, they want to add another: the ability to speak French. And because former Hamilton Bulldogs coach Don Lever is a prime candidate (he was promoted to Habs assistant coach when Carbonneau was fired), there's already discussion that, no matter how good a hockey coach he might be, he can't get the job because he won't be able to speak properly to the media and to fans. Even Bob Gainey, who speaks French fine but with a strong accent, isn't good enough for the people at RDS.
The Gazette had a little fun with that Saturday, suggesting some intensive training courses and giving a list of simple phrases for an anglo coach to learn.
This debate should come as no surprise. The same debate has been going on ever since Saku Koivu was promoted to be the Canadiens' captain. Patrick Lagacé complained about it when he was at the Journal (though he's softened his stance at La Presse - Lagacé the old softy disputes this in a comment below) in a column more notable in media circles for its hilarious follow-up. Of course, there are plenty of NHL players who don't speak a word of English, but nobody complains about that. After all, their job is to play hockey, not to give speeches. But, in defence of this particular point, there aren't any NHL captains who can't at least carry on a conversation in the language of Gary Bettman.
And then there's debate any time you see a trade, a call-up, a healthy scratch, or even a line-change which alters the makeup of the team to make it less francophone. It doesn't matter what Guillaume Latendresse, Maxim Lapierre or Mathieu Dandenault's skills are. What matters is that they can be interviewed in French on RDS during intermission, and therefore they must be on the team and in the lineup. For these people, a Patrice Brisebois is more valuable than an Andrei Markov, and certainly more than a Mike Komisarek.
Fans can demand these things. It's their right. And Canadiens fans aren't exactly known for their logic or cool-headedness anyway. And it's the government's right to demand that the head of the Caisse is a Quebec-born francophone who watches Star Académie.
Priorités
But when you say that language and nationality is more important than skill, you can't complain when you don't get results compared to others. You can't complain that the Caisse is losing more money than other pension funds when you passed over a qualified anglophone for a less qualified francophone for the job. You can't complain that the Canadiens failed to bring home their expected 25th Stanley Cup when you cut the field of head coach candidates to less than half of what it was so that RDS viewers don't feel uncomfortable.
In the United States, the military is mocked because it fires gay Arabic translators even when it's in desperate need of them. We make fun of the Americans because they put what you are above what you know, to their own disadvantage.
Sometimes, I wonder if Quebec is any better.
Except, I'm tired of debating the point. So I'm just going to hit "publish" and move on to something more interesting.
UPDATE: More discussion of this on Lagacé's blog, which also talks about Simons's opposition to that stupid OQLF sticker campaign.
Jean said: Just like the french are excluded elsewhere in Canada.
My reply:
You are verifying the FACT that ethnic cleansing of the English culture & English language is going on in la belle province, mon ami.
Saying the French are excluded elsewhere in Canada to 'justify' this ethnic cleansing is more than ridiculous and it is also wrong. The French are being welcomed to the point that Trudeau made the entire country bilingual and French has and is grown and thrived across the country, as the French population grows - across the country. Ontario with its what: 200,000 francophones has 600 French schools and you are saying they are excluded?
And it's a far cry from what is going on to the English here in Quebec! The English language is NO LONGER one of the Official languages in Quebec! All government offfices - institutions etc.... the list is too long to repeat... now correspond in French only! It's the LAW! There were over 3,000,000 English speaking Quebeckers in the mid 60's... almost half the population of the Province (around 45%) . The English community was alive and well and a vibrant part of the Province ... and yet most lived in the Greater Montreal area! The rest of the province was pretty much unilingual French - and no one complained about it!! But we were able to communicate with the Province in English or French, with medical and legal issues in English or French etc... You know all the important aspects of LIFE as is only right!
Today one is hard pressed to get documentation in English - you have to make a formal request! ALL government offices, branches etc.... are named only in French... Even the bloody Red Cross has had its name francicized. When an announcement about an office or service is made on English television or radio or in the Gazette... the names of those services are written or said in French! It's like it's DIRTY to allow an English Title - of ANYTHING to be aired or written!
On top of that - The English have always asked for BILINGUALISM in the Greater Montreal area - only! Nope that wasn't good enough for the nationalists and people like you jean! The only acceptable 'solution' was and is to ERASE English off the map in Quebec.
English Schools have been PLEADING for their books and workbooks in English for over 7 bloody years!!!!! One goes on the government website - to read documentation in English - and for over 30 years.... you see English translation coming soon!!!! some parts have been translated - but the LAW says... that in cases of versions, of whatever law there is, that if the English part is not available, then the French version is the one that applies. If an anglo has to go to court - many many many have their cases heard in French - even if they are not Fluent in French - and it's just too bloody bad if they can't understand what's going on!
Again: you fail to note and accept that a GOOD NUMBER of anglos were NOT ALLOWED into the French education stream until the 70's. And you continue to SCREECH that they don't want to learn French. And you know very well - that it doesn't matter anyway!! Because no matter how fluent an 'anglo' is .... they're not going to get a job anyway!! Ex: Hydro Quebec a company that is supposedly owned by ALL Quebecers... what - less than 1% non francophone employees!! And that goes across the board!
Now I'm talking about institutions and government offices etc.... that USED to employ English (blingual) staff!!! Now that has become absolutely unacceptable. And it's quoted as a 'small problem we have to address'. Right... in the meantime they are being STARVED out of the workforce!!
Oh before I forget... you 'quip' lie really, about Concordia not accepting a paper written in French unless the professor okayed it... is a complete and total LIE. And this is in an ENGLISH University... and you are offended that it's not
French! Point made!
Once more... don't compare the rest of Canada with the ethnic cleansing of English in Quebec. The rest of Canada has opened its doors to French - while Quebec is still very busy - erasing English as fast as it possibly can!
"Just like the french are excluded elsewhere in Canada."
Sure they are with 40% bilingual hiring policies as part of the civil service in Canada..Whats the anlgo hiring quotas within the Quebec civil service??? Anglo population exceeds 10% of the population and representation in the provincial civil service is less that 1%. No discrimination against anglos??? It doesn't really matter about language as even if an anglo is fluently bilingual they are shunned due to the last names as others have indicated on this very blog.
Hi Westerner,
I have made note of the e-mail you have listed and will send off a copy of the same letter I had addressed to our Prime Minister, which in turn was forwarded to James Moore. Unfortunately, at the Federal level it's pretty difficult to obtain their attention as they view language as a provincial issue. I have e-mailed James Moore on three different occasions now, my initial letter and two follow-ups, all to no avail. I intend to keep trying and in the meantime, will use the e-mail address you have indicated.
Thanks again!
"Why do the english expect the immigrants to automatically take their side as a matter of course?
Because the english use the immigrants to minorize the french?
Now that they are forcibly francized, they will more and more take our side (as it should be like in any normal country), and they will be less and less tools of the english."
This is actually quite laughable. Whatever it is you're smoking, I'd like some. WE DO NOT VIEW immigrants as pawns, we view them as people! From your post, you however, view them as pawns who MUST take sides. I DO NOT recall asking immigrants "to side with the English". They are free to choose if they so wish. I would like my society to be an inclusive one, not one where individuals feel they have to "side with anyone".
What is sad, is your statement really, if that is how you see immigrants, your arrogance is astounding!
All should, if they have concerns to Mr. Fraser.. send to the address I have given. At the very minimum they should respode.. If you don't get a reasable response..let me know.
AFTER ALL...you are the majority and that speaks for something!!!
Well, ¿DUH?, it’s actually a PROVINCIAL ISSUE (rimshot); the 1867 british north-America act (yes, the one that you shoved down out throats) is quite explicit about that. And so does the 1982 constitution that also was rammed down out throats.
Hello Westerner,
Forgive me for not responding to your suggestion I email: graham.fraser@ocol-clo.gc.ca . Is this the Fraser Institute? I dismissed your suggestion (and forgive me for that) because as soon as I saw the fraser... part, thinking it was the Fraser Institute that has been involved in part with the language issue since at least the referendum. And they know very well what is going on here and have done nothing.
But if it's a new or other organization, please let me know and I'll be happy to get in touch with them.
Mind you, I believe nothing much will change until the Rest Of Canada is told and made aware of what is really going on in Quebec. Their outrage will make the politicians sit up and pay attention; and put an end to this horror.
Graham Fraser is the commissioner of official languages, you moron. He has nothing to do with the Fraser Institute, nor do lots of other people named Fraser.
Thanks again Westerner,
I will get in touch with him in the near future, and will definately let you know.
"Well, ¿DUH?, it’s actually a PROVINCIAL ISSUE (rimshot); the 1867 british north-America act (yes, the one that you shoved down out throats) is quite explicit about that. And so does the 1982 constitution that also was rammed down out throats"
Of course it is a provincial issue...Just look at discriminatory law 101 in Quebec.
But then..why do we have a federal program of french across the nation.....if in fact it is a provincial issue.
What a f'king joke. Forcing something down someones throat...What was it 40% jobs are designate bilingual in the country. Now that a force...forcing unilingual qualified anglos out of their positions or promotions. Where do most bilinguals come from, frere jean..would that be Quebec.
Make you a deal Jean, you go for law 101 in Quebec and I will support you....so long as you also assist us in having the OLA repealed federally. Good deal for both don't you think?? Then we can stop pushing sh't down each others throats... Hell, I am all for it and actually am in favor of Quebec separation as it would be good for Canada and perhaps good for Quebec as well. But the cut has to be clean.
Just think of all the advantages.
No more english in Quebec, go ahead eradicate those maudit tete carretes. If they don't like it they can move out.
No more french in Canada...I cannot think of how many tax dollars would be saved. Would never have to look at another cereal box in two languages.
You wouldn't have to endure the federal politicians making a complete mockery of your precious fench langue which they pretend to speak.and can't ..and are just an embarrasment to all of us.
Time to leave Jean...I totally agree with you. It would be good riddance on both sides of the border.
What part of f'k off do you not understand.
"forcing unilingual qualified anglos out of their positions or promotions"
If they're unilingual and the job requires competency in French, then they're not qualified, are they?
Obviously Didi has a lot to say but is not all that knowing about the issues. The language commissioner as part of the Fraser Institute. :):) Didi, if you want to be critical of issues then educate yourself as to the realities.
Didi: It's time for you to back off a bit, I think. Nothing you said has any significance since your posting on March 26th when you played the Nazi card.
Well Fagstein, that's what was done to the anglo's in Quebec. They were forced out of their jobs - when overnight - the language cops came in to test their French - and then even if the person was bilingual - their lives were made so miserable - out they went! And that was when - the population count was over 3,000,000 non francophone; and they were the majority in Montreal.
So what's your problem in French being removed from Provinces that have 6% .. francophones.
As for your moron comment... well what can I say.
Westerner:
Back during the referendum the Fraser Institute had a great deal to say about the language issue - and most often leaned toward Bill 101. And many of us contacted the institute for help and it did nothing. Enough said?
As for the language commissioner - who I just goggled - and as well meaning as he sounds, given some of the books he's published against the Nazi type language laws.. absolutely NOTHING has been done to even start to correct the situation nor get us our rights back.
Nothing! Get it? It just gets worse every day!
So go and make a complaint to him, why? You think he doesn't know what's going on here? Of course he does - and still it gets worse. So try not to be rude. Like I said, I'm sorry I didn't respond to your suggestion. And my goodness I made a mistake. Are you going to join the nationalists tar and feather fray?
And given your "Go ahead and separate comment". Are you saying you're okay with "Throwing the anglos/allos to the wolves"?
Marc,
Why should I back off? Am I disturbing some anti anglo sensibilities? Aw gee. What about our sensibilities? What about our RIGHTS - language and culture being erased? And you're offended over the Nazi comparison? Did they or did they not - erase the RIGHTS, language (Yiddish) and culture of Jews - first the German Jews and then - all over Europe? And the the final solution.
So I shouldn't make the comparison clear? What would you suggest I use as a comparison?
It is what it is and it's time it's exposed! So I will continue until we have our language, & rights back - like every other Canadian in the country.
One other thing Westerner:
I'd suggest before you comment on me 'educating myself on the realities' you come and stay in Quebec for a couple of years, - and experience the 'realities' for yourself. You would then be able to make 'realistic educated' comments on the situation here and not from some 'arm chair' podium.
Didi: There is no comparing the two at all. It's called Godwin's Law. Go look it up.
Well marc,
I took your advice and looked up Godwin's Law and I firmly stand by what I say and will continue to compare what is
going on here in Quebec to what went on in Germany. The comparison with what Hitler did : First removing Jewish - language, culture institutions, corporations, media outlets, schools, starving them out of the workforce... etc....
can very definitely be compared to the English, schools, institutions, corporations, media outlets, anglos being starved out of the workforce, language cops, OLF, FLQ.. bombs in mailboxes, kidnappings, murder... that frightened and intimidated the population into submission... and the continuing threat of violence, backlash if our rights and language are returned... etc..
The only difference is: Hitler did it in a much shorter period of time.... and he went as far as the ..Final solution, of concentration camps and the physical horrors he and his Nazi - superior race - touted!
When any society has imposes superiority over ANY of its citizens... it reminds one of Hitler and the Nazi's... because of WWII and many are still alive to tell the tale... and warn of the dangers of that kind of mindset and propaganda.
Hitler erased all the positives, contributions and history of German Citizens who were until then, pretty much considered Equal with Equal Rights. Their only 'difference' was their religion. He found a scapegoat - The Jews of Germany - and pitted one segment of society against the other. Everything that was wrong with Germany was the fault of the Jews.
Sound familiar Marc?
Does it remind you of the term: It's the Anglo's fault!
The Jews were starved out of the workforce.... so are the anglos. Take a look at the employment stats.. # of anglos at
Hydro, in Provincial, Federal Offices, in medical clinics (nothwithstanding a couple in downtown Montreal and maybe a few on the West island) in the police force, in French hospitals (are there any?) etc... etc... etc...
Over 90% of our schools, media etc.... are gone!! Our children have to show legal proof that they are 'entitled' to go to English schools! Our older children understand they have very little chance of ANY decent position in MOST companies in Quebec... no matter HOW bilingual they are. They don't have the right last name and are not pure laines!
The ONLY difference is .... the 'cleansing' has been over a much longer period of time. That does NOT negate the fact.. that
it is a FACT!
By the way, I was born in Germany, my friend. So it is NOT a comparison I make lightly. As a matter of fact... it makes
me SICK to know this is what has happened my my Quebeck! But happened it has.. and gets worse every day!
What would you suggest I call it and compare it to?
Fagstein,
The issue is not about whether the job or position is "posted" as bilingual but rather if the position actually requires bilingualism. The feds have come up with targets and quotas for bilingual positions within the civil service. In the Western Canadian provinces it is about 5%, 10% in Ontario and about 10% in the maritimes. One has to wonder what they are basing their targets with regards to actual need. The reality is that very little french is spoken outside of Quebec or NB. Here is a reality check with regards to the percentage of people who routinely speak french in their homes which is likely the best indicator of actual language use, and thus a measure of the need to provide service in both languages.
NWT 1.1%, BC 0.4%, AB 0.7%, SK 0.5%, MB 3.8%, ON 2.5%, NB 29%, NF 0.1%, PEI 2.1%, NS 2.0%.
Of the above figures, I would think that the actual unilingual componenent would be much smaller as most of those who do speak french in their homes are also are likely fluent in English.
So then, Quebec and NB are really the only provinces by populace that require service in both Official Languages. Back to hiring quotas/targets. Is it necessary to have 5% of the civil service positions in SK or BC designated bilingual when in reality less than 0.5% of the population utilize the language regularily and of those, the majority are comfortable in either language.
Canada is not a bilingual country, despite what our politicians tell everyone, as the statistics clearly indicate. Designating positions as bilingual where there is actually no real requirement is in fact discrimination. This would go for a unilingual franco in a predominately french region of Quebec as well as the anglos from english regions of Canada. This practice also limits the pool of qualified applicants for a particular position which will over time reduce the quality of the civil service. ( I am not the most qualified by I am bilingual so I get the job at the end of the day).
Of course the OLA and the federal programs of language are very expensive. Some have estimated the costs at in excess of 700 Billion since the programs inception in 1969. I myself, find this figure high but would think 300 to 400 Billion would be more in line with the actual costs to the country. All this money for a program which has failed, is presently failing and will continue to fail going forward. Just think of what could have been done with all that wasted money.
Or is this all Ottawa's attempt at social engineering!!! After all, in Ottawa/Gatineau the hiring quota is 64% and I am sure there are many in this group, that would like to change the linguistic reality of canada at any price. Of course, the cost or validity of this excercise is of no concern to them as it is not their money they are pissing down the drain.
The festival of the broken record…
My! My! I go away for a bit, and when I come back, wow! Cluelessness galore!
My father, who became “separatist” more than 50 years ago in the army, keeps telling me for the last 20 years I’ve been trying to tell the english about language laws first on BBSes, then on the “Intarweb” that “they are stupid, you are losing your time, they never understand and they don’t give a shit”.
Well, by judging from the comments, I may start to guess that he is right… But that confirms what I have been saying all the while that the english are unable and unwilling to understand other cultures.
The various nonsensical comments above are a brilliant testimony to that effect, and they quite illustrate the fact that the english hate the french (and if we did hate you, we would have kicked out of here 250 years ago).
Here is a great summarization of Québec and Canada on Slashdot…
"The various nonsensical comments above are a brilliant testimony to that effect, and they quite illustrate the fact that the english hate the french (and if we did hate you, we would have kicked out of here 250 years ago)."
What, you don't like to face the facts and truths M. Naimard. Very typical of a Quebecois separatist when when faced with the realities.. You have the hate thing correct Jean and it is only the players you have wrong with regards to who actually hates who... Where in Canada are there oppressive and discriminatory language laws but in paranoid Quebec. It really does not matter what colour of lipstick you apply to a pig Jean, the fact remains.
Quebec should leave and those remaining would be fine, as the situation with a box of oranges. When can the rest of us look forward to this happening? Nothing wrong with your language or culture BTW..just keep the whining and discontent confined to your own back yard...the other neighbors get seem to get along just fine.
Oh for pete's sake. Every one of you narded up over this is gonna be dead in 50 years and the issue will be moot for you. (Pissing contest is coming to mind.)
Why not just enjoy life?
You couldn't have kicked us out 250 years ago Jean... we were half the population.. and on top of that won the war and encouraged your language and culture.
So go ahead, keep singing your very old and used up "the English hate the French blah blah blah; The truth is finally coming out to bite you in the behind.
I'm so glad that Jean brought up the article about French video games being forced to be kept in retail stores. I read the same article over at an actual video game website with passionate video game fans. It's funny how if you read the comments on the article you find a mostly unanimous opinion.
http://www.gamespot.com/news/6207354.html?om_act=convert&om_clk=morenews&tag=morenews;title;1
The majority of the people that responded were :
A) French Canadian
and their response to this law.....
They A) would rather play the game in English than have to wait 1-4 months extra if the game is delayed and aren't willing to pay for increased fees for video games in order to make this happen and prefer to play games in their native language rather than a poorly done dubbed version to help them out in their own language.
B) Might enjoy having a game dubbed in their own language but feel that the law restricts the use of English and if dubbing is done it needs to be better translated into Quebecois French rather than a poorly translated version of French from France.
Now,let's take a look at the scenarios that will occur...
- A recession is upon us and with razor thin margins retailers will be worried about moving stock that might be kept in the warehouse and not moved fast enough if not enough copies are sold. Forcing retailers to overstock won't help any retailer especially in these tough economic times.
- My friends are already turning to import games from places such as Amazon.com and other online retailers. This won't help any Quebec retailer at all if people aren't spending their money inside the province and are basically turning to bootlegging methods to get the games from places outside of their own area.
Now,let's look at the issue from a common standpoint. Should video games be offered in French if possible? Yes, but this should be up to the Publisher's discretion and shouldn't be shoved down their throats. French games can have just as much of a right to be placed in stores if the opportunity arises but not by making the other English copies illegal in the process and certainly by not delaying games for who knows how many months behind the rest of North America. This law has not only pissed off English consumers who will find it more difficult to find their games at local retailers but has also pissed off the majority of French Canadian video game fans who will be turning to online retailers or taking nice trips to Ottawa to get the game when it's supposed to come out and not 1-3 months later.
Is there a solution to this problem? Yes, it was by creating the game manuals in both languages so that both English and French consumers could learn how to play the game by reading the instructions in their own language. Everything was fine and everybody was happy. There was no war happening over the matter. Both populaces were happy and continued to play their video games just fine. The world didn't turn upside down.
So,once again there are no winners. This law serves nobody except the small minority who wish to impose their will upon the masses of this province. Good to see that the best method that these lawmakers have to deal with all day long is to restrict one language while pissing off the majority of the people who speak the other language at the same time. Good job Quebec.
This is even funnier when you think of the large percentage of video game publishers that have set up shop in Quebec thanks to government subsidies. It has helped to create a large amount of jobs for both English and French Canadians in this province and has also helped to bring in skilled programmers from the United States who enjoy living in this province and who all create games for a mostly American and worldwide audience in English. If it were me, i'd rather leave the situation alone and not lose jobs to other provinces in Canada such as Edmonton (Bioware) but I guess Quebec will have plenty of jobs available with their highest unemployment rate in Canada.
chris: You should consult StatsCan for unemployment information. If you did, you'll see that Ontario has worse unemployment than Quebec.
While I think the law is not just regarding video games, we tend to forget neglect Ubisoft here in Quebec that is a French company who produce games in both languages. However, as you stated, the French used is International and not Quebec French.
Wonder where they got the money for the subsidies??...could it be the equalization money that Quebec receives from Canada. (Only about 8.5 Billions last year plus loan guarantees to Quebec Business...sic)
Never ends!!!!
"chris: You should consult StatsCan for unemployment information. If you did, you’ll see that Ontario has worse unemployment than Quebec."
Could be with Ontarios huge manufacturing sector in decline. that which has contributed to equalization payments to Quebec for about the last 20 years. Quebec should hope the Ontario economy turns around quickly (which it likely won't) so that they can continue donating to the Quebec economy.
Tell me it isn't so.
Yes Westerner,
I like you would love to see someone from our Federal Government STAND UP TO QUEBECERS! Seems no matter who you vote for, Conservative, Liberal, NDP, THEY ALL cater to Quebec & promise more and more. And this from a native Quebecer!
Harper had proposed a seat re-alignment in parliament...I'm still waiting...
Will likely never happen in our lives with the state of political correctness that no plagues the country.
French imperatives will continue to be forced down the throats of english Canada by the government in an effort to further their failed agenda, and, english rights will continue to be eroded in Quebec with no "real" intervention by Ottawa.
Consider leaving or fully integrate into a society that will always view you as "des autres".
Totally understand you man, very frustrating the Anglophobia in QC. Within the GOVT (lived it first hand on several occasions) it is considered fair game to discriminate openly, block, devalorise, trip (jambettes), insult openly what is labelled as an Anglophone - I've tried to explain that problem here...but it was hard not to rant (my blog, my rules:) ): http://www.sqlservercentral.com/blogs/hugo/archive/2009/03/15/weeding-out-racism-in-the-workplace-a-letter-to-government-institutions-in-quebec.aspx
As you can see I'm asking Bernard Landry to apologise, which may be futile, but I shall escalate soon if the Caisse's glass walls of integrity are shattered by the May 11th RRQ protest - funny that, considering it is the PQ militants that have controled that irrelevant institution (past five years they've gained us nothing) and billions more than they should have. Maybe Sabia can fix it (thankfully the board has been cleaned out more or less), but expect his postive actions to go well and truly punished by the baised provincial media. He is already making the mistake of appeasing but cutting board salary and waiving his pension...he will surely regret that, b/c nobody will respect such a noble deed in the end.
Si vous avez à coeur la langue de Molière, pouvez-vous faire circuler dans votre milieu!
Merci à l'avance!
CENTRE-VILLE DE MONTREAL
====================================
Une anglicisation fulgurante en photos et vidéos
Déjà un millier d'infractions possibles à la loi 101!
Et ce ne sont ni des rumeurs, ni des ouï-dire, ni des peurs mal-fondées, ni des épouvantails à moineaux, ce ne sont que des faits réels.
Allez constater sur ce site:
http://www.imperatif-francais.org/bienvenu/articles/2008/montreal-anglais.html
Ou est-ce qu'il est partie la tolerance de notre cher Guy Favreau.
Quebec, mon cher, ca vas faire l'Anglophobie.
Montreal is a bilingual city, look at the flag of the city itself and think about it - not all four corners are the Fleur de Lys, needless to say.
I wish you luck Hugo, in getting a dialogue going with this guy. Looks like he's one of the programmed anti English Quebecker ones.
Good luck with your fight in Quebec for some anglo rights. At the end of the day you will lose.
Just sell your property while you can still get a reasonable number and relocate.
You have lost the battle!!
Westerner,
What suggestion do you have for the millions of Quebeckers that may not have property to sell? Just pretend they don't exist until they die off?
I just hope you aren't subject to the same kind of response, if you ever find yourself in a like position mon ami. And believe me,
don't be surprized if it happens. By saying and doing nothing you are giving the Feds even more permission to eliminate your rights too!!
Un «french-canadian» de service, récompensé pour sa lauyauté envers l’occupant anglo-saxon par un beau poste de ministre de la citoyenneté et de l’immigration (la machine à minoriser les français), puis ensuite, ministre de la justice et procureur général du plusse bow méyeur péï du monwde.
Pas de danger qu’après s’être fait donner de tels bonbons, il se mette à critiquer les anglais, hein? Ce serait bin trop bête de les perdre…
Quand les anglais vont cesser de nous détester et de vouloir nous minoriser. En attendant, on va être vigilant et on va se défendre.
La majorité est française, et la petite minorité voudrait bien ne pas être obligée de ne pas apprendre le français et de mener tout le monde, comme dans «le bon vieux temps»…
Et bien c’est fini, ce temps là.
D'abord, je respecte la langue Française en tant que langue officielle du Québec – aucun problème avec cela. Par contre, je n'ai aucun idée quelle langue c'est Jean, lorsque vous m'expliquer ceci: 'du plusse bow méyeur péï du monwde.'
I'm doing all I can to allow us to rise above the pathetic bickering and to get back to what makes Canada great – l'union de nos forces collectives. Vous, les militants Separatistes sont les pires enemies du Quebec (not just Canada) – expliquez directement par mes amis nationalistes (avec qui j'adore vivre parmi sur le Plateau Mont-Royal).
En faite, nos origines dans la famille, si on recule mille ans en arriere, sont Franco-Normandes, et il semble, les malmenés comme vous veulent etablir un dictatorship au Québec – like a generation of Napoleons which my ancestor Perceval helped greatly defeat by placing Wellesly first on the Peninsula, and later defeating the little-big man at Waterloo as Wellington.
Also, Jean, can you please take a geography course? Les Anglais habitant Angle-Terre (across the pond, at least 6 hours flight from here), ici nous sommes Canadiens et fiers, thank you very much. Je vais combattre votre ignorance jusqu`à la mort avec mon clavier et paroles, aucun besoin de force physique réquis – we all know that the sword has been dropped hundreds of years ago here with reason.
Ceci dit, I'm heading off on a much-deserved break for a few weeks, despite being practically bankrupt no thanks to the PVP racist that I have subsequently indirectly ousted at the Caisse de Défauts – and I shall continue take out, one by one, as many of you militant separatist bullies as I possible to instill a QC were minorities do not have to live in constant fear of ethnic cleansing by means of psychological harassment and ignorance (author of L'Angliade would be a good target). I'm not talking here about what QC-bashing may be going on from outside of the province (since I understand this as an internal issue to QC), I am talking about what has happened from first hand experience from la Guelle du Lion of the QC separatist élite at the CDPQ. These people, who somehow we pay them to lie to us through their ironic glass walls of integrity – tried to deny that the Senior VP who originally hired me there wasn't really a PVP: another modus operandi (LATIN, not a demonised Anglicism my dear OLF) of the low integrity militants such as you try and maintain via Revisionist history and denial. Time to take the heads out of the sand!
Just because la majorité sont francophone doesn't donne raison aux actes de tyrannie tel que L'OLF qui attaque des Pubs Irlandais, le changement du nom de l'avenue du Parc (a landmark know across the country). Le Montréal voit très bien comment ça se passe la magouille à la Ville maintenant – the truth is there standing next to us, only now people are beginning to see it. Does this mean that the earplugs will come off with respect to the Anglophone minority too? You can be damned sure I shall do all I can to get the word out.
En passant, il est tellement intéressant de voir comment le RRQ décide de blâmer Bay Street pour ce qui était entièrement décidé sur la place Riopelle par l'ancien conseil d'administration de notre cher Caisse de Défauts. Encore la modus operandi bouce-emissaire – no wonder their integrity is null, as is yours Jean.
Il semble, selon vous, la minorité est unilingue – depuis que je suis arrivé à Montréal, il y a dix ans, les statistiques on clairement indiqué 80% des Anglophones (il s'approche probablement vers 90% maintenant) sont bilingues. I'm wondering what century you are living in?
Westerner, if you believe that only Anglos have rights to lose you are wrong – all non-pure laine QCers are to lose or have lost already in many govt. institutions: freedom of expression at work within the government, the right to hold a management position (reserved only for the most quiet minorities accepting devalorisation), or prevention of advancement. Just like the way all QC has lost since the separatist militants blew our retirement money at the CDPQ, gaining nothing for anyone in the past five years – at all – making five years' work almost completely irrelevant. This is why I keep coming back to Losership. Think hard, and then figure it out – the truth is perhaps hard to bear, isn't it. A new generation will rise above this, and we shall do all we can to enlighten them. We don't live in the middle of last century Jean, get out of the time warp and listen to the great Lucien – 'soyez Lucide'. On vas nullepart avec vous les militants indépendantists.
QC still rocks and will rock on, with Canada know we know the truth – as two equal nations, not on it's own with la gang d'illusion tranquille goons, tel que Landry ou Falardeau. Two referendums and a $40BN loss by the group placed by the former Premier, the PQ's time is over – sovereignty is dead and we have to collectively bury the hatchet on it. The Liberals got the recognition required of the nation, no more appeasement shall happen, it's over, move on. The constitution shall be amended shortly, just wait and see – patience.
Ah, but hey, no, I don't know what I'm talking about…funny that, since these guys have a similar view from La Presse, maybe you can elighten yourself there mon cher Jean, en votre propre langue:
http://www.cyberpresse.ca/opinions/forums/la-presse/200903/17/01-837204-la-derive-ethnique-de-m-landry.php
http://www.cyberpresse.ca/le-droit/opinions/editoriaux/200903/13/01-836458-on-nen-sait-guere-plus.php
The symphony of cluelessness continues.
Witness:
“Plusse bow méyeur péï du monwde” that’s Jean Chrétin referring to canada. But of course, the english, with their heads firmly in their sandbox, don't notice when a politician doesn’t speak white.
Of course, they're the “worst ennemy”: they prevent Québec from being just another english province like all others where you can do business speaking white and don’t have to deal with the pesky irritant of the civil code (imagine! A civil law that can’t be made by the deepest pocketed guy!!! Oh! The humanity!!! Quick! We need another magna carta to the rescue against that evil statist french scum!!!)
A dictatorship backed by the majority of the people, you mean? In my book, this is spelt “d.e.m.o.c.r.a.c.y.”…
Signé: La Palice.
Funny that 50 years ago, the “canadiens” were the french, because the english certainly didn’t call themselves “canadians”. Yet another thing the english have taken from us (like the “O Canada” which replaced “god shave the couenne” not 50 years ago, which is the anthem of which country again???).
Of course not, anything that can disparage Québec is good.
The “separatist” elite whose mandate was changed by the very un-“separatist” liberal government that yielded the unprecedented loses we just saw???
Oh! An illuminated who worked in the holies of holies. Of course, us, the unwashed earthworms will never be able to aspire to his holyness’ purity… Yadda, yadda, yadda.
Who is your pusher, because you smoke pretty good shit, it seems.
La “magouille de la ville”, courtesy of the very liberals (and thus anglo-saxonized) Zampino, Claude “sponsorship scandal” Dauphin or Gérald Tremblay??? Yeah, those “separatists” in high places, what a disgrace!!!
Let’s talk about the change of mandate initiated by the liberal government, shall we???
Try to get service in french in many downtown stores. I’ll be charitable, I won’t mention the west-island.
Yadda, yadda, yadda. More lamenting of having to learn french.
Again, thanks to the liberal governmen’t changing the CDPQ’s mandate…
Not as hard as it is the way the english totally are not seeing between the trees like you so brilliantly demonstrate.
Ah, yes, Lucien Bouchard, yet another big money crony who want us to work hard for the big finance, yes, yes.
Well, the two nations were equal in 1867, and the english have worked hard to dominate the french and nearly drive it to irrelevence.
Yeah, right. We’ll never be equals; the english will NEVER allow that to happen. Look at how they’re howling whilst being the minority in Québec.
Oh, yes, democracy is SOOOOO expensive. Better do it the anglo-saxon way where the richest people decide for all… Muuuuuch cheaper, yes.
With the mandate changed by the current one.
After the greasing scandals from the liberals, you can count on a PQ landslide during the next election.
Oh, yes, to reduce Québec to yet another ordinary province. Jean Charest has had his mandate from Bay Street cut out for him, yes.
Bwahahahaha!!! The constitution? Amended? To what purpose? To further crush Québec? Think how this will favourize the “separatists”!!! Amending the constitution that is absolutely impregnable!!! It is cast in the hardest diamond-carbide-reinforced concrete known to man!!!
Oh, yes, how enlightening, two papers from the Desmarais mouthpiece, the federalist’s
??????…
Didi
Well, if they have nothing to sell or own very little then obviously they have no reason to stay in a province that is openly aggressive and biased against minorities. As a matter of fact a great deal of immigrants to Quebec leave within five years after realizing of what their lot in life will be in "la belle province". The oppressed would be better off where opportunties are not limited by language laws and the cause of the culture. Of course you can always be a masochist and maintain the status quo of living in Quebec. Move to the part of the country that might appreciate and embrace you. Certainly, from what I see it is not in Quebec.
"A new generation will rise above this, and we shall do all we can to enlighten them.
I doubt that will every happen. Think about the j'eune patriots, st Jean Baptites, who have been brainwashed and have the deep ingrained hatred of anglos in Quebec and for the other provinces. Sorry, that is the way it is buddy. Fact to support: where else in Canada (or the ROC) is there language laws forcing residents or immigrants to school their children in only one of the official langauges of this country which is a pharce in itself.
The problem will be solved for both Canada and Quebec when one leaves...Odd man out, I guess that would be Quebec as the other provinces get along quite well.
Over the last few decades of time there has only been one province that has been maor pain in the ass and we all know which one that is, correct. Lets count them up. FLQ crisis, two referendums creating economic problems for all of us....the sponsorship scandal..to name a few. The bribe of official bilingualism which has cost this country 100's of billions of dollars. The continued pandering of ottawa vis a vis the blackmail of Quebec against federal parties to buy votes in Quebec at the cost of monsterous dollars paid as protection. Quebec and their politicians are no more than racketeers extorting as much as they can from the rest of us. All the time crying that they are a minority and need to be protected. What is it now 40% bilingual quotas for federal jobs. All the time those civil servants in Ottawa with last names ending in "eau" or "eult" or "deau" extold their values when they are nothing but civil servants furthering the franco agenda in this country. Look at the Ottawa/Gatineau situation. Hilarious.
You cant even take an Ottawa cab from Gatineau to Ottawa, has to be a Gatineau cab with the double standard. But its ok for a Gatineau taxi to pick you up in Ottawa. More Quebec laws to protect themselves at the expense of others.
How about labor, OK for Quebec labor to work in Ontario but not vice versa.
Few facts about Quebec:
55 th worst GDP/capita of the 60 provinces and states in NA --- from Pauline Marois, herself, in the last provincial election.
On average Quebecer works 130 hours a year less than those in the ROC. Heck thats only about 3 weeks a year.
Twice the number of civil servants per capita than the ROC.
Heavens, they use up all their sick days per year (twice that of the ROC) as they are so productive and have such a great work ethic.
Quebec has never contributed a dime to equalization payments, have always been a have not province but they indicate to all of us their inherent cultural in intellectural superiority. I suppose the Caisse Depot last year was a good indication of Quebecs financial savvy. Quebec has always received the lions share of equalization payments. Last year it was over 60%, pretty good considering they are only 24% of the population. SIC. Did you know that 13% of the provincial revenue of Quebec is provided by the other provinces (8.5 billion this year) This would lead someone to believe that the beautiful province is actually a "welfare state".
Provincial debt over 120 Billion dollars. Add hydro Quebec and the crowns and it equates to over 200 Billion. Divide that by 7 million to determine how well the fiscal policy in Quebec has worked for you.
Want some more examples, I can provide others. As in the fact that hydro revenue is conveniently exempted from income for equalization purposes. This was manifested by you might correctly guess, a franco prime minister taking care of business for Quebec. Just like the National Energy Program which bankrupt business in Alberta and personal tragedy transpired with people losing their homes. On account of who Marc LaLonde and Pierre Trudeau. Where were these "prominent" people from?
As I said, the Canadian problem will be over when Quebec separates completely and entirely. No strings attached with silliness like sovereingty association or likewise cherry picking terms such as we will maintain the currency of canada. Some say as Reed Scowen in his book " its time to say goodbye" the standard of living in the rest of Canada would increase by as much as 15% if Quebec were no longer the ball and chain they have become to the other provinces.
Think for one moment about the advantages.
Quebec Gone.
No more equalization payments to Quebec! We could do withouth their tax contributions as they get it all back plus the equalization and business subside on top.
Would not need the Official Languages Act and the attendent costs in the billions of dollars on wasted programs in french in the ROC. Nothing wrong with french by the way...if you want you kids schooled in french then pay for it on your own as the germans, ukrainians and others.
No more expensive immersion educational programs in the ROC as the Official Languages act could be terminated as their would be be nor more need to appease "les joual en Quebec).
All the Quebec (and some separatist) beaurocrats could go home to Quebec saving us even more money. I am sure Quebec would welcome them with open arms to their new country.
No more discimination against the majority in the federal civil service as bilingualism would be gone. ( As would be stupid nonsense with bilingual hiring quotas where not needed) No need for it outside of Quebec which of course is "unilingually" franco in any case and would soon become english just to communicate for needs of commerce in and economy which would be in a state of turmoil and diminshing value.
For those anglos in Quebec. You could all leave the oppression you obviously are feeling and have a good life somewhere else. Think of that, a million (plus or minus) people leaving Quebec would undermine the economy entirely. You want to get back at the oppresive regime, leave in mass. Quebec has never recovered from the last out migration in 1995 and likely never will.
As I have said before, the future of Canada is that of Quebec secession for all the obvious reasons. We are continually put on a guilt /emotional trip about two founding nations and d'amour between people . What a crock of sh*t when our pockets are picked on a daily basis by one of the family.
Check out the facts and make your own decisions as to the future or what Canada is as a country. We have Canada and the "nation of Quebec" which receives many benefits and contributes nothing.
Time for Quebec to leave, and for those who oppose the current status quo in Quebec to leave. Vote with you feet.
Sorry for the rant.
Sorry, neither of you have a solution there - leaving is not an option. The goal is to fix the problem, and I mentioned how - the Commission des normes du travail is doing a great job at fighting the harassment, but has a load of work to catch up on.
I guess I have to play arbritrator, b/c neither of you have blood on both sides it seems. I do, and I don't fear either sides' bigotry.
Bouce-emmisaire as usual Jean, blame it on the mandate - a minor thing like that doesn't change an environment completely, it was ingrained from long before that. You argument, in that respect, holds no water. I wrote to you in FR, I blog in FR, what more do you want? Man, you should bitch-slap yourself - and yeah, smoke something, then it might free your mind, actually why don't you go and live in Australia for a little bit, say Melbourne - great city for you to think of something other than scapegoating and bitterness while chilling on St. Kilda beach.
http://dbhive.blogspot.com/2008/07/fichiers-journaux-de-transactions.html
http://dbhive.blogspot.com/2008/07/meilleure-pratique-nom-complet-des.html
http://dbhive.blogspot.com/2008/07/meilleures-pratiques-sql-serveur-2005.html
http://dbhive.blogspot.com/2008/07/sql-server-20058-query-hints.html
There are some great head doctors that both of yoiu should visit I think, there's too much ignorance to answer here.
Bwahahahaha! With tired clichés that only heighten your cluelessness???
There is only one official language in Québec, french, just as there is only one official language in Ontario (or Alberta, for that matter).
The 1867 constitution that the english rammed down our throat clearly says that language is a provincial jurisdiction.
If you’re not happy, go change the constitution. Good luck!
You mean the “crisis” when the mafia minister who was to be indicted for racketeering was conveniently kidnapped by the most infiltrated “terrorist” group in History? How convenient for the new prime minister Bourassa to avoid a major scandal, and at the same time eliminating a much more popular rival…
Ah, yes, the economic “uncertainty” caused by Québec not deciding to leave… Yes… Separation really would have killed that “uncertainty”; the “uncertainty” is only wrought about the english.
Ah, yes, the sponsorship scandal, wrought about by FRENCH FEDERALIST POLITICIANS FROM QUÉBEC, who could never have acceeded to their posts of power without showing the utmost fidelity towards the english! Yes!
Bwahahaha!!! The cliché goes that only the english know things about money. You are utterly destroying that cliché. Hundreds of billions of dollars! You’re so clueless it ceases to be funny, but I laugh anyways because as a separatist, I have to be devoid of morals!!!
That’s because there is far more people in Québec than Alberta. That’s called “democracy”, something that does not sits well with money, it should be said…
No, they’re elected officials doing what they were elected for: looking after the needs of people in Québec, just as the elected officials from Alberta look after the needs of people in Alberta.
It just happens that there are more elected official coming from Québec than from Alberta. It’s nothing personal, really! No, I’m serious, we don’t know much about the people out west — if we did, we’d have left sooner!
Well, yes. You would not want uneducated people working for the government, don’t you? That would be a terrible affront to the taxpayer’s dollars!
Very funny indeed. But, seriously, this is yet another stupid rant because, deep down inside them, the english don’t want to learn french.
Just like you can’t take a US cab in Windsor or Niagara Falls. The cabs just aren’t allowed to take patrons outside the area of their license. You’re just looking for yet another bogus excuse to shit on Québec, as usual.
Not at all. Ottawa police will conduct sting operations on Wellington street, with towing trucks waiting on Portage bridge. I know, I lived 2 years in a condo with a view on the Portage bridge (on the Ottawa side), and when we walked back home from Hull (the only decent bars there are in Hull) on Portage bridge, it was hilarious to see the trapped Hull cabbies facing the prospect of a week-end with their cab impounded until monday afternoon…
Because in Québec, you actually have to show COMPETENCE for what you’re doing. Québec has had so much problems with bogus employees used by contractors to drive out unions (and fostering riots and vandalism) that they had to enact strict laws governing construction workers.
Funny that this happens while Québec is in Canada, eh? I mean, it wouldn’t be the case if Canada was so much better for Québec, eh? And by the way Canada adamantly clings to Québec, it must be that Canada gets much more from Québec than Québec gets from Canada, eh? I mean, the english hate the french so much that they definitely must get something back in return, eh?
That’s because we value “quality time”, and you only value money. And life is cheaper in Québec so we can AFFORD to get more “quality time”. Our houses are cheaper so we don’t spend every waking moment to pay off the mortgage, to the point of not even being able to maintain the house…
And more than twice the services from the government.
Well, I don’t know a single anglo-saxon, protestant businessman who doesn’t take advantage of an opportunity; who doesn’t exploit every single legal advantage given to him.
Why wouldn’t french québécois do the same? Ooooh, they’re filthy french, that’s why. The opportunities, it’s only for the rich english!!!
Well, of course! Québec is where the higher industry (pharma, aerospace) is, compared to Ontario (moribund auto industry producing unsellable pieces of trash) or Alberta (tar sands getting less and less relevant as their high-pollution and high cost make it a less and less palatable proposition).
Yes, thanks to the changes of mandates the liberal (read: english) party has instituted.
Well, change the law if you’re not happy. Again, why a businessman would ignore an opportunity is beyond me.
No, it’s Canada that’s the welfare place. We paid $12 billion in federal taxes. It’s only normal we would get back 8.5 billion to pay for what the federal won’t provide for us.
You are mixing apples and oranges here. But what else to expect from someone who says that bilingualism has cost hundreds of billions of dollars…
Now, look at how the federal debt has ballooned under Mulroney… If we had bailed-out in 1980, we would not have been stuck with it like we are right now.
Well, yes! It has to be. First, WE FINANCED THIS OURSELVES on the international markets, because the great canadian financiers would not give us a penny. Second, hydro power uses runoff water, because that runs on the surface, something that the constitution says is provincial. The same constitution that says that MINERAL RESSOURCES (oil, coal, etc.) belong to the CROWN, which keeps all to itself.
You guys are really stupid to worship a queen that STEALS your ressources!!!!
You mean Trudeau? The one who called the army to imprison his political ennemies? The one who screwed Québec with the constitution so much that nearly 30 years later, Québec no longer votes liberal?
Bwahahaha!!!! The NEP hasn’t been for 25 years! And you still whine about it! Well, enjoy your unprofitable, polluting tar sands, now.
From very safe Québec ridings, elected in districts where the french are a tiny minority of electors… “Prominent” people that were given high powers after demonstrating total fidelity and faithfulness to the english…
Canada won’t be able to prevent Québec from using it’s dollar anymore than the US can prevent Cuba from doing the same.
Well, then why do you so desperately cling to us like you do? I’ll tell you why: if you do so, you will lose the high-tech know-how that’s currently in Québec; you will be stuck with a bunch of uneducated unemployable auto factory workers, and a handful of financiers, parasites whose “real work” consists of shuffling paper about and sucking up the HARD WORK put by HONEST WORKERS.
Yes! No more high tech! No more aerospace! No more pharma research! Only redneck fundamentalist prayer-oriented endeavours!!! That will be a real advanced country, about as advanced as Saudi Barbaria is today!
We would do fine too! We’d trade $12 billion for that paltry $8 billion. I just wonder how is Canada gonna make up for the $4 billion short fall. Oh, I know! By raising taxes!!!
“Hundreds of billions of dollars”, remember, no? But we already pay for french education with our taxes. We also pay taxes to finance english education for a minority that will forever be hostile!
Geee! What a bunch of suckers we are!
“You think education is expensive? Try ignorance!” (Derek Bok — president of Harvard, 1971–1990)
Well, yes, we’ll need the people competent to administer the programs they used to provide us.
Paradise! The english would no longer humbled by the french!
Ha! If they could have left, they would have got their promotions to the Mississauga branch office a long time ago!
What migration? Oh, yes! The one that drove the price of houses down so more people could afford houses! Now, that’s economic savvy!!!
What a crock of shit, yes, given how you really show what the english care about us.
We contribute the biggest thing possible, something the english will NEVER be able to: making Canada distinct from the USA. Without us, you’ll just be New-Maine, Nova-Hampshire, Prince-Delaward Island, Newfoundyork, Ontaryllvannia, North Manikota, New-Saskatexo, Nevarta and American Columbia.
Yeah! Good riddance! Bon débarras!!!
Oh, no, you’re not sorry. In fact, you enjoy this en masse! Just as I enjoy rubbing your nose in your clueless statements! Go ahead! Post another clueless tirade I’ll happily shot in flames!!!
You shot nothing down in flames but to show your vitriol hatred and ignorance once again.
For instance the 12 billion you send Ottawa. Tell me how much they transfer back to you in education, health and abatement tax. Then get back to me about the plus minus between Quebec and the ROC. Go ahead go research the figures...heaven's you might learn some reality.
Johnny boy, you and you separatist friends have failed and will continue to fail, unfortunately.
Failure John, quit trying to defends Quebec's record and spend more time on working towards separation. More beneficial than trying to sell the sold.
I don't need any convincing on the fact the Quebec should leave as I have stated. Why would you even respond to someone who agrees with you. Again, your hatred of anglos and everything anglo is a common feeling in Quebec.
We value Quality of life blah blah blah, we enjoy lower priced housing, blah blah.
Admit it Johnny, what you really enjoy is spending other peoples money --- ;);) You know, the same ones you criticize all the time.
Excuses excuses excuses...face the facts.
"There are some great head doctors that both of yoiu should visit I think, there’s too much ignorance to answer here."
Oh come on, this problem will never be fixed unless one of two things happen.
Quebec leaves and goes on their own.
Quebec stays in Canada as an equal partner with the other provinces with no special rights or compensations as they presently receive. (read special nation status within Canada)
BTW- refute the facts if you think they are not correct. I would be happy to provide some reference for you as this article.
http://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.com/index.cfm?PgNm=TCE&Params=M1ARTM0013039
It would be good riddance both economically and socially.
"Sorry, neither of you have a solution there - leaving is not an option."
WHY not?
"Oh, no, you’re not sorry. In fact, you enjoy this en masse! Just as I enjoy rubbing your nose in your clueless statements! Go ahead! Post another clueless tirade I’ll happily shot in flames!!!"
Your are laughable with you excuses and weak rationale.. Why not give me some facts to back up you idle subjective comments. More facts and less rationalization Johnny. The only thing you shoot Johnny, is yourself in the foot as many others in Quebec. Vous fait me rire, encore!
"I do, and I don’t fear either sides’ bigotry."
Stating facts is not bigotry Hugo. Might not be politically correct where no one in Canada is supposed to criticize Quebec. Of course political correctness is just a blindfold to mask the truth in most cases.
"We contribute the biggest thing possible, something the english will NEVER be able to: making Canada distinct from the USA. Without us, you’ll just be New-Maine, Nova-Hampshire, Prince-Delaward Island, Newfoundyork, Ontaryllvannia, North Manikota, New-Saskatexo, Nevarta and American Columbia."
Yes, try and get decent service in Florida if they suspect you of being a Canadian. Or in Cuba, or in DR or Mexico. They don't have much time for you until they realize that Canada is actually two countries and not all speak french. There is so much love for the distinctness brought to us by Quebecois and their attitudes. (I suppose not tippingvery well and talking down to service staff is another unique distinction - you who so embrace other cultures- aka hypocrite).
Hugo,
Why are you writing him in French? I thought this was an English page. And don't you think it's none of his business what languages you speak?