CFN – This morning some members of the Language Fairness for All group used a homemade train as their latest vehicle to promote awareness of what they see as increasingly discriminatory hiring policies at area places of employment. Amid cries that members of the Anglophone majority are being forced to: “take the train west” in order to get a decent job, the Sydney Street offices of the Eastern Ontario Health Unit was the latest site in a series of ongoing “Acts of Activism” organized by the group, which has supporters across Canada and even some in the United States.
Among the group’s growing number of allies is human rights activist Howard Galganov ( www.galganov.com ), who joined today’s Act of Activism. When Health Unit management told the group to get off of Health Unit (taxpayer) property, Galganov declined to comply. A single Cornwall Police officer was dispatched, and it appeared that the quiet demonstrator was about to be arrested. Later a police supervisor arrived. While our camera was rolling on the nearby City sidewalk, Galganov was interviewed by police, but not charged – at least not at this point in time. Later when the camera isn’t around … time will tell.
One of the demonstrators borrowed my pen to write a cheque in support of the activist’s efforts. In our video clip she explains her motivation to do so.
In the video clip, LFA members and supporters make clear why they are devoting time and energy in lobbying for changes to policies, laws and the manner in which some language laws are being interpreted. Cory Cameron now resides in the Timmins area. Hearing him speak very well in English and French, one would never guess that this Cornwall born man has been told that he’s not bilingual (French) enough to work in Cornwall.
At noon, the close of the demonstration, Galganov and the others left the site as planned. Police did thank the LFA group for being respectful in making its public witness. Many drivers and passersby demonstrated a show of support for the member’s efforts.
Previous Acts of Activism have taken place at the Cornwall Community Hospital and the French health care clinic on Sydney Street. More Acts are planned for diverse sites in the coming months. The issue is much broader than simply being limited to the health care professionals.
LFA seeks to restore some balance in hiring practices which it sees as highly favouring the minority 4% of Francophone Canadians (outside of non-bilingual Quebec). Even though Francophones (not Anglophones who’ve learned some French) are one minority among other minorities in the nation, 100% French/English bilingualism is being tauted as the new normal.
Members of LFA plan to participate in Galganov’s fundraising BBQ lunch this Saturday (August 11, 2012) at noon at Maple Ponds Equestrian Center in Williamstown where he and his wife Anne reside. All proceeds go to their battle for Freedom of Expression.
Patrick Boucher, did you know that Mr.Galganov supports French only signs in Ontario, if that’s what you want (freedom of expression) bet you didn’t. And Stella! According to the 2006 Canadian census, 575,555 (7.6% of population) in Quebec declare English as their only mother tongue, 744,430 (10%) use mostly English as their home language, and 994,723 (13.4%) comprise the Official Language Minority, having English as their First Official language spoken.[WIKIPEDIA. I’m assuming you support bilingualism for all the nurses etc. in Qc. since the %age of English mother toungue is greater than that of Ontario.
@ Stella lmfao you have to be kidding me…saying the French have to much “class” to stoop that low?? Hahahaha where have you been? Hiding under a rock??? Quebec is whine, fight, control, retaliate and protest central…nice try though. How about you come up with something that makes sense. You’d be pleased to know the english have finally learned from the French that the only way to get our way is to be as loud, irritating and demanding as all of you! Works wonders for French. Sadly, if this group were frenchman complaining about jobs the government would have been there kissing ass a long time ago. Go back to dreamland.
You know Patrick and Stella, French is a minority in Canada and it’s not our fault, you should really stop being so demanding. What the hell do you want!!!!!!! or are you so self centered that EVERYONE should go out of their way to please you?
Hey liz……..thinking you should read before you post. I did not say french, I said the people from the clinic would not stoop that low….Capish??? You see, they are professional people, it’s more then what you can say about the rallies.
Know what Liz….it’s not our fault you didn’t make the right choices in life and that is to learn french. This country has two official languages…Capish? Something should have clued in before now Capish? How you can blame your demise on others is very irresponsible. Not too late to take the initiative now…many have and it paid off. Just looking out for you **smile**
Hello Elizabeth,
Be careful as you get dragged into a debate with ethnocentrics extraordinaire Stella and Patrick. I like the fact that you quoted Wikipedia but Stella will no doubt nail you for it as she felt to point it out to me twice that it wasn’t a reputable source…
Trying to talk sense into either one is like trying to get blood from a stone – an impossibility. Your best bet instead of trying to argue with them is to do your own bit of activism. Write a letter to the editor about the issue for instance. Write a letter to your M.P., M.P.P or both. It is empowering and will make you feel like your’re making a difference in our democracy. This will be especially empowering if not only do you feel strongly about the issue but also if you have encountered these unfair hiring policies.
@stella
Your consistent, yet increasing lack of respect for other posters, (including new ones) is horrible. I feel sorry for how out of control you must feel, having to alter most people’s names and write in caps. You better give it a break or you are going to need therapy soon……just saying.
BTW Stella some of us englishmen still have jobs, much to your disappointment. That’s why we’re not there.
Hey everyone,
Let’s not forget preferred status for gov’t grants/proposals that list Francophone organizations – all you have to do is checkmark the box!
Tell me how that is fair and equitable in a democracy!
So if that means that I speak a certain language I have preferential treatment?
By the way, while I’m here, check this out http://www.sunnewsnetwork.ca/sunnews/politics/archives/2012/08/20120809-173751.html
“Not too late to take the initiative now…many have and it paid off.”
Oh yes Stella! It has paid lucrative returns for me! With the thousands I paid for my education (bilingual) I now have a highly challenging career stocking grocery shelves.
Your arguments are shallow and non-convincing Stella.
Oh stella at it again spreading propaganda .
Have you told these fine people that you are a Government worker who is ETHNOCENTRIC -not very kind of words to muslims and other cultures .
As well as the fact you felt uncomfortable in the most ethnically diverse city in the world NEW YORK –
WHY? they didn’t practice ETHNOCENTRIC FRENCH?
You are damaged goods -very biased!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
But all are welcome here -please do not push your ETHNOCENTRISM on anyone-wait a minute Canadian governments already does that for you!
Now stella where is your partner in crime -Patrick ?
Where is Daddy’s little separatist ?
There are a few that fear the will lose the ADVANTAGE that they have -but those people must remember that -APARTHEID was government policy as well .
To those few that fight for THEIR Advantage SEGREGATION was Government policy as well…….now did the oppressors fight -hell yes the did -they did not want to lose their SUPERIORITY.
WELCOME ETHNOCENTRISM
@ Shawn re: comment August 9, 2012 at 7:22 pm.
Well said…
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@concerned citizen 2
Not surprising but, thanks for the heads up.
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@Touchez
French is NOT, and SHOULD NOT be equal in this country.
The numbers simply do not warrant it.
–
Besides, it sure looks “prominent” in the province of Quebec where English is more or less outlawed. Maybe you can explain that.
And…
@Stella, Patrick, and Touchez
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And, maybe you can explain why (in this video)
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http://youtu.be/BceqgZjUgU8
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the Canadian flag has to be defended in a province that is within the COUNTRY of Canada.
–
Not to mention explaining why the English people and the English language (in a place where you say there is equality) are treated with such little respect.
OMG….it’s attack stellabystarlight day!!!! I see your frustration coming through. Relax folks…….I will say like the song
Come on people now…smile on your brother
Everybody get toegether try to love one another right now **s**
Where do I begin…have a busy day today.
Highlander…..thank-you for your kind words…..but let me say, I replied to that comment about other cultures and must add it shut you up for awhile, so I guess my post proved your accusations wrong. As for spreading propaganda……your leader is doing a fine job of that……just don’t focus on me hon….**smile**
Know what Cory…education alone does not cut it. Many other things come into play when applying for work…
Hello Stella…Thankfully, Canada is not a bilingual country, but simply has two official languages. As YOU well know, because ROC is 97% English (with Quebec taken out of equation). Clearly, this indicates that Canada is overwhelmingly ENGLISH!!!! Better learn to deal with it:, don’t you think???
Ontario is also overwhelmingly ENGLISH with 96% majority of citizens. The French minority only accounts for 4% of total population with 2% being unilingually French and 2% being bilingual.
Surely, even you would agree that it makes more sense to teach the two percentage of that unilingual French…ENGLISH! Think of the costs, expenses and waste that would eliminate. Think of all the monies, effort and time that could be relocated to issues that benefit ALL Canadians and not just a linguistic minority. Personally, think that health care, military/defense, elderly/children and the environment would benefit, big time!
I realize that you don’t care about anybody but yourself, as clearly demonstrated by your multiple, rabid postings. I have to wonder if you even have a job or are employed by a government agency??? Some of us, actually work for a living!
Whether YOU like it or not, Canada is part of the global community and, like the majority on this continent (Canada and the United States), we are ENGLISH and here to stay:)
*smiling right back at you*
edudyorlik wrote:
“And, maybe you can explain why (in this video)
–
http://youtu.be/BceqgZjUgU8
–
the Canadian flag has to be defended in a province that is within the COUNTRY of Canada.
–
Not to mention explaining why the English people and the English language (in a place where you say there is equality) are treated with such little respect.”
Well Stella and company: Are you going to respond to edudyorlik’s question?
Do please elaborate Stella on your comment, “Know what Cory…education alone does not cut it. Many other things come into play when applying for work…”
Please do elaborate only after reading my postings concerning my volunteerism, research of an organization, contacting that organization and possibly joining their Board of Directors as preparation to the interview.
Cory
You would make a fantastic politician Stella as you seem to dance around subject matter…
Oh yes. where were you at the rally? You said you weren’t able to make it, right? Despite saying that you would have been there in a couple of posts…
If you’re not willing to even post under your real name I feel that your cowardice is exponential…..
Would be different though in Quebec? Right Stella…..
You and your cronies could egg English minorities till the cows came home with no repercussions? Kind of like the Mohawks returning to Oka getting nailed with stones from the good citizens of Oka? See video starting at 1:48 (You don’t even have to search for it dear, here it is: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IQgdPD7NSKw
I wonder how many student protesters have faced criminal charges after criminal disruptive behaviour in Quebec…burning cars, breaking windows, etc……hymm makes one or two or many people wonder…
Hymm, 12 peaceful protesters (some of which actually helped little old ladies cross the road that day) get the response of 2 police officers in 2 cruisers in Cornwall Ontario.
Patrick you never commented on my comment that Mr. Galganov (as some like to call him, “a racist towards the French) supports French only signs. (Freedom of choice) Have you nothing to say concerning this, or is this something you choose to ignore?
@Cory –
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Glad to see that you re-stated my challenge for an explanation to those folk Cory. However, it is VERY unlikely that those of this ilk will take up the challenge as it seems obvious that whenever they are confronted with “reality” , “fact” and or “truth” they are completely silent and in some cases downright dismissive. This reminds me of two quotes i have comes across…
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1 – “Facts do not cease to exist because they are ignored.”
― Aldous Huxley,
– AND —
2- “The truth will set you free, but first it will piss them off.”
― Gloria Steinem
Beth Trudeau spokesperson of Canadians for LAnguage Fairness:
I will be on the SUN NEWS weekend show with Brian Sunday morning, LIVE, at 10:40 AM talking about Official Languages Czar Graham Fraser’s waste of our tax dollars hiring people to seek out complaints on French language services ACROSS CANADA because he doesn’t get any complaints to his office and therefore cannot justify his job. What a crock!
Please watch!!!!
Good interview Beth Trudeau ;
It begs to question $ 90,000 spent on airport spies -for the 39 complaints last year -therefore $ 2307.69 spent per complaint .
Does the Bureaucracy need to find work?
Or is this a make work project and appease the french voters ?
That $ 2307.69 would have been better spent in many social avenues of which there would have been a humanitarian benefit,rather then vote bribing .
We need national discussion on the need for OLA –
WE NEED A REFERENDUM to allow Canadians to voice their concerns !
Quebec is not bilingual why must the other provinces be ?
For that 4% REALLY?
That 4% costs Canada now 3.1 trillion -yes trillion thats a lot of zeros for appeasement-pay our national debt off six times over with that -but please keep the 4% happy GOVERNMENT and the remaining 96 % in MISERY !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
elisabeth, how can you support french only signs when you hand out pamphlets saying that you want to exterminate the franco ontarien culture.
– how do you support french only signs when your an admitted francophobe.
– that man is an attention seaker. The only reason he said he supports french only signs is that he wants to put up his english only signs. I just wonder how many dollars he gave back for the waste and abuse of the court system he’s responsible for. Looks like his anglo buddies are willing to help him out by giving him some donations.
– Howard tu ne fais que brasser de la merde, tu devrais retourner au Québec, au moins là tu as plus de légitimité.
Those figures are frustrating…THEY DON’T ADD UP. MAn, if you feel you have to lie to prove your point. Your position is on shaky ground. add it yourself.. 2.1 billion times 41 years…it does cost lest in the beginning …add yourself. LAnguagefairyness must really be desperate.!!!!!
Oh Patrick -stop spreading propaganda!
Look at the pamphlets -under the charter section 2b it violates freedom of expression -NO government should tell you what to put up on your business signs !
If that person chooses to put their sign in Italian where no Italian exists -then its their chose -and yes it would be at THEIR loss.
But that should be their choice !
In Quebec bill 101 violates freedom of expression but Quebec uses the notwithstanding clause of which Canada has been chastised by the United Nations as a form of language genocide.
So to you this may mean “stirring the shit “-was the same said for the civil rights movement?
yorlik……and the rest of the crew…….All I have to say is instead of harping on questions that were answered 800 times, go back and read all the post that answered those questions a 1,000 times. **s**
As for you Mr. Cory, I would have liked to add why there is more to an interview then credentials…..but I doubt they would post it **s**
Well my hats off to you for at least calling me Mr.!
I guess it displays some integrity.
Cory
We can not allow the French to ‘take over’ our society. Equality by the numbers …yes, but NOT by their demand of a reversal of the 80/20 rule in government. That is totally stupid.
Correction: go back and read the 1,000 post that answered that question 800 times……..Voila, before you all attack me once again.
Cory, what babe Stella meant is that you are not pur laine. You don’t even have a French name! Another obstacle is that you speak the real French language which local francophones do not understand.
Well, highlander you have to read the whole charter to understand. You can’t put your sign in german, saying jews aren’t welcome. IF you promote minorities, protect language rights, guaranteed education in your own language…that is not a sin.
You need permission from the town to put up any business sign ..they have the right to put any requirement they want to represent their town….and the courts agree ..
You see Dave the rights of the few trump the rights of the many!
I don’t agree with everything on bill 101 but it does serve a purpose. …and what does Québec have to do with russell … agree with it or not..if you disagree with Québec…doesnt make it ok to do the same ..or worse in Ontario.
Did you read my post or did you have an answer ready after just reading my name. I never said i disagreed with freedom of expression…but it even that has restrictions. You can’t promote hate crime, you can’t be racist or discriminate against a person, and you can’t promote the extermination of a race or culture..(like handing out pamphlets saying how to do it )
Sure, lets have the same rights anglos have in Québec.. We’d be better off…. Québec has no lessons to take from ontario or any other province on language issues. But then again, is Cornwall in Québec ? Why again are we talking about Québec… we are in Ontario.
Patrick so you agree with bill 101
Not surprised that you disagree with freedom of speach as bill 101 does not allow freedom of speach.
But coming from a son of a separatist -and you claim to be unbiased?
So should Ontario have its own bill 101 as this seems fair for Quebec to implement?
Is that right Patrick,it that how you see it?
But its what you have agreed to!
Would it not be the same as all other provinces to ban French ?
I will quote Highlander
French first right Patrick ,French first.
Best video I’ve seen yet-time for people to talk about the government’s discriminatory policies.
YOU ARE NOT A BIGOT OR RACIST BECAUSE YOU STAND UP FOR YOUR RIGHTS!!!
I love Howard at end of video…Sitting on grass in front of EOHU.
I am truly dismayed how the police would try to TRICK us into thinking we were somehow breaking the law….when clearly we were not. The EOHU is public property paid by my & your tax dollars.It is our democratic right to protest peacefully!!!
Thank-you Howard for your tenacity!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BceqgZjUgU8&feature=em-share_video_user
@Patrick “The only reason he said he supports french only signs is that he wants to put up his english only signs'”^^^ What??….. that should be his right as well as yours to put up FRENCH ONLY SIGNS, comprends-tu? “How to exterminate the French language……… FORCE them to put up bilingual signs!!!! Don’t you want the RIGHT to have French only signs to protect your language? ??? you just don’t get it Patrick…………It’s called Freedom of expression. You missed the point. Anyway… that’s it for me on this subject, if you don’t understand the concept of freedom of expression…….. what can I say.
His and your freedom of expression are different then mine. My freedom of expression is print or say whatever you want but in a respectful way. I’d also had that you’d have to obey the laws. I couldnt on my property put up a 100ft by 100ft sign saying jews aren’t welcome in german.
Again, Russell township was right to guarantee signs in both official languages. The town is roughly 55% to 45% . That’s not too much to ask for. And in that case its equal rights, Comprends-tu que ce n’est pas trop demandé. Arrête de te pleindre le ventre plein.!!
@ patrick
So you have your own vision of freedom of expression?
So you believe in Government forcing you to put your business signs up in what they dictate?
How many business owners would agree with that?
WOW, Patrick, even Jean-Serge Brisson did not think his French signs should be bilingual -he believed it’s a freedom of expression!
So let the businesses choose what they want on their own signs; if you don’t, you do not believe in capitalism?
ARGGGGG 26 and still wet between the ears!
Do you think I could put a 100 ft by 100 ft sign in front of my business in german. Nope. I would have to go within the bylaws of the town. So why not make it all english, to attract more business, and it is also a question of your health. It appears that in recent studies being bilingual helps you against alzheimers.
¨L’avantage bilingue dans l’attention et le contrôle cognitif pourrait avoir des bénéfices importants et à long terme. Des preuves préliminaires suggèrent même que l’utilisation accrue de ces systèmes pourrait protéger les bilingues contre la maladie d’Alzheimer.¨http://www.insoliscience.fr/?Les-bilingues-ont-des-benefices
Freedom of expression..I am all for it…mais pas au dépend de n’importe quoi ,
Patrick has hiit the nail on the head. “I’d also ad that you’d have to obey the laws”
Get a few like minded people on your side
Get some politicians on your side
Add or change a law
Go to court
You have your way – time consuming but easy enough.
Nice try Patrick, we covered the alzhimer cognitive thing months ago. Exerciising the mind even in one language, works too.
ok Canada spends about 2,1 billion a year according to fraser research. So, 2.1 billion out of a total budget of roughly 300 billion a year in revenues, not even 1 % of the total budget. It seems to me we should be looking at other venues instead of bilingualism. 50 billion for the conservative slush fund they wasted by promoting the Action plan, 35 billion on planes… If stephen harper is a fiscal economist I’m an underwear model with a 32 inc waist.
Patrick your grasping at straws
that isn’t grasping at straws,instead sir or madam, refute my point with something logical.
I guess you are an underwear model !
If you were informed you would realize that the 50 billion Action Plan was implemented at the bequest of the other parties.
In fact billions spent extending UI benifits at the request of NDP and numerous liberal requests at additional social benefits of which are quite extensive.
Originally with the minority government they had not wished to run a deficit ,yet through social measures -appeasement of the other parties it was implemented-so look it up its all there.
I wonder why I wast my time with educating the uniformed or is it misinformed?
Oh ya its 2.4 billion -but that’s only 300 million difference right?
Think of what the 3.1 trillion spent on bilingualism over the years could have went to? instead up upping those bilingual numbers by .6% over 42 years -yes I said .6% growth in bilingualism!-for that 210,000 people.
So 3.1 trillion divided by 210,000 growth = $14,761.90 so was it a good return on investment?I think not!
How many poor or disadvantaged people that money could have helped? OR pay off the National debt 6x over!
@ Patrick
HA! HA! HA! Is that all you got???? Bilingualism helps prevent Alzheimers! So does using your left hand instead of your right one you nitwit!!!!!!!
I double checked, fraser institute did have 2.4 billion as the true cost of bilingualism. BUT, after 40 years, the cost don’t amount to 3.1 trillion. Added it yourself, 2.4 times 40 years. I can guess your post, your going to add the fictitious billions of lost opportunity unilingual anglos didn’t get. Well maybe cory believes that but not me.
The Canadian action plan was a conservative project. Using government money, they blew billions of dollars on special project, millions on just photo ops and publicity. And on top of everything else, the money went mostly to conservative ridings. You must have seen those big checks with the conservative logo. No wonder tony clement got re elected, no wonder stephen harper got a majority government, we were blinded by our own money.
With all do respect to myself, my career as an underwear model won’t come any time soon. Isn’t still only 0.008 % of the total budget. Bilingualism costs 0.008 % of the total budget of Canada. Are we just complaining about 0.008 %… Sheesh….
What about the billions of dollars going to rebuild Syria……..yet they are still killing our soldiers. Thinking you should start another group. Ask galganov for his Kubota and have a rally at the cenotaph….
That cause would serve the majority of the country and not just the unilingual english of Cornwall.
Our soldiers in Syria and billions spent there? Mon amie, you have got Alzheimer, your bilingualism did not help you stay sane.
American soldiers….. start reading the newspapers maybe you will learn what is going on in the world ……it may broaden your horizons. Canada has sent money just recently to Syria…….**s**
That frustrates you, doesn’t it Stella. You don’t care for the money Canada spends on immigrants either. Or the money that is spent on natives? Is yours the only cause that should be funded? Do you think you should get more billiions than you already do?