CFN – On Saturday, at his sprawling Maple Ponds Equestrian Centre in Williamstown, human rights activist Howard Galganov and his wife Anne hosted a bbq lunch, rally and fundraiser. About 100 invited guests from places such as Cornwall and area, Ottawa, Toronto, Timmins, Montreal, and further afield, enjoyed the burgers, sausages, salads and desserts over conversation. They also received an update on the battle for freedom of expression in Canada.
Galganov rallied the troops with his words: “This campaign has become invigorated … we’re no longer playing defence; we’re playing offence. We’re not going to wait for yet another law to come and take away our rights … We have choices in life and they’re simple. It’s fight or flight. … Don’t allow anyone to ever tell you that you’re a racist or a bigot or anti-French because you’re standing up for your rights to be a majority. … We are 96% of the population and it’s time that we behaved like 96% of the (Ontario) population.”
Galganov was quick to point out that he’s not advocating any kind of a witch hunt and that this isn’t a battle between English and French. He reiterated his previous promise never to support a discriminatory Bill 101 type of law here in Ontario. Identifying the source of the issue, Galganov pointed out that: “There is a small group of Franco activists who are going to do whatever they can to usurp our rights.” It has been noted that, in Cornwall, La Société pour la Promotion du Bilinguisme has been going door to door advising business people of their “obligations under the law.”
He addressed the topic of the recent court ruling in Ontario’s Russell Township and outlined a plan of action to counter it. A group of French language activists in Ontario’s Russell Township (a community of 15,000 near Ottawa) was unsatisfied that only 70% of local commercial establishments displayed bilingual signs (in unilingual English Ontario), so they lobbied municipal Council to force the issue. Amid great controversy, Council passed a by-law by a vote of 3-2, which requires all new exterior commercial signs to be English/French bilingual, with the size and style of lettering being identical in both languages. Seeing this as an unnecessary infringement, two area residents challenged the bylaw. The owner of a radiator repair shop, Jean-Serge Brisson is fully bilingual, but chose to erect a sign that displayed the business name in English and its services in French. Howard Galganov, a bilingual Anglophone had posted a sign only in English. In 2010 the Superior Court of Justice ruled against both men. Subsequently the Court of Appeal ruled that the bylaw does indeed violate citizens’ Charter rights to freedom of expression. Quoting the Supreme Court of Canada, the Appeal court stated that: “Freedom consists in an absence of compulsion.” Incredibly the Appeal court went on to say that the violation was reasonable and justified.
Galganov Dot Com Inc and the Ottawa based Canadians for Language Fairness have joined forces to spearhead a Supreme Court challenge to the Ontario Court of Appeal decision which permits the violation of Non-Francophone Charter rights. The challenge will be on the basis that, by forcing people to use the language of others, the ruling violates section 2b of the Charter of Rights and Freedoms, which was created to guarantee freedom of expression.
Other planned activities include a campaign whereby full colour glossy brochures are being delivered to businesses in small town Ontario, educating them on the extent to which minority French language rights have trampled on the rights of those functioning in another language in Ontario and possibly soon in the rest of Canada. Here’s a snapshot from the brochure which invites others to join in funding the court battle.
Guests included some members of the allied language rights groups: Canadians for Language Fairness and the local Language Fairness for All as well as some politicians and political candidates. Many “ordinary folk” came out to show their support as well.
Bryan McGillis, Mayor of South Stormont, was in attendance. He agreed to explore the legal implications closely, and may opt to seek the support of his Council to pass a resolution guaranteeing that South Stormont will never introduce a bylaw that takes away from the Charter of Rights and Freedoms. Further, should South Stormont pass such a bylaw, McGillis will table a motion that the municipality propose to other municipalities that they adopt a similar stance.
The video clip below is included as part of a DVD package which is being promoted by Canadians for Language Fairness as a “how we got into this mess” brief explanation.
Being a gracious host, as part of the gathering Galganov invited guests to enjoy five miles of groomed trails including a picnic area in the pines. Some even got to view it aboard his Kubota and wagons – a ride which rivals many a midway, but cannot be purchased at any price!
Debbie………don’t kid yourself…..no one thought it came from you………LMAO!!!!
Typical rude stella
NOT SURPRISED ***smile***
Highlander…does seems a shame that we can’t block users who abuse these forums and other posters!
Course, wonder if Stella realizes that SHE is actually helping further our Cause with her prolific posting attempts at “stirring the pot”!
Probably, should be thanking her:)))
*smile* (with special nod to Stella, of course)
On Aug/14, Patrick Boucher posted this:
“well 140 thousand dollars is alot of money, I just wonder how much money howard has reimbursed so far. The man puts signs in front of a store to say boycott french owned stores. He hands out pamphlets that explains how to exterminate the franco ontarian culture.. AND WE ARE THE BAD GUYS HERE!”
I got a copy of that flyer. Patrick’s reading skills stopped at the cover page which says, “how to wipe out the Franco/Ontarian language & culture – ban any stand alone use of the French language – make it illegal”.
Isn’t this what has been done by the Russell Township sign by-law?
Jean-Serge Brisson’s business sign is all in French and that is now illegal. J.S. owns & operates a Radiator Repair Shop in Embrun. His sign is in French only – that is his right as a private business man to advertise how he wishes.
The same right should be given to EVERY business-owner to advertise to whomever he/she chooses. Why should they be forced to advertise ONLY in English & French? Why has Canada suddenly become a Fascist state, dictating how we do business?
Colleen……..if I am helping your cause, why would you want to block me **smile**
I’ve just read all the comments to this excellent article by Don Smith and I am very happy that so many people are fighting back. This is long over-due and it is just a matter of time before more Canadians start to understand that running the country to suit a small minority (3% outside Quebec) is asinine and totally unacceptable. It took a very committed socialist (some even say he was a Communist) like Pierre Trudeau to grab the opportunity in 1982 to patriate our Constitution and in the process to insert the Official Languages Act and the accompanying Charter – both giving the French the tools to dominate the country.
The French-speakers are the only ones to benefit from this change and of course, they are fighting tooth & nail to defend it. BTW, Colleen, Quebec said they did not “sign” the Proclamation. NO province signed it because they didn’t have to. The only signatures on the document are those of the Queen, Pierre E. Trudeau, Jean Chretien & Andre Ouellette. Apart from the Queen, the others were ALL French-speakers and ALL Quebecers!!! They were happy to sign the Proclamation because they knew that this would hand their small group the key to power.
The excuse given was that it would unite the country by making Quebec feel “more at home”. The real reason is that they knew that the French language & culture are on their way out and unless protected, preserved and promoted by LAW, they would die out!!!
I’m surprised that the French are not protesting this obvious admission of their INFERIORITY i.e. that they cannot survive without this artificial protection. Does it not affect their sense of self-worth to know that they are not really qualified for any of their positions in our society but that they only got their jobs because they belong to this minority group that can function in a minority language?
For those who want to know what the French can do to survive in an English-dominated world – the answer is simple!!! Promote it in your family and associates!! Don’t force it on the rest of the country and in doing so, earn for yourself and your group the hate and disdain of the Rest (Most) of Canada. How many of you know that the French are the most disliked group in Canada? Individual French-speakers are nice enough but when they buy into this ethnocentric policy that encourages them to be arrogant and to listen to bad leaders like Pauline Marois, they become obnoxious!!!
More Canadians are saying, “Let Quebec Go” – it is becoming a bigger liability than we need or want!!!
First of all, Kim Lian Khoo, I consider that it is quite unbecoming of someone like you to go directly against ordinary citizens, which Patrick Boucher and I are, by posting comments on such a forum as this one. As I understand it, by being the president of an organisation that expects to be taken seriously, you make a claim to fame and to a position in public life, do you not? If that is the case, then you should express yourself through other channels, such as letters to editors. Have you not done that or tried to do that before? That would seem to be the proper thing to do for someone in your position (or, rather, the position in which you claim you are). If you cannot understand this, I shall see even less of any reason to take you or the Canadians for Language Fairness organisation seriously.
Now, directly on topic, I was already personally aware that the title ‘‘How to wipe out Franco-Ontarian culture’’ was basically an eye-catcher for Howard Galganov’s pamphlet and that it was meant to convey the meaning that this man thinks or claims that, if bilingualism becomes mandatory on new advertising and commercial signs in the Township of Russell, the Franco-Ontarian culture is at risk of disappearing. However, I think that Galganov is wrong. The presence of bilingual signage everywhere in this township will not pose a threat to Franco-Ontarian culture; the settling of too many English speakers (whom, I understand, come from Ottawa) at a time in such a region and the aggressive attitude of people like him will. (In fact, as I said a few days ago, he started a campaign for the boycotting of ‘‘French-owned’’ shops back in 2008, did he not? Now that is what I would call the work or action of a Francophobe.) Considering that the population is virtually half English-speaking and half French-speaking in the Township of Russell, it only makes sense to make sure that this fact is reflected in public and commercial signage there; that is the truly fair thing to do.
Furthermore, I thought that Mr. Galganov’s wife had asked him to make himself scarce in the public or political arena. Thus, by acting the way that he has, he has broken the promise that he made to her years ago.
I should also like to point out that you and your organisation show quite clearly that you do not actually care about the French language and its thriving in regions such as Eastern Ontario. The only reason as to why you are so upset that bilingualism will now be mandatory on all new commercial signs in the Township of Russell is that, in your mind, it attacks the supremacy of the English language in Canada. To your organisation, what happens with Jean-Serge Brisson, the co-plaintiff in this case, is, at best, an afterthought. To me, this person, whose repair shop’s corporate name – I am not talking about the rest of what is written on his commercial sign – is actually not so French, is merely a token French-speaking collaborator whom Galganov has recruited to keep up appearances with his impertinent activism.
Let me add that you should be careful with some of the words that you seem to be throwing quite merrily, such as ‘‘Fascist state’’. Again, how do you expect to be taken seriously by the general public and the government when you put matters this way?!? Yes, there may be things that currently pose a threat to democracy, such as the secrecy with which Prime Minister Stephen Harper conducts his business at the Prime Minister’s Office and on the Privy Council, but, believe me, the enforcement of the principle of official bilingualism is not one of them.
If there is anything that might pose a threat to free debate and, thus, an important element of democracy on this very forum, it would rather be the attitude that Colleen McIntosh has displayed. What makes me say that is that, in the comment dated 17 August 2012 at 2022, she began with ‘‘does seems a shame that we can’t block users who abuse these forums and other posters’’. Um, I really do not think that her accusations are right. Do I take it that she now refuses to tolerate the fact that there are two sides in this argument, thus not just her own? Do I take it that we cannot even agree to disagree? I certainly have never said such things or had them in mind, and I do not think that Patrick Boucher, Jane Doe and stellabystarlight have had them in mind either. So, actually, really, who is not being so democratic now?!?
Discrimination though government policy!
We live in a segregated society how else do we have French only clinics.
My miss Stella you.have been busy spreading your propaganda.
We need a bill 101,in Ontario its only fair as Quebec has thiers,yes many Anglophone’s been there hundreds of years as well.
But perhaps with luck Quebec will be thier own country ,then bilingualism will be dead as it makes no sense to discriminate against the majority with their own money.
Oh we don’t live in a democratic society by just definition .
so blue fox please read up what democracy means.
Blue-you said “you do not care about French languagein thriving eastern Ontario”.
I say you do not care for English being discriminated against in Quebec as well as Ontario -example your local-Chris Cameron.
bleu wrote:
” The presence of bilingual signage everywhere in this township will not pose a threat to Franco-Ontarian culture; the settling of too many English speakers (whom, I understand, come from Ottawa) at a time in such a region and the aggressive attitude of people like him will.”
Is that right, bleu? Yes, better not permit any more English speaking people to settle in the township of Russel. That is, you know, fellow Canadians who have every right to settle where they wish and to communicate, live and work in the language of their choice. Well, at least SHOULD have every legal right to live, work and communicate in the language of their choice!
I quote again, “the settling of too many English speakers…”. Well, bleu, you just proved to us your Xenophobic ways and hatred of English speaking people here. Good for you that you are so accomodating.
bleu wrote:
“Furthermore, I thought that Mr. Galganov’s wife had asked him to make himself scarce in the public or political arena. Thus, by acting the way that he has, he has broken the promise that he made to her years ago.”
Well bleu, not sure how this has any merit or adds to your argument against the man. I’m sure though by your comments made here that you double up as a marriage counselor.
Go away please.
Everyone needs to watch the above 60 Minutes section…
Don’t think it won’t happen in Ontario either…well it already has in Russel.
Kim Lian, on August 13 at 4:22 pm you said: “We are in the process of finding out who put that clause (“the right to work in the language of choice”) into the Act because, Lowell Green on the CFRA show last Friday, looked at all the various versions of the OLA and couldn’t find the clause in any of the updated versions.”
First of, Lowell did not say that. He described more or less in detail the OLA 1969. He mentioned an additional section that was added to the OLA when it was imbedded in the Charter in 1982. As for the OLA 1988, he merely read the three (general) purposes of the Act, without going into any details. ATTENTION: He said it was the last version of the OLA. It is not true. The last amendment was in 2005, which was the gravest of all as it FORCES the government to implement Official Bilingualism in the general population. Be prepared for a shock of the (mandatory) Implementing Regulations to the new amendment. It will come in 2014 and will coincide with the mandatory updating cycle of every ten years. As you are aware, the feds are now in the process of the so-called Consultations.
Don’t rely on Lowell. He “knows little” on the subject. That tells me that the Conservatives under Stephen Harper have no intention of touching “the God that failed”.
If you want to know about the Language of Work, go on Justice website and read it yourself. This is a totally new section that was added to the OLA in 1988:
“PART V
LANGUAGE OF WORK
Rights relating to language of work
34. English and French are the languages of work in all federal institutions, and officers and employees of all federal institutions have the right to use either official language in accordance with this Part.”
Kim……no matter how you look at it, you want to seperate the nation and abolish french.
Let me tell you again Canada has two official languages…….got that? So I guess you are telling your followers…..that when this is all said and done, YOU can guarantee them that they will be getting the best jobs and all available promotions……..right? Otherwise if there are no guarantees, why all the BS? Why lead them down the garden path? The only thing that may change somewhat is the funds…….then what? You and the radical activist have only one objective…….and job discrimination is not your main priority.
For your information the Queen does speak french……thinking you should do a little research before posting **s** Why do you fabricate stories and throw numbers around when so many times it was proven inaccurate? How desperate!!!!
Again…….no one is forcing anyone to learn french Capish? It is a personal choice. The wise and mature students will opt to learn both because they know it is to their advantage.
The tone of your entire post is disturbing and disgusting to say the least. Keep your hatred to yourself instead of trying to spread it around.
Natan, you wrote:
“PART V
LANGUAGE OF WORK
Rights relating to language of work
34. English and French are the languages of work in all federal institutions, and officers and employees of all federal institutions have the right to use either official language in accordance with this Part.”
That’s fine but where does it say that the public is entitled to be served in the language of their choice? Furthermore, Bill 101 excludes the use of English in the courts in Quebec – still considered to be a Province within the country of Canada. (by use of the Notwithstanding Clause)
I wish here to advise everyone of another casualty of stupidity (Bilingualism policy)
It turns out I have heard firsthand of a story of a couple who moved to the North Bay area from Montreal to settle. It turns out that the husband was bilingual and easily found work while the wife was only French-speaking and because of this – has been unable to obtain full-time employment in the area….
Alas, the couple now has to leave NB and return to Montreal so that she can also find work. Stella, Patrick and others, you will no doubt say that I am making this story up. I am not. I know of this firsthand because my wife may be taking the man’s job when he leaves.
So there you go….once again a negative impact resulting from this policy.
I like you got scared, Stella **big smile**
Well, Cory, you do not have the power to kick me out of this forum, do you? So, no, I will not go away, especially since you have asked me to do so. 😀
I knew that people like you would attempt to twist the meaning of what I wrote in the sentence about the number of English speakers who have settled in the Township of Russell in the last several years. I can thus tell you and all those on your side of the argument that it was not meant to be taken as a xenophobic statement. Surely, you are aware that there was a time when Franco-Ontarians would make up the vast majority of the population in the towns and villages, taken together, that currently make up this municipality; nowadays, they are barely half of this population and that is not due to assimilation in this case.
Naturally, in any democratic society, people should be free to settle wherever they want and, if possible, use their language in as many situations in life as possible. However, as you know, Eastern Ontario is the region with the highest concentration of French Canadians or Franco-Ontarians in the province. Naturally, I realise that, as a community, Franco-Ontarians do not have the power to decide who is allowed to settle in villages and towns such as Alfred and Casselman and who is not, based on the language or the willingness to learn French. Now, if they did, they would face a dilemma, which would cause them to ask themselves this question: Do we allow English speakers or others to settle here even if they are not willing to learn French at the risk of getting culturally diluted, or do we deny them the right to settle here at the risk of being called xenophobes? That is only an imaginary or fictitious situation, of course, but you can certainly appreciate the reality in which the Franco-Ontarian community is. If, for some reason and somehow, they ever ‘‘lose’’ Eastern Ontario whereas the rest of the province still does not have nearly as many French speakers as this region currently does or a concentration of them that is nearly as high as it is now in this region, I am afraid that this community will be even more at a disadvantage. It must not happen. Well, I sincerely hope that it will never happen.
By the way, old chap, now that I have seen your face (since it was on one of the photographs for the article in the Standard-Freeholder on the ‘‘protest’’ that had taken place on 8 August in front of the local office of the Eastern Ontario Health Unit), I understand a lot of things… In any case, objectively, you cannot say, as it could be read on your sign, that ‘‘Northern Ontario supports LFA’’. That is much too bold a claim to make. Yes, of course, you can say, ‘‘My wife and I, from Northern Ontario, support LFA.’’ That, on the other hand, would not be untrue. Also, in theory, you could have done a survey in all of the District of Cochrane and displayed the proportion of those who actually support the Language Fairness for All organisation or its demands, but I guess that it would have cost you too much effort to be so specific.
it’s good to see Canadians fighting back against the french Nazi tide. Trudeau tried to poison the well with his forced french BS and it’s costs are obscene to say the least, 1.3 trillion! Hopefully Quebec will vote for that bigot Marios and Canadians can finally express their feelings toward these racist clowns and get rid of Quebec tribalism once and for alll. Trudeaus forced french act was a malicious act of vandalism that has cost this country 100’s of billions of dollars, while at the same time enabling racist french talkers to demand that everyone cater to their dying useless language. The fight will only intensify, the days of french talkers bullying English people are coming to an end.
Hello Le Renard bleu…well, it is truly heartening to hear that my “little old opinion” is so distressing to you:(((
Realize, it must be really upsetting to you that we (English) are still allowed to exercise our Rights to Freedom of Speech and Freedom of Expression. God knows, you certainly do…over and over and over again.
Do, YOU really think that you can dictate or control, whomever posts or comments? Are you the Moderator? I think, WE all know the answer is “NO”. Certainly, you have no dominion over Kim Lian Khoo or myself. Nor, it is any of your business whether either of us, chooses to post on any forum. Still a free Country…remember!!!
As to your childish rant about Mr. Howard Galganov’s wife…what business is it of YOURS, what this couple has promised to each other? Are YOU, Mrs. Galganov…or perhaps married to Mrs. Galganov??? Again, WE all know that answer which is a resounding “NO”.
Why, would you ask Ms. Khoo about any of my posts? Do you think that she some special knowledge or insight into my intentions??? At least, “man up” and show some courage and ask me directly, why I would say anything!
I’m thrilled to be the target of your little rants. Do you really think that I control, whether you or your little friends (or should I say multiple personalities) post on these forums? Did not realize that my approval was that important, to you. Again, you flatter me!
Don’t worry, we certainly can agree to disagree…if my opinion is that threatening to you…just don’t read or respond to my posts. See, how simple that is…problem is solved:)))
Hello Stella…you know, you have a valid point!!!
Thanks for helping us out…WE do really appreciate it:)))
*smile*
Hey, blue bird dude…
–
Leave Kim alone.
I’m the next Prime minister of this country so, if you want to pick on someone, I’m here. Have at it…
Besides, Kim doesn’t deserve your idiocy…
–
I get the feeling that it gets under your skin that she is now doing what those folk on “that side of this completely asinine debacle” have been doing for years now.
Yes, that’s right… Standing up and saying things the way they NEED TO BE SAID in this country… PUSHING back against you and your ilk. Finally…
She is speaking from the heart and standing up for this side of things in such a way that ALL OF US ENGLISH CANADIANS need to do in order to subvert you and your ilk over there who think that it’s OK to pass laws which enable the French to treat the English people in the “province” of Quebec like crap while demanding more and more French outside that silly little province which simply just sucks money from the majority English tax paying citizens of this country at an astonishing rate while at the same time attempting to brainwash people into believing the “province” of Quebec is it’s own little country.
Well, I have some breaking NEWS FOR YA…
Hey… Blue Bird dude… Oh, and Stella too…
Quebec… Yes, that little province over dare which I once fought tooth and nail to try to keep as part of this great country but now have no use for
— is simply NOT a country —
That’s right… Sorry to break it to ya but, It is still JUST A PROVINCE in a GREAT country called Canada.
And ya know what? This country called Canada has A HUGE MAJORITY OF English speaking people in it.
So, nanny nanny boo boo… You LOOSE automatically… Done deal…
Yes, you and you ilk have now pushed the ROC — WAY TOO FAR —
With your French ONLY this and French only that…
We are now waking up and beginning to push back.
I don’t know which province you live in right now but, if you’re in Quebec, don’t be surprised if you wake up one morning and that nice cushy idea of Canadian dollars (which BTW have the Queens face on them) which are constantly flowing into that “province” to supply you and the rest of the folk there with seven dollar a day care for their children and cheap hydro rates and cushy government jobs, just suddenly stops…
AND OR, if you live outside of Quebec, try not to be too surprised when you suddenly are forced with the prospect of having to decide which side of the lily pond you are going to live on. The rich side or the impoverished French side that gets no more money from English Canada and has to get by on their own once we decide we’ve had enough.
Oh, and, sorry to break it to ya… I guess that means you will ALL ave to learn English in order to “trade” goods and services with the rest of the world. Wha ha ha ha ha…
blue bird wrote:
You wrote: “I should also like to point out that you and your organization show quite clearly that you do not actually care about the French language and its thriving in regions such as Eastern Ontario.”
Guess what? We DO care, and you know what? I recently attended a wedding in Hawksbury ONTARIO… Yes, an area within the “province of Ontario.” And, to my revulsion most of the signage and menu’s in this area were in French only. Not just French and English, or French first, or English then French but, French ONLY.
Now, that wouldn’t be a big deal per say if things were not the way they are in this country right now but, when one thinks about the “province of Quebec” one MUST admit and agree that English ONLY signs would be a TOTAL impossibility in that “province.” Right?
Now explain to me please in an intelligent comprehensive way how that is fair and right… I dare you …
Oh and Stella, as the next Prime minister of this country I believe I can I can take your brunt too.
Stella wrote:
“it is to the advantage of students in this country to attempt to be bilingual”
The ONLY reason for this is because some small little minority French group has SOMEHOW hijacked the conciseness of this country and SOMEHOW convinced the rest of the majority English speaking people of this country that this is the way things ought to be.
(I suspect it’s apathy and the easy going nature of the English people … )
But, even though the insanity of how that happened is yet to be figured out, the actual reality here is that the English majority of this country have two advantages.
ONE is, the fact that we are SIMPLY THAT, the majority, and we are now beginning to see and realize the idea that Canada DOES NOT really HAVE TO BE completely bilingual as this is just — a totally IMAGINED CONCEPT. —
And TWO, People like you keep slamming it in our faces and annoying the crap out of us so much that we are now beginning to stand up and push back.
PS: blue bird dude — I am not sure what your intimidation tactic regarding Mr. Galganov and his wife was supposed to prove but, in my humble opinion, to bring something like that into this kind of discussion is downright offensive and VERY typical of your ilk.
Power to Kim, Cory Howard and all the rest of us standing up and speaking out Yaaaaaaaah.
Thanks to the lieberals we now have lost freedom of expression,and become more communistic with French dominance everyday.
Stella by legislation ,people are forced to learn French,no Goverment opportunities for that 96% otherwise.
So if your not that 4% you are not entitled to work for your own government-CAPISH STELLA
Wow has anybody realized the amount of ETHNOC ENTRIC dialogue (news) coming from la belle province ,its hard to keep up with-you’re bretherin Stella ,be proud ,not to proud to not take handouts from the rest of Canada.
But then again a proud people would not exept others to pay for
Them ALWAYS -well the past 60 years anyways.
Remain proud for that fact your linguistic group requires artificial life support by the rest of the country because YOU can’t support it yourself.
So ***s*** you are a proud population to bite the hand that supports you.
Le Renard Bleu:
After describing the current situation in Eastern Ontario to everyone I came into contact with including those I work with, socialize with and came into contact with, it was a consensus that they believed that Anglophones should have equal access to gov’t jobs according to merit and not knowledge of a second language…..
To have done a study in the District of Cochrane would mean that I would have had to have at least a few months to a year to complete and would have cost quite a bit of money. I and others like myself, do not have access to vast amounts of gov’t funding unlike French language services groups who could have done a similar study and probably could have received a Trillium fund for doing so….
As far as seeing my face I’m glad you have. To stand up to tyranny in a so-called democracy takes courage, honesty and compassion. I wish I could say the same for posters like yourself and Stella who hide behind thick veils of secrecy and who don’t have the courage to even provide their own names when posting so-called ‘feelings or thoughts from the heart’.
I want you to do something for me. I want you to read your own words copied from your above post:
“Naturally, I realise that, as a community, Franco-Ontarians do not have the power to decide who is allowed to settle in villages and towns such as Alfred and Casselman and who is not, based on the language or the willingness to learn French. Now, if they did, they would face a dilemma, which would cause them to ask themselves this question: Do we allow English speakers or others to settle here even if they are not willing to learn French at the risk of getting culturally diluted, or do we deny them the right to settle here at the risk of being called xenophobes? That is only an imaginary or fictitious situation, of course, but you can certainly appreciate the reality in which the Franco-Ontarian community is. If, for some reason and somehow, they ever ‘‘lose’’ Eastern Ontario whereas the rest of the province still does not have nearly as many French speakers as this region currently does or a concentration of them that is nearly as high as it is now in this region, I am afraid that this community will be even more at a disadvantage. It must not happen. Well, I sincerely hope that it will never happen.”
Your use of the words: ‘power’, ‘willingness’, ‘allow’, ‘deny’, ‘settle’, ‘reality’, ‘lose’, ‘must’ in your sentence structure proves your highly ethnocentric and so much so that you are blind as to your own thought patterns. Yourself, Stella and a few others can easily be substituted for the ethnocentric English hating PQ leader Pauline Marois. This situation is highly reminiscent of a Greek monster hydra – for every Pauline Marois head that is slain and detached there are always two to take her place. This is how hate is born and spread…
Re-read your post again – especially the text I copied for you here. After re-reading it, I want you to reflect a bit on what you wrote. This will go a long way in answering your question as to why English speaking Canadians are so upset at the current situation. It is this thought pattern that you have decided to share with us that truly bothers us the most. This culture of entitlement that exists with many in the Franco-Ontarian community.
Sleep on it if you must.
This thought pattern that you outlined is also an example of how ethnocentric behaviour is exemplified and becomes imperialistic when thoughts are turned into action.
I know what I have written, Cory, but you still do not understand and I am afraid that you never will. I spoke of a dilemma, not an actual wish. Besides, yes, I confess I am loyal to my cultural community first and foremost, for what would the use of – and the point in – the pride of being Canadian be if I lost my sense of belonging due to the weakening or fall of this community?
To all those who got their knickers or briefs in a knot when they saw the reference that I had made to Howard Galganov’s wife, I say they might want to calm down. What I said in that respect was public knowledge, really: it had been mentioned in a Radio-Canada’s televised report dated 1 June 2008. You should find the Web page, at the bottom of which is a link to the video of the report, by typing ‘‘Contre l’affichage bilingue’’ and ‘‘Howard Galganov’’ in the search field of Google. (Admittedly, you will need to understand French in order to perceive correctly what is said in that report.) Had it not been said on the report, I would not even have considered bringing that up here. And no, I have not said that because I thought that it would advance my argumentation; I have done so because I do not think that Howard Galganov is such a man of his word after all.
Finally, Cory, with respect to my use of an alias as opposed to that of my real name, I will respectfully point out that some people on your side of the argument do just the same thing as I do and they do take advantage of it to say things that are ten times more offensive. (Yes, I am talking about you especially, edudyorlik, but your ideas are so wacky and so brutal at once that I shall not even dignify them.)
’Bye, dear fellow commentators.
..c’mon renard..if you truly stand by your position, and hold your stance sacred, you would use your own name..I’m guilty aswell..but don’t try and be a crusader using a name like le bleu renard and expect to be taken as a forefront on this matter..I don’t believe “Ferris” will win me any votes or give much creedance to my opinion.
Stella, Stella, Stella…still calling the kettle black, unbelievable!
Your response to Ms. Khoo post and I quote: “The tone of your entire post is disturbing and disgusting to say the least. Keep your hatred to yourself instead of trying to spread it around”.
Perhaps, you and your ilk should take a chapter out of your own book (see above paragraph).
Interesting, that YOU have no ethical problems with doing just that….given own posting history.
You know, it’s easy to chastise, attack, post rude or offensive comments, argue and challenge another, while wearing the cloak of anonymity on the web. Right…Stella, Le Renard bleu, Jane Doe and etc.???
Why, would you do that (post under multiple monikers) anyway…do you NOT have the strength or your own convictions and beliefs???
Just my opinions, of course:)
*smile*
ROFLMAO!!! OMG……keep thrashing and name calling, it is so becoming of you all.
First of all Mr. Timmins, does, yorlik, concerned citizen,lowlow (mayny others) sound like real names to you. Tired of hearing about the veil and secrecy thing…..got that? BTW….many from your side who post their name (no proof if it is the real name) come from other provinces…..**smile**
Yep the English are going to be living high off the hog when this is over and done with **s** They are going to rule. The good jobs are going to go to them first because they are the majority, whether they are qualfied or not……it won’t matter majority rules……..Yep dream on little dreamers, you may be in for a rude awakening.
Yep yorlik is our next PM…..LMAO. Thinking the same will happen to him as Galganov……fall on his biased face and go down in a resounding defeat.
A TROUBLE MAKER is someone who instigates and creates problems when things are peaceful. They are ususally vengeful, jealous, envious and spiteful.
Peace loving people tend to shun them because they seek harmony and don’t approve nor encourage hatred towards their fellowmen…but of course one has to defend themselves against slander.
Good morning Le Renard Bleu and other posters,
Le Renard Bleu wrote:
“Besides, yes, I confess I am loyal to my cultural community first and foremost, for what would the use of – and the point in – the pride of being Canadian be if I lost my sense of belonging due to the weakening or fall of this community?”
Well Le Renard Bleu, I have this to say to your above statement. Being as it may, this is the main reason why we have these types of issues in Canada in the first place. Unlike the United States of America, Canada does not have a cultural melting pot. There is much to be said and debated about what it means to be ‘Canadian’. I see nothing wrong with being loyal to your cultural community first and foremost but the truth of the matter is that the great nations of yesteryear all had a single driving force of what constituted their nationhood. It created unity and a national consciousness. There is no ‘Canadian Dream’ like our American cousins have much to the dismay of many of us here.
The danger of your viewpoint lies in the concept of developing nations within a nation – much like what Quebec is currently undertaking; and much like what the Confederate States of America did under their first and only president, Jefferson Davis. There is a description for this and it would be titled, tribalism. It has been said that the worst kind of war is a civil war as it pits family member against family member. I would tend to agree. Things are about to get ugly indeed…
There needs to be a shift in the way in which Francophones see themselves. I see a constant tearing at your cultural identity which in a large way only you yourselves can fix. Do you see yourselves as ‘Quebecers’, ‘Franco-Ontarians’, French Canadian or simply as Canadians with ancestral ties to old France? I can tell you that most of the people with which you debate here see themselves simply as ‘Canadians’.
Le Renard Bleu you have absolutely no idea the identity crisis coming your way. This upcoming election in Quebec I believe will be like no other. Why? Because unlike in past referendums, I think this time you will see a definite response from the ROC unlike anything that has previously transpired. You’re right, Quebec political antics have given the Franco-Ontarian population a bad reputation however members of our group clearly see the import of Quebec like politics in this province and many of us have learned from history. We want nothing of it. This is our home and many of us have family histories stretching back to United Empire Loyalists. We already have had to leave one nation due to political unrest and this time we won’t seek out another…
You are at a fork in the road. As a cautionary reminder I would like to advise that your communities think long and hard about what it means to be ‘Canadian’.
Cory
Blue:
You said”yes I confess I am loyal to my cultural community first and foremost-there lies the problem:
As I quote Highlander -French first right,French first!
I am Canadian first -most French refer to themselves French,not Canadian first – so what is it are you Canadian first?
Well that could explain poor French enrollment on the military,they Don’t see themselves as Canadians first!
My,My how ETHNOCENTRIC you are blue ,that’s alright as long as you exept your problem.
It’s KILROYDUDE, Stella..and yes, what’s with Kilroys marathon blog?..Painful…I’ve seen better pseudonames..some fella had Nathan Johnson.. Steve Martin fans would find that funny..
Stellazealot,
You seriously have issues,help is needed!
You have a superiority complex,we don’t want the majority to tramp on minority ,we want REPRESENTATION BY POPULATION.
IS THERE SOMETHING WRONG WITH THAT?
IT’S only (fair) oops that word again fair -there is no French word for that.
Most if not all people agree to representation by population!
Just a few French Zealots disagree.
Do you agree people?
I agree 100%!!!!! How can anyone argue fair?!?!?!???
Everyone,
Come on people! You have said the same thing for months now and still have not provided any solutions!
I strongly believe the majority of us can agree that:
1) The further you move away from Quebec the less French is spoken!
2) If the above is true then the folowing statement must be true “The closer you move towards Quebec the more French is spoken!
3) The most common language spoken in a community should be the language used for social services.
4) The ability to perform social services or qualifications should be considered of the utmost importance after ensuring the candidate speaks the common language.
5) The ability to speak the minority language of an area is an added skill where if all else where equal would be an asset welcomed by any employer -public or private!
6) If a community has a distinct community need such as a large minority consisting of 10% or more. Than special measures should be taken to ensure the proper care of this minority is sufficient.
7) To enforce a private business to adhere to any language is fundamentally against our right to freedom of speech! Private money should be allowed to market or serve any clientele it so sees fit as long as the ativities are not illegal.
There are many more but arguing over petty things are not productive and are waste of energy by both parties!
Unfortunately, the LFA for in my opinion is not for “ALL”! It has strategically positioned itself and aligned itself with too many of those who are clearly anti-french! Their call and position on government spending in French schools is plainly shows a clear discrimination against any and all French citizens of Canada living outside of Quebec.
The public reports and mainly the financial amounts stated by the Fraser institute, that lists the spending on French education, has been used to misinform the public into believing that billions have been spent on the enforcement and implementation of forced bilingualism. However, all french schools are clearly optional and the parents of such children choose to send their children to these schools to further their education.
I keep repeating to you that the complaint is just but the recommendations and approach has been more offensive then informative mainly due to the misuse of information.
I apologise to those of noble intentions however the continued insulting behaviour has only all but killed this local movement!
Thank You,
Mike Bedard
Cory, you may be a descendant of Loyalists and, as such, have family ties that go back a long time where you live or where you were born. (Nearly two hundred forty years. Am I correct?) I can appreciate that and yes, sincerely, I will respect that fact. Nevertheless, as European settlers, the French were here first. I cannot believe that I might have to remind you of that. I also cannot believe how pessimistic you are on many topics. You seem to be into conspiracy theories; I am not.
Ferris, I shall honestly take your suggestion into consideration. Yes, I really will. I want to tell you this because you, at least, show some respect and wisdom on the other side of the argument. (I might even consider smoking the peace pipe with you just as you have suggested.) However I want to assure you of one thing already: I have no political ambitions whatsoever either. I do not even expect to have the last word. Just like any other person is entitled to do here, I simply want to exercise my democratic right to state my opinion. If it were mandatory to give one’s real name on this forum (as it is on certain Web sites), I would certainly abide by that rule.
Vous l’avez dit, M. Bédard. C’est exact. Je suis généralement d’accord avec vous.
You have said it, Mr. Bédard. That’s right. I generally agree with you.
lowlow……..How can anyone argue ignorance and hatred like you have shown the french? Can’t argue that one because it is out there for all to see **s**
concerned…..Your first french lesson “fair” in french is juste or equitable. See…..if you were truly bilingual you have known that. **s** I guess it is safe to say that promotions weren’t granted because of your lack of the french language.
For once you are right, I do have issues when it comes to radical activist who want to eliminate and destroy a culture and seperate a once peaceful nation **s**
You can scream presentation by population all you want. In the end it won’t change your lifestyle. Read my lips: Nothing will change except perhaps the Gov funds…..then what? Canada will ALWAYS have two official languages…….got that? and there won’t be a damn thing you can do about it. Cry in your beer and stomp your feet……it won’t happen. **smile** What will you all do then?
Because many seem to appreciate my help and have thanked me many times for it, this is what I suggest. I would start a revolution, get armed and fight……we must stand up and be counted. We must eliminate the french and make this a unilingual english country. We are the majority and the majority must rule. We will not accept anything less. We have to stand together and be strong. We must keep donating money to the radical extremist for he is our fearless leader and our strength and we will win the battle……trying to help as usual **smile to my comrades in arms”
In the end it won’t change a thing for you personally and that you can take to the bank **s**
Mike said,
“Unfortunately, the LFA for in my opinion is not for “ALL”! It has strategically positioned itself and aligned itself with too many of those who are clearly anti-french! ”
Wow!!
I am shocked to say the least at your accusations.
The LFA group are concerned citizens who by & large were born & raised in the Cornwall area.
Is it really too much to ask for FAIR government hiring policies thru representation by population in our home town.Most of us have children & we are concerned about their future as well.
Too say we are “aligned with anti-french” is truly beyond insulting.
You don’t know us,you haven’t spoken to us.
WHY ARE YOU SO JUDGMENTAL??
I think you need to get your facts straight Mike & do your research!
Mike……..grand merci!!! C’est dure de raisonner avec des gens qui ne sont pas raisonable. C’est pourquoi je ne peux pas discutter raisonablement avec eux. Ordinairement se n’est pas mon style.
Mike, once again you have shown the courage to say it like it is. TWO THUMBS WAY WAY UP!!!!! The problem is, they don’t want to hear it or accept TRUE facts.
Mike:
We have provided solutions :
Representation by population.
You already came off the fence on this ,and Stella could use someone in her corner ad its getting
lonely there.
As for classifying frustrated anglophones and thier viewpoints as the same as LFA is the same as we saying you agree with that one individual threatening one of our supporters life.
Clearly you are educated -please use it!
LFA wants fairness in Gov hiring ,not to discriminate against French.
This has everything to do with Bad Government policy ,all people should have access to Gov jobs with merit first.
Debbie…..are you not affiliated and supporting Galganov? When someone is handing out flyers telling people why and how to abolsih the french culture…..what does that mean? Mike is absolutely correct in his statement. No need to be shocked…..it’s the truth.
You are so out in left field Stella…..no ignorance and hatred in the LFA. I send my children to a totally French school and believe in representation by population when it comes to hiring. If that is ignorance and hatred, you are going to call it as YOU see it anyway. That’s why we have the problems that we do, because radicals like you walk around with blinders on and spread untruths. People see through it. They know that the LFA is trying to find fairness for all and not get rid of the French.
Mike, there are less that 10 uniligual anglophones here, so that cancels out the need for your #6.
ROFLMAO…….omg lowlow that is so funny……no hatred? thinking you are the one with the blinders, you have shown hatred towards the french for almost a year now…..LOL
What is even funnier still is that you are not trying to get rid of the french….please hand me a tissue, I am laughing so hard. What about the galganov flyers? Does that sound like a man who loves the french? Are supporting his cause? I rest my case with you because it’s a waste of time……**s**
Christopher Cameron
August 19, 2012 at 7:24 pm
Thanks Jamie , a voice of reason .
But Madame Periard how is it that french are tested in New Avenues linguistic center,and the CCH managers are the linguistics
experts for English?
How much is CCH given in funding for the implementation and maintenance of French Services Language Act?
What do you mean Ontario sets the mandate on hiring official bilingualism?
She was and still is very evasive ,she simply needs to understand she serves the community and not the other way around.
Politics plays too much a part in Cornwall Community Hospital they should stick to providing health service.
As per annual report to the Honorable Madeleine Meilleur.
April1 ,2011 to march31, 2012
1..3.1 Advantages of designation
The designation of a agency means a commitment and formal recognition of its ability to provide French language services .It is not a goal in and of itself ,but rather a means of guaranteeing the active and ongoing served.
Indeed ,designation allows agencies to benifit from legal and political protection under the French Language services act .A designated agency or program provides its supplier with LEGAL IMMUNITY that protects it from CHANGES IN ECONOMIC AND POLITICAL CLIMATE.
Monfort Hospital is the most eloquent example of this ADVANTAGE: It was able to avoid being shut down and broken up precisely because of its designated status .
“A request for designation ,which is the result of a courageous decision by the board of Directors ,is ,above all,a highly significant political gesture.Status as designated institution confers recognition on two levels ,namely in the socio-politcal and political spheres ,while providing a certain notoriety .Naturally , designation acts as a political and legal SHIELD by providing QUASI-CONSTITUTIONAL PROTECTION against the potential reduction or discontinuation of programs and services .Finally ,designation has the advantage of promoting budgetary stability .This is an Undeniable fact
Denis Hubert-Dutrisac, Sudbury
Well since I have officially been asked and challenged on my comments!!!!!
Here we go:
From the LFA web-site:
Section
The Real Cost –
Title of Article on the LFA web-site:
2012-06-13 Honda Attributes Cost of Bilingualism as one Reason that Canadians Pay More than Americans for Canadian-made Vehicles
Real Title on CBC:
Canadians pay more than Americans for Canadian-made vehicles
The only mention of bilingualism as a concern was ruled read here:
At least one manufacturer, Honda Canada, said Canada’s price was determined by a number of factors, including exchange rates, market conditions, Canadian-specific content and the cost of doing business in two official languages.
But Ringuette said the cost of translation is a red herring.
“You do it once and it’s done. So that was not an issue either. So what’s left?” she asked.
The only other thing under real cost is the list of expenses for French schooling which the LFA is presenting as a cost to support official bilingualism!
This is what they have the article labeled as:
2012-01-23 Is it time to reconsider official bilingualism?
hhhhhmmmmmm are you implying ” IS IT TIME TO RECONSIDER SUPPORTING FRENCH EDUCATION?” because thats the only reasonable assumption that can be made by you titling an article that only talks about the cost of French education!
Next Section to come…………
Thank You,
Mike Bedard
Just as a side note I guarantee almost all of the LFA could not answer this properly before this protest:
A middle-aged woman is rushed to the hospital yelling: “J’ai mal au cœur, j’ai mal au coeur!” A non-fully-bilingual nurse could misinterpret the woman saying “j’ai mal au cœur” as saying she has chest pain. While this is indeed a literal translation, French-speakers know that having “mal au cœur” actually means having abdominal pains.
Do to the conversation you may know this but did you really????
C’mon M. Bedard Seriously ???
No really … Seriously ?
As much as I would LOVE to agree that “agreeing” is a good state… I simply must speak up.
I admit I was NOT going to give you the courtesy of a response but, I realized that those reading this thread deserve to know THE TRUTH about things and not simply just see your words represented as TRUTH because that would simply be a travesty.
Mike Bedard said:
“the majority of us can agree that:
3) The most common language spoken in a community should be the language used for social services.”
Please, please, please, just please tell me that you understand how this is completely NOT something that occurs in many small enclaves in the “province” of Quebec.
The “most common language” in many of those small outlaying enclaves is (and has always been since their inception) the English language yet, those who wish to wipe out the English language in that “province” have instituted a Nazi style annihilation project against them and the English language there in that ” province.” And, this is not to mention a complete disdain there for anything Canadian within those laws that push this agenda as well.
Mike Bedard said:
“I apologize to those of noble intentions however the continued insulting behavior has only all but killed this local movement!”
I MUST draw from and echo Colleen McIntosh, a wonderful concerned Canadian citizen who in a previous post in this blog said to Stella, “talk about calling the kettle black.”
“Insulting behavior?” Really? You dare speak about “insulting behavior ?”
If there is ANY INSULTING BEHAVIOR by anyone at all within this whole disgraceful debacle it’s the French who have turned the province of Quebec into a bastion of French zealots who dare to have something called “the official office of the French language” (I will NOT even give it respect by using the so called “official French title” for it is not worth that type respect from ANYONE as far as I am concerned. And, in my humble opinion it is a completely disgraceful entity that has somehow found a way to exist within my country, CANADA). The mandate of this office is is such that French zealots can send complaints about how some English sign in or on some small store or business in that province has the audacity to use (oh my… the ENGLISH LANGUAGE) in some way shape or form in or on it’s establishment… And how that use of English language is somehow offensive to someone.
http://youtu.be/RI4BSsT20WA
Offended them??? Really ? An English sign offends people in Canada? Really? In their own country ? Canada? What ?
How can ANYONE on your side of this situation NOT SEE how this is simply a starting point for the majority English speaking people of this country to say, “wait just a second here. You are offended by English and want nothing to do with English people and the English language in general, in the “province” of Quebec but yet you want us in the ROC to COMPLETELY accept whatever the French demands are outside of that province at the VERY SAME TIME?”
WHAT ???? Really ?? No??? C’mon. Seriously ? That CANNOT BE ? Can it ???
So, if you’re looking for “a solution” …
Here it is…
Let’s just simply get it straight. Having been immersed in the French culture I can honestly say that, on some levels, the French language and the French culture is a wonderful thing and hopefully everyone can get a sense of how enriched this country “could be” with that as “PART” of our encompassing experience … HOWEVER…
Yes, a BIG HUGE — HOWEVER…
The important thing to note — is the term “PART OF” — which DOES NOT MEAN the French MUST HAVE dominance and more power in a country where the majority language and culture is English… Yes… English.
The idea that French should have equal status in this country is PURELY and simply … AN INVENTED FANTASY that has been perpetuated upon the English of this country for FAR TOO LONG.
And, the idea that positions such as our Prime minister and the minister of the official opposition of this country (just to name a few) SHOULD HAVE knowledge of French as a prerequisite for the privilege of obtaining those positions is also an imagined fantasy by a small minority, and i add… It is TOTALLY ridicules.
It JUST DOES NOT MAKE SENSE in a country where the majority population (outside the “province” of Quebec) is 90% plus English that the English should be removed from the possibility of obtaining these positions.
Yes, imagine that, THE English standing up ? What a concept eh ? I know, the French are not quite used to that yet but, you ALL had better start getting used to it because we HAVE HAD ENOUGH and now and we have awakened and realized that we MUST stand up for our children who SHOULD NOT need things like French immersion just to get along in a country that is 90 % Plus English.
PS: Sometimes: “saying the same things over and over” is simply necessary because just like the French have done in “the province” of Quebec with the repetition of their French only chant. The ROC MUST CONTINUE to repeat the mantra that “we are fed up, and we will no longer accept this crap.” PERIOD
edudyorlik,
Parles-tu français ? Avant de dénigrer une culture et une langue, tu devrais la connaître un peu. Le Québec n’a aucune leçon à prendre de l’Ontario. Au Québec, il y a plus qu’une université anglophone, plus qu’un collège anglophone, plusieurs conseils anglophone. La loi 101 est là pour protéger le fait français de l’assimilation. C’est tellement facile apprendre l’anglais, mon garçon de 6 ans peut entretenir une conversation en anglais avec n’importe qui. Mais, il a une exception, il est intelligent, que veux-tu comme le vieux diction dit:¨tel père tel fils.¨
@Patrick Boucher: Patrick wrote
“Avant de dénigrer une culture et une langue”
I guess you COMPLETELY missed this part where i praised the French culture and language.
–
edudyorlik wrote, “I can honestly say that, on some levels, the French language and the French culture is a wonderful thing and hopefully everyone can get a sense of how enriched this country “could be” with that as “PART” of our encompassing experience
–
Yup, yet again, you MUST have had those
“see it only one way” blinders on.
So typical of your side of this. Take only what you see fit and leave out the IMPORTANT FACTS …
–
Sort of like how your side never addresses how insane laws like Bill 101 are to anyone, anywhere.
–
Try to understand., just try. I know you can do it…
–
Attempting to use laws to legislate a language or a culture
WILL NEVER WORK.
It will only make one side elitist and the side angry.