CFN – It was an historic and emotional night at South Stormont Ontario Council. After a near 20 minute presentation from language activist Howard Galganov council voted unanimously to pass a new by law that categorically states that in South Stormont Ontario businesses can put any language they wish on their signs.
Galganov recent battles in Russell Township Ontario where it is law requiring both English & French on signs triggered the “Push Back” the first ever in over 40 years of official bilingualism in Canada.
Mr. Galganov’s speech also targeted MP Guy Lauzon whom Mr. Galganov stated he spoke to urging the MP to attend and support the intiative,but Mr. Lauzon was said to have commented that it was “too controversial. Several in the crowd called for the MP’s resignation showing their anger at his lack of support for them and their community.
Howard’s UNEDITED speech
The crowd responds to Howard’s speech and Mayor Bryan McGillis and council vote.
Mr. Galgonov and council drew three standing ovations from the crowd of nearly 300 with a very loud roar after council voted.
It’s amazing how one letter to the editor by Dr. Dany Tombler of the Cornwall Community Hospital and the perseverance of Nurse Christopher Cameron and his tiny group’s protest over bilingual hiring practices at the hospital have galvanized support in Eastern Ontario; not against the French language or culture, but of the unfair policies that are seeing a migration of young people from their communities and a seemingly unfair hiring and promotion process skewed to those that speak or are French.
MPP Jim McDonell did not attend the event either, but did send his executive assistant. No representative of Cornwall City Council showed, but we did wave hello to City Clerk, Denise Labelle Gelinas on our way in. It’s amazing how many top wage earners from Cornwall Ontario’s government live outside the city limits?
The meeting in Long Sault Ontario drew media from as far away as Ottawa!
For tonight the residents and government of South Stormont basked in the glow of their historic accomplishment. It should be interesting to see the response locally and across Ontario and Canada.
You can post your comment below.
Stella, you blamed Anglos for wanting to keep Quebec in Canada in the 1990s. Now that we support Quebec aspirations to become a truly separate Nation, you are not happy. Did we call your bluff? 🙂
Funny thing is, some here think they are speaking for the majority of anglophones. Thank god most anglos are smart and kind people.
It makes them feel good to think they are speaking for most anglos Richard, but thinking we know better. Many don’t get involved in this BS and don’t want any part of it. I think the proof was in the pudding when the big g…..galganov himself, fell on his biased face when he ran for elections.
The only let down is, even if they locally win the sign language issue, which is no big deal to begin with, they will never stop, it will be an unending story. They want to govern and control!!
So Stella if it’s no big deal, how do you feel about Quebec making a stink about international businesses like Old Navy or Costco needing to have some generic french description on their signs or be fined thousands of dollars? Why does KFC need to be PFK in Quebec? You know what it’s called in France? KFC!!! Why is Quebec signage such an expensive prospect, but here in South Stormont “no big deal”? Is Quebec part of Canada, or is it the countries spoiled brat needing all the perks while the rest of the country hopes for a few of their hand-me-down scraps?
And just for you Stella, so you don’t accuse me of just making up facts like you have before
http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/2012/10/13/big-retailers-face-new-la_n_1963999.html
*s*
My Canada no longer includes Quebec and the majority of Quebecer’s Quebec no longer includes Canada.
It’s that simple.
The Province of Quebec needs to become a separate nation, period. This is in both interests of Canada and Quebec.
Before, once again, I’m accused of anti-French sentiments, I need to remind a few I’m married to a Franco-Ontario woman and am bilingual, with half of my family being French Canadian.
Cory you have great insight ,
Did you know Cory
I believe Quebec to be Canada’s prostitute willing to sell herself but not committing .She willing to sleep with Canada for transfer payments ,but not willing to marry Canada by signing the constitution.
But she is the prostitute living in the same household ,but yet not willing to pay for the bills,but demanding more of Canada.
Quebec take your social addiction policies and leave ,Canada needs an intervention to rid it of this parasite of a province.
Richard tremblay said:
“Funny thing is, some here think they are speaking for the majority of anglophones. Thank god most anglos are smart and kind people.”
I don’t see those hordes of majority speaking up and disagreeing with LFA,I believe it to be the other way.
Glad to see big retailers are calling Quebec bluff. The tide is turning…
Thanks Highlander for that,
Never thought of Quebec in that fashion but the more I think about it, the more apt it seems as a simile for the situation we have here.
Well the G, I think the majority of anglos believe that things are fine the way they are.
Richard tremblay, I would not hazard a guess as to what Mr. Galganov believes, but, as more people and their kids see the forced “bilingulism” they wake up.
I am all for some kind of official survey across Canada to see what people do think today, as long as the question is clear.
No Richard you think wrong! Anglos are not happy being treated as second class citizens in their country!
Times are changing Richard ,how do you not see this?
You still have not answered these 2 Questions :
1-Do you believe in Freedom of Expression?
2-Do you believe in representation by population?
Richard by not answering these 2 question implies that you do not agree to them.
Now all you fine folks that read but do not write on here,these questions DO NOT negatively impact the french community so if they disagree… You have to Question why?
When pamphlets are sent out, by the big g himself, on how and why french should be abolished says it all!!! (unless you have recently changed the wording to save face)
Now all the fine folks that do not comment on here piper have a good and valid reason not to but let me assure you they are well aware of your agenda….I think that was obvious when you ran for office and was defeated.
Once again stella -Last time I am not the G .
The G does not respond on these articles.
stella you still have not answered the questions I proposed :
1- Do you believe in Freedom of Expression?
2-Do you believe in representation by population?
Simple questions …..I know that I believe in both,and so do the majority.
highlander
To answer your question which has been answered many times before, I will once again comply.
Absolutely, I agree with freedom of expression but not to the detriment of another culture, which in this case would be french. A sign is just that, it does not make or break a business. To send a letter to the MP of Quebec asking that they become their own country and that the french should all move there is ridiculous and harmful to a usually peace loving nation.
On the second question…….Let’s take the clinic for example, as you guys love to bring it up every chance your get. If the french clinic is not taking any more new patients because they are filled to capacity…….must I elaborate or do you get the picture? So much for representation by population. As for other provinces….who cares?
This BS started in Cornwall and now you guys are trying to get the entire country involved…….which clearly depicts your true agenda….to seperate and control.
I still don’t see how I as a business owner should pay for something on my sign when I don’t care to have it there. Apparently, neither do Howard Galganov nor Jean-Serge Brisson either.
I think as Canadians we are conditioned by various groups (the biggest being the gov’t) on what is classified as acceptable or not acceptable. Just yesterday I saw at a French school the flying of the Canadian flag and the Franco-Ontario flag. I thought to myself where is the Provincial flag? Stella, should I be concerned that the non-flying of the Provincial flag of Ontario be ‘detrimental to all non-Francophone cultures’?
No I won’t because I care not what is done by a French School Board unless it is my tax dollars at work. So why would a gove’t entity have any concern what a business owner puts on a sign? It is the business owner’s business and sign after all, right?
So not advetising in German in S. Stormont is detrimental to the German culture as to your logic right Stella? There are a few Germans living there I might add.
To Richard, Richard you indicated that signs should be inclusionary. Alright, by that standard I guess that CCH should be inclusionary in hiring full time unilingual English or FRENCH speaking nurses which I believe they should be doing.
Signs don’t make or break a business. Other then you guys, who really cares about languages on a sign?
The big g, has a problem with french speaking people and made it his business to make it even bigger when sticking his nose on signage in Russell. If business owners in SS want to advertise in German or any other language for that matter, I am sure it would not be a problem. Language was never a problem before so why was one created? The obvious answer is to control and divide.
Stella you don’t get the concept!
French only clinic is just that=French only!
There is no such thing as an English only clinic and I don’t think there should be as most people also think there shouldn’t be! The argument you once forwarded Stella was that ‘the English had all the rest of the clinics and why should there not be a French only clinic?
The CCH offers bilingual services as do all of the other clinics as opposed to the FRENCH ONLY clinic. BTW Richard, where is the inclusion in having a French only clinic? And never mind just English and French speaking people. What about other linguistic groups? They don’t have their own clinics!
Please, for the love of Christ, does nobody other than Highlander and I see the fault in this method of thinking!?
Stella the problem was created when certain townships like Russell decreed that English and French had to be on signs. That doesn’t happen and none of this happens.
I realize that you’re playing propaganda pundit; probably on the taxpayers dime no less, but spin is spin baby!
So Stella freedom of expression to you only means if French is included?
What about Mohawk,German ,Dutch,mandarin,and the other 90 some languages ?
I guess in your logic on Cornwall Island they are violating the charter because mohawk signs do not have French on them?
Thak you our fair moderator.
Reasoning is hard to be had with some.
Admin is absolutely right, Stella. It is this forcing of language that is the problem!
Cory said;
“CCH should be inclusionary in hiring full time unilingual English or FRENCH speaking nurses which I believe they should be doing.”
Cory most times I agree fully with your comments, but I absolutely disagree that CCH should hire “French” only nurses, as the working language of the Hospital is English.
This would be a very dangerous practice & people’s lives would be placed in jeopardy if a nurse or any staff member could not speak English.
Keep up the good work Cory!!!!
Stella you say “Signs don’t make or break a business. Other then you guys, who really cares about languages on a sign? ” I agree with you Stella, it doesn’t make or break a business but when you say it is only us guys who care??? Really Stella do you not get what happened in Russell Township, obviously there are more that just “us guys” who care. Also Stella you keep saying that all we want is to abolish the French and you could’nt be more wrong but I would like to ask you to watch the video of City staff removing the English from the Street signs in a very English part of Montreal and then tell me who is trying to abolish who here. That would be like the City of Cornwall removing anything French from “Le Village” and that would disgust me.
OPEN MEETING TONIGHT for all those interested in Language Fairness for ALL and Freedom of Expression. Howard Galganov and Jurgen Vollrath will be the guest speakers. Starts at 7pm sharp, 2 Mille Roche(new council building), Long Sault. Want to know what is ahead? Come on out and meet the team!
And where will the bilingual people come from for these jobs? The total number of bilingual educated people for any field is basically flat over the 43 year Official Languages Act and 26 year Ontario French Languages Services Act. ( I still want an independant review of their effectiveness and need)
I think it is the 23rd of this month when Census Canada releases the language numbers from the most recent census, will there be much change?
Will there be another investigation from an email campaign to skew the numbers in Quebec? Will Ottawa ever be counted separate from Gatineau to give realistic numbers?
Cory…..OMG!!! Don”t you understand what unilingual french means? Let me explain: It is someone who doesn’t understand English nor can they speak or express themselves in english. Ca-vas? Hence the french clinic. Again..did you ever hear of a “comfort zone” when trying to express yourself especially when it comes to health issues?
A close friend of mine who could not speak a word of french, moved to Cornwall from Charlesmagne Quebec. She could not speak a word of english. Guess what? Other then when going to the french clinic, many times someone had to go along with her as the “supposedly bilingual people” that you claim are available could not understand. Yes a french clinic was needed, the proof is in the files.
Piper……don’t be twisiting my words around to suit your agenda. READ MY LIPS: I DON’T, AS MANY OTHERS, CARE ABOUT WHAT LANGUAGE A SIGN IS WRITTEN IN. Why should it bother you? Did the big g own a business in Russell? Was he asked to change his signage? Why the h@ll should he care. I will answer that assuming he didn’t own a business, because he is a trouble maker…..everybody knows that. He wants to control, stir the sh#t because he hates the french.
Rosie…….I don’t care what is happening in Montreal. I doubt very much you would see this type of thing ever happening in Cornwall, in the Village as you say. The only way it would become an issue is if the g, the savior of the world would start stirring the sh@t here.
You see, this is how he operates, he goes to small towns and brainwashes the people into thinking there may be a problem. When he sees there are none, he makes one. He stays away from the bigger cities knowing he won’t get their support……not dumb after all **s** The big g and his followers are blowing this issue way out of proportion. Did SS have a signage problem before? That says it all!!
I’ll tell it like it is, admin is biased. Plain and simple.
Stella, I’ll ask again….if signs are no big deal, how do you explain this?
http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/2012/10/13/big-retailers-face-new-la_n_1963999.html
Stella, I’m not asking you to care about what is happening in Montreal but you should become more aware. You obviously care about South Stormont and Russell Township, and I don’t believe you live in either of those places. When you say that “Galganov and his followers are blowing this way out of proportion” it makes me think you are quite naive. You have been living in a “bubble of sorts”. You obviously don’t see the connection between the spraying over the English words on signs in Montreal and the voting for Freedom of Expression in South Stormont. Because of the bubble you have been living in you are also very unaware of the problems the English have at finding employment in Cornwall and this has been going on long before Galganov ever made an appearance in this area. So are they blowing this out of proportion, absolutely not, this is real Stella, very real.
@ Tom RE: October 14, 2012 at 8:15 pm POST
Tom said, “Glad to see big retailers are calling Quebec bluff.”
I have been hearing that Quebec is pushing hard again lately for the large retailers to add French but have not heard of any push back (yet). Would appreciate if you (or anyone) could supply a link to a news article or video please? Thanks.
ALSO
@Richard tremblay re: October 16, 2012 at 4:23 am POST
Richard said, “Well the G, I think the majority of anglos believe that things are fine the way they are.”
Bzzzzzzt WRONG !!! Off the stage. Go stand in the corner with the gum on your nose.
Not fine … “things” are NOT fine at all. Nope… NOT FINE.
But, “The Tide is Turning.” 🙂
Oh, and Stella… Your famous. You made it into my latest video. Have a look 🙂
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B615iJzxxlY
And, sharing a great video by another concerned Canadian citizen.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HKXJKpOLuwU
Rosie…..I must admit that you come across as being a nice lady and I appreciate your politeness, if I could use that term in english.
For the record, I do not care about SS nor Rusell, I do not live there, however, many who blog here do not come from there either. So why should they care about what is happening in those towns and their signage?
ME NAIVE?….love your sense of humor. Far from it, actually Montreal was my stomping grounds for many years. As for me living in a bubble…..wrong again. I lived in NYC for 6 months on a special assignments on several occasions. That should give an idea how naive I am.
As for the jobs remark, we have been through that a thousand times…..language is not the only criteria when applying for a job even though your leader claims it was.
yorlik……the difference between you and I…..I don’t need the attention nor do I want it. Just want you guys to be fair…like in “Fairness For ALL” **s**
Oh my dear Stella. There are MANY MANY more differences between you and i but, i shall refrain from going into the nitty gritty details in a public forum.
Have a nice “live in your own world” type of nice day eh 🙂
@stellabystarlight RE: October 16, 2012 at 2:11 pm POST
Stella wrote, “I agree with freedom of expression but not to the detriment of another culture.”
The sheer insanely — dripping with irony — fact that you can say such a thing and direct it towards the English while at the VERY same moment take the stance that you take clearly demonstrates that you have the most amazingly mind-boggling set of blinders on with regard to what the French have done in Quebec and are doing in the ROC.
Of course, it’s either that OR you DO see it but argue as if it’s not there JUST BECAUSE (and, IF THAT IS THE CASE then it’s EVEN WORSE)
AND what I point out here … is a perfect example of the difference between you and I.
Have a great “live in the bubble” type nice day eh 🙂
Stella, I’ll ask again….if signs are no big deal, how do you explain this?
http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/2012/10/13/big-retailers-face-new-la_n_1963999.html
Stella, choice of where you live matters little to voicing concern or helping another community.
Hay West a couple of years ago had Farmers from this area sending hay to the West, and another reciporical load of hay came this way recently because of our drought. People send money for foster care to Africa or to help Haiti last year even.
As Canadians, we provide tax to offer a level of care to all and have safety nets in place for all. There are hundreds of Francophone groups getting money from all to only promote French for a few. Is that fair? Why do Francophones need so much assistence? The ones I know are good people and very self sufficient!
Eric asked:
“There are hundreds of Francophone groups getting money from all to only promote French for a few. Is that fair? Why do Francophones need so much assistance? The ones I know are good people and very self sufficient!”
First of all it is not fair -Are there other language groups that get any part of that 624 million in Ontario?no ,no, nota ,none.
Francophones don’t need that much assistance-if any at all -but its like a language welfare ….kinda hard to get off that gravy train…but the 96% of Ontario pay for this.
Yes you fine folks out there pay for them to have their social groups that continue to push for more language rights over and way above that “where numbers warrant” of which the original intent was.
In this context folks the 96% of you pay to have french rights advocates push for french services -thereby your Children and Grandchildren as well as friends have no opportunity to work for their own government .
That 4% of society have over 65% access to those government jobs …
Wake up do you not see that as elitism?
Otherwise sleep sheepish people ,sleep …but dont complain down the road when your family have to move out west because of their second class citizenship.
Piper…..that is heart wrenching, I am crying!!! You really know how to tug at my heartstrings.
Thinking the funds were to help those who could not speak one of the official languages of this country, which is french. It helped those to learn the language in order to apply for better jobs which required french. Looking out for it’s people is what it is called.
STELLA! STELLA! STELLA !STELLA! STELLA! STELLA!
Do I have your attention yet? Please answer my question which I will re-post yet again. If you continue to ignore me, I might just start to take it personally! and how sad would that be. *s*
Stella, I’ll ask again….if signs are no big deal, how do you explain this?
http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/2012/10/13/big-retailers-face-new-la_n_1963999.html
Funny this thread is still going on..
this is very off topic but I think it should be of far more concern than the language issue you guys keep barking about..
No thread about it on CRN either????
In Canada News… Euro style financial crisis very possible for ONTARIO AND ALBERTA… Quebec is least likely to suffer from this.. Take this and chip away at it for awhile
should have read No thread about it on CFN either???
supports bilingualism…..exactly. I have been saying this for months. There is a lot more to worry about then this stupid, childish language issue. The big g and his followers are really looking out for our well being and the good of our country….Ya? OH? OK. To be honest……it is pathetic and laughable at the same time
Stella could you please define the bilingualism that you support?
Oh, that’s easy admin. It’s just got to be that old, what’s your is mine and what’s mine is mine style of bilingualism. OR, if you prefer it’s, —
The French can outlaw the English language in Quebec, rip down the Canadian flag on a whim, take as much majority English speaking Canadian tax dollars as they please, have French only clinics in the province of Ontario while at the same time, if the English even think about (not do, but just think about) doing such things they are bigots and anti French
— style bilingualism.
You’ve heard of it, i’m sure… 😉
Jamie…..”supports bilingualism” is the moniker of the person that posted before me…..look up….just on top of me. I was responding to that post mon ami…..