CFN – Some members of the local language rights group Language Fairness for ALL (LFA) spent a cold, wet Sunday afternoon at Place du Canada, in Montreal Quebec, supporting the Quebec Office of the English Language Unity Rally Against Discrimination.
Upon arrival, the situation was quite intimidating, as 50 or so Quebec police had formed a human shield between two groups of people. Around 200 supporters were peacefully demonstrating, most carrying Canadian flags. In contrast there were also around 40 non-supporters, including a Pro-Separatist Group of young people wearing “red squares” & the Quebecois Patriotic Militant accompanied by it’s founder, Serge Provost, who were antagonizing the crowd chanting, “FLQ, SOS”. I was warned to avoid the ones dressed in camouflage as they were militia & could potentially be dangerous.
Prior to the police involvement, a QOEL member, Antoinette Mercurio, was attacked by young women. Mercurio stated, ” a young girl grabbed my hair from behind and jerked my neck”.
LFA was welcomed by members of the QOEL, including leaders and organizers Hugo Shebbeare & Jimmy Kay. Initially, President of LFA Christopher Cameron was a little taken aback when Mr. Kay presented him with a Quebec flag by planting it on his chest. After some tense moments, Mr.Kay told Chris he was a proud Canadian & Quebecer too. The two men found common ground & united in the demonstration. Originally, this rally was created to denounce the removal of the Canadian flag from Quebec’s National Assembly following the Parti Quebecois recent election victory and it quickly morphed into something greater; a rally to unite Quebecers against political segregation, language discrimination and especially any kind of violence.
Earlier in the day, Beryl Wajsman, Editor of The Suburban, gave an inspirational speech to the crowd, speaking of the “politics of division” that many believe now define the politics of Quebec.
“When you demonize and marginalize minorities-whether because of language, or religion, or creed or ethnicity,” said Wajsman, “…you validate prejudice.”
Sadly, Wajsman’s speech was interrupted by what some described as “anarchists” with loud chanting & disruptive behaviors. Never-the-less, the speech continued and the crowd loved it!
He finished his speech by saying, “Many of us were born here, others arrived to choose freedom. We live here and this is the land where our peoples are buried. We’re not going anywhere. J’y suis, j’y reste.”
A young woman caught my eye wearing a hand made red t-shirt reading 101 with a large X through it and “Help Us” underneath. This woman is a Canadian just like I, although I am from Ontario and she from Quebec. We both fight oppression & discrimination through language. A true democracy would have no place for language laws and together we will fight to end this language apartheid. This is why Language Fairness for ALL chose to travel to Quebec & HELP our fellow Canadians. As Thomas Jefferson so eloquently stated,” If a law is unjust, a man is not only right to disobey it; he is obligated to do so.”
The rally ended with the crowd uniting together in a circle, holding hands and singing O’Canada.
I am proud to have joined in this momentous event, knowing I helped my fellow Canadians fight language discrimination.
Lady with red hair is Antoinette Mercurio.
Below is some footage LFA shot at the rally.
Article submitted by Debbie Cameron of Language Fairness for All.
Thanks Don for another great story of LFA & their unity protest flag rally with our Montreal brothers & sisters in Montreal. The fight is getting heard,many Cornwall business owners are getting very upset as Mayor Kilger & councillors are working hard to pass the ILLUSION that Cornwall is bilingual when 75% are unilingual English.He is opposite of S. S. Mayor Bryan McGillis who opted to pass a law protecting peoples right to choose their own signage, Kilger has been asking city business to put up new expensive bilingual signs which is against their will,against their rights & is a loss of Freedom of Expression, He has no right!!!
Gee, who would have guessed that this was going to happen?
Bravo Mr. Wajsman and even morso against the cacophony of monkey screeching in the background. I will go back and listen many times. It is inspiring that reason and rationality is not completely dead. And if the brave men and women of centuries past – who gave their lives for social justice – were to be transported here today, they might rejoice that a “few” a precious few understand.
Soc November 6, 2012 at 6:08 pm
” And if the brave men and women of centuries past – who gave their lives for social justice – were to be transported here today, they might rejoice that a “few” a precious few understand.”
Thats pretty deep -think of all those Rosa Parks and the many unkowns that stood up over the centuries against social injustices.
To think in my lifetime from segregation to having a black president its amazing even though I am not a democrat.
Sad to say Canada over the same time period has done the opposite and now segregation now occurs ,we need not look far Quebec and Alexandria with segregated school buses.
Is this what has become of Canada,governents need to get out of the language bussines ,for they are the ones that devide the people’s.
Great job LFA!
Cory
Cheers guys. Well done. My hat is off to each and everyone that was there in support.
Excellent.
And thanks for the coverage as i was looking forward to it.
The Tide is Turning… 🙂
This POST was a response to a post in another forum under a different topic but i felt it fit nicely with this topic as well and deserved to be shared with those here as well.
@Dukers1 RE: November 6, 2012 at 5:54 pm POST
Duckers1 wrote, “I am not so sure that Pierre wanted all this disruption, job loss due to unilingualism, disparity of incomes and anger amongst Canadians, pited against each other.”
— There is no way to REALLY know what he thought or wanted but, he has indeed left us with some interesting morsels to chew on while debating these issues and questions.
I hesitate a guess that maybe he just figured that having read the tea leaves and the personality traits of the English (compared to the French) correctly, he then surmised that we would all just simply, and sadly, do (and I include myself with somewhat of a caveat) what we have basically done for the past 30 some odd years.
AND THAT IS … NOTHING… We have sat idly by and let this all happen. What started out as a gesture of inclusion has been warped and hijacked into what we see today, and part of the blame for this is our own apathy. There is, of course, more depth to this story which does deserve a more profound telling but, that is best served in a different forum. What does need to be said here however is, we are now on the brink and MUST no longer bow to apathy and indifference. We NEED to heed the warning signs of this situation as it is literally threatening to consume the English of this country and position it under the umbrella of something “they” call bilingualism which in essence, is nothing less than EVERYONE MUST know French to be Canadian. And THAT is what is at stake here. If, for no one else, this “push back” must take place for our children and their children. If Canada must be divided then so be it, but SOMETHING MUST BE DONE.
PS: There is nothing wrong with having French as a second language in Canada. A language that we can all enjoy and learn “IF WE CHOOSE.”
I know that this protest was all about putting the Canadian flag back in the ‘National assembly but………… how about having a protest about freedom of expression/individual rights!!! With no Canadian Flag, it fuels the Separatists, don’t give them anything symbolic! show them for what they are.Intolerant. Was there any Canadian politician present……….. standing up for the flag? wëre any of them there?? are they ever there?? Sorry but I’m not sporting a Canadian flag and what it’s suppost to stand for when the ”
leaders” are a bunch of sellouts.
Here’s a clip in which one of the peaceful rally participants speaks of how she was reportedly assaulted by one the separatists who tried to crash the rally. http://youtu.be/nbjSGv_B8dw
It doesn’t sound like the Militia are only “defensive” now…. http://www.thestar.com/news/canada/article/915383–new-quebec-group-takes-militant-stance-on-sovereignty
We should never be afraid to voice an informed opinion though.
Hi folks ,
We had a great time in Montreal at the unity rally,met a lot of nice people .
Although these people are from another province there was still the common theme of discrimination through language.
I heard stories from a number individuals of discriminatory behaviors directed at Anglophones from public at large as well as their own government ,one must remember that 1.5 million out of 7 million are anglophones in Quebec.
In fact that there are more anglophones (50%) more in Quebec then there are Francophone’s across the entire country,yet in Quebec they are treated as second class citizens ,do we do this to the francophone population across Canada ? No , thankfully ,but this behavior is readily excepted by Quebec government and our Federal government .
Where is Graham Fraser protecting the rights of anglophones in Quebec ?
Mr.Fraser you must realize that it is as well your mandate to protect the other official language(English),or is this too sensitive an issue for you to address ?
If so tell that to the 1.5 million proud English Quebecers who are oppressed and discriminated against.
Increasingly I am taking note of politicians avoiding the tougher issues as this ,did we as a people vote to have these politicians to avoid issues that affect their livelihoods as well as their daily life?
Discrimination through government language policies reach far and wide in fact from coast to coast :
Newfoundland where 38.9 % public service hires are francophone’s for 0.4% francophone population in N.F.
to:
British Columbia where 45% of the public service is Francophone for the 1.4% of francophone population in B.C.
So where is the fairness when hires are this disproportionate ?
When hires are required to be bilingual ,those with all their credentials and experience but are not bilingual are not considered .
This tells us that language is more important then education,clearly that is wrong ,but excepted.
Take care my fellow Canadians
@Don Smith, Cornwall Free News November 7, 2012 at 2:42 am
@Elizabeth RE: November 6, 2012 at 10:19 pm POST
Elizabeth wrote, “I know that this protest was all about putting the Canadian flag back in the ‘National assembly but………… how about having a protest about freedom of expression/individual rights!!!”
— First off. Well said, RE: our leaders and the fact that they were not there. Where ARE our “federal politicians” in this? I don’t know if anyone contacted any of them. If for no other reason than to have an official response or refusal letter or e-mail saying they will NOT show up. A letter or comment of this sort showing they were contacted and refused would be nice to see. I hope that was done and would like to see that refusal e-mail or letter.
— Second. I do understand where you’re coming from with this Liz but, I also really do think it’s important for these brave folks to stand in defiance ESPECIALLY with those symbols or, as you called them, “Canadian Flags that fuel the Separatists.” They need to be shown that there are Canadians willing to stand tall even with those threats in the backdrop. I commend these brave folks that were there ESPECIALLY for this reason. And plus, if mass media happens to give it some attention, Canadians then get to see how ignorant and anti Canadian these people really are.
Because, in the end Liz, — it really is — ALL ABOUT symbols like the Canadian flag and how these people deplore such things. “Having symbols that will provoke them” is in some ways — key — as it evokes their hatred even more and, if for no other reason, it simply acts to highlight this “extra” hatred for all to see.
Besides, let’s face it, when “they” want to make their statements about anything, they have ZERO reservations about using symbols and no fear about sticking them right in peoples faces as well.
Opps.. that was supposed to say, thanks for posting that clip Don. 🙂
Thomas Jefferson slept with his female slaves and owned hundreds. Can`t you find better famous people to quote other than American`s ? No Canadians with great axioms ? like Laura Secord maybe…or General Brock or Samuel de Champlain?? take your fight to Quebec that is the best place to ignite….they need you more in PQ…
Mariah = Hard to believe Mayor Kilgor would be pushing Bilingual
Signs as you suggest . NONE OF HIS BUSINESS .
If true as you state going to drive a wedge in our City .
Let the Merchant on his own make the decision re signs .
FYI:
Justin Trudeau donated Canada pins & flags for rally, so he was well aware of event!!!
Leave it to Mariah to fabricate stories. She is the one that also said that the VP, Mr. Grieg of the CCH worked at Levi’s. Thinking she should start writing fiction stories.
That was a breathtaking rally!!! I am too emotional and overcome with patriotism to comment at this time. **smile**
Justin Trudeau!!! holy maple syrup!! thatt man and his late father know and knew what it means to be a real Canadian….
Stella feel free to keep you bigoted comments to yourself, no one here will miss them!
Congrat’s to LFA for supporting fellow Canadians in their time of need.
See you at the protest rally at CCH!!!!
Why not provide VISA’s for all people wanting to have theses language chnages. We could send them back to France where thay canlearn how to speak their mother tongue properly.
Oh wait yes I forgot…even France has told the province of Quebec to bloc off
@Debbie Cameron RE: November 7, 2012 at 11:22 am POST
Debbie wrote, “FYI: Justin Trudeau donated Canada pins & flags for rally, so he was well aware of event!!!”
— Thanks for that info Deb. Didn’t know that Mr. “wolf in sheeps clothing — i am a staunch federalist — ” was aware and had donated those things.
@everyone.
— Too bad he didn’t speak on behalf of those million and a half repressed Canadian tax paying citizens who, as a result of repressive fascists laws, are left feeling like second class citizens in their own country.
We all must be VERY wary of those federal liberals as well as the NPD as they are no more for the English than General Montcalm was. They are simply doing what Trudeau instructed them to do — USING federalism — to further the French cause.
In the book Pierre Trudeau, “Federalism” (1968).
Trudeau himself (I mean Pierre 🙂 is quoted in response to a question,
Q – ” ….Given these facts, should French-speaking people concentrate their
efforts on Quebec or take the whole of Canada as their base?:
P.E.T. response – “In my opinion, they should do both; and for the purpose they could find no better instrument than federalism.”
AND they have done both over these years. They have basically hijacked and taken over the province of Quebec “as their base” and then used the legal ease contained in Federalism to further their cause outside of Quebec. All under the guise of Federalism which most of us used to believe was something that would preserve the English language yet it is being used against us to significantly minimize it.
In June 1974 the provincial government of Quebec brought forward Bill 22, to make Joual (French patois) the only Official Language of Quebec and remove English from as an Official language in the province.
This measure was planned by a Cabal of conspirators, consisting of Pierre-Philippe (Elliott) Trudeau, René Lévesque, Jean Marchand, Jean-Luc Pépin and Gérard Pelletier that met at M. Pelletier’s home on Elm Street in Westmount, Quebec.
The meeting was held on November 22, 1963 the day that U.S. President John F. Kennedy was assassinated in Dallas, Texas and was to have a great impact on Canadians. The purpose of the meeting was just as deadly as the killing of JFK was to the Americans because the members of this Cabal were looking for a way to take complete control of Canada and make it a Métis (Canadien) Nation.
What English-speaking Canadians have not realized is that not one of the members at that meeting; one of whom became Prime Minister and the rest senior Ministers of the Canadian government were from their English-speaking community and everything the Cabal did was done in secret to keep them in the dark.
The Trudeau/Levesque plan was to make the majority of English speakers powerless by quick body blows to their community, something that they would never have expected to come from the Métis minority, whom they had assumed, were without power.
They also overlooked another important group of cooperating conspirators, that being the very, very powerful Catholic Church of Quebec whose tentacles reached far and wide across Canada through other Catholic institutions that were not Métis, but were linked to them through the Catholic hierarchy. Unfortunately, the Catholic Churches of English-speaking Canada were in open support of their Métis Catholic brethren in Quebec without understanding the real Quebecois Cabal game plan.
The Cabal’s grand plan was to first make Quebec a UNILINGUAL Joual-speaking (French patois) province, and once past that hurdle to extend the deceit by pushing for BILINGUALISM throughout the rest of Canada. These people were not and are not playing for small potatoes, but are working to take over Canada one province at a time.
BILINGUALISM is in reality a foisting of the JOUAL LANGUAGE (French patois) on the whole of English-speaking Canada, but at the same time making sure that Quebec remains UNILINGUAL Joual. In effect, they employ a pseudo BILINGUALISM to conquer Canada without firing a single shot. Such was the deviousness of the CABAL, that they have convinced the English-speaking majority of Canada into accepting their own demise as a community by guile and deception.
“First Quebec, then we take over the rest of the country, one step at a time…through bilingualism…” PT, “How to take over a country through bilingualism…” SD. How ? First comes the right to communicate with gov’t in a minority language (ie French),then comes bilingualism, then comes the right to work in the language of choice(ie French), then comes a bilingual boss,(ie French) then comes a exclusively French department and on it goes until its all French. Its happening all over the country, Ontario, New Brunswick…That’s what’s really going on.
“My roll as Secretary of State of Canada is first and foremost to ensure that my French compatriots in Canada feel with deep conviction, as I do, that this is their country and that it reflects their image”. “I too had some difficult years as a politician; I’m still having them, in fact, because everything we undertake and everything we are doing to make Canada a French state is part of a venture I have shared for many years with a number of people”. “You know the idea, the challenge, the ambition of making Canada a French country both inside and outside Quebec — an idea some people consider a bit crazy, is something a little beyond the ordinary imagination”. – Serge Joyal, Secretary of State – Page 2 ‘ENOUGH’ by J.V. Andrew. – Serge Joyal – Now in the Senate.
Go learn our proud, real BNA and UEL history. These were the builders of our country since 1763. Not this phony, revisionist lie, this bilingual, multicultural, 2 founding nations, linguistic duality lie, propaganda, spin that we’ve been living with since Trudeau, and kebec forced this upon the nation. We’ve been part of the British Empire since 1763 and officially an English speaking country for over 200 years…just a fact.
Bilingualism – This is THE biggest scam, the biggest fraud and lie ever forced upon the Canadian public. People have no idea what this man Trudeau did to this country.
“Quebec can make French the only official language in spite of the Constitution”. Pierre Trudeau, .
.” ….Given these facts, should French-speaking people concentrate their efforts on Quebec or take the whole of Canada as their base? In my opinion, they should do both; and for the purpose they could find no better instrument than federalism”, Pierre Trudeau,.
“I cannot swear it but I think we were thinking to ourselves,… we are a small group, Trudeau, Pelletier, Marchand, Lalonde, Chrétien, myself and a few people in the civil service, say 50 all told…we were bringing off a revolution. We held the key posts. We were making the civil service bilingual (French), kicking and screaming all the time”. Jean-Luc Pepin, Minister of Industry, 1970.
See what’s really going on? Our history, culture and language is under attack and has been for decades. The proof is all around; just open your eyes and your mind and you will see it.
And just like daddy, Justin Trudeau supports a French only Kebec (bill 101) and forced French (bilingualism) all over the country. Nice eh? Typical Kebec hypocrite.
stellabystarlight
November 7, 2012 at 11:47 am
“That was a breathtaking rally!!! I am too emotional and overcome with patriotism to comment at this time. **smile**”
-Stella -Where you there supporting the separatist and the Quebec patriot militia? why not ?
I was unable to go but thanks LFA for supporting the anglo Quebecers 1.5 million of them .
James Wolfe….if you don’t like this country move to the USA. They wouldn’t put up with your BS there. You would be told to either integrate with other ethnic groups or you shut up……..ca-vas?
@ edudyorlik, point well taken but what of the Feds who (Harper who I voted for) continue to play this game, for lack of better words “sucking up for the french vote? and continue the same old same old? SUPRESSING THE RIGHTS of the MAJORITY ENGLISH speakers of this country? No ONE (major)POLITICIAN will stand up!!! they are cowards. I cannot embrase the Canadian Flag, sorry. What they’re doing is just NOT right!! I don’t hate the French language in fact I live in QC, with a “Quebecois” this LIE they are trying to sell us?? and telling us (bilingualism) is good for us, is not reality. Maybe in certain area’s of the country it’s a plus but they have to stop pushing it like it’s the be all and end all of being Canadian.
well well well
I see you’re still at it right Stella dear?
James Wolfe
November 7, 2012 at 12:50 pm
Well said you are well written and as well knowledgeable,thanks for the informative read.
The message is getting out there -slowly but surely ,people are waking up ,and these tougher economic times will only make the awakening that much quicker.
People at times must have desperation to bring about”Clearer Thinking”
We have to get rid of OLA to bring peace to this Nation.
We had no language problems prior to OLA. Minority ethnic groups integrated with the majority English. Now, minority stella demands we integrate with her minority tribe. Aint this funny?
And we had only 8% separatist movement in Quebec in 1968 (now 30-40%).
@Highlander RE: November 7, 2012 at 9:49 pm POST
Highlander wrote, “RE: James Wolfe November 7, 2012 at 12:50 pm
Well said you are well written and as well knowledgeable, thanks for the informative read.”
— I second that Highlander.
— Absolutely James, I have read Mr. J.V. Andrew as well and it is amazing when one considers he published back in the 70’s and no one took head back then.
And, PS, The James Wolfe moniker — Oh so apropos… Carry on James and Highlander doing great.
@Elizabeth RE: November 7, 2012 at 8:06 pm POST
You’re right Liz., “Not ONE (major)POLITICIAN will stand up!!!”
But think of it this way. They don’t see US the MAJORITY who are the ones getting shafted by this CR@P standing up either so why should they. I have A VERY strong feeling that if there were protests on the parliament hill every second week with thousands of Anglophone Canadian tax payers yelling about all of these issues —
* Bilingualism gone awry.
* The flag being taken down in many French legislatures
* Unilingual Canadians being turned down for jobs as a result of these inane policy’s.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FbrR-0yhEbM
* Quebec not honoring General Wolfe on the Plains of Abraham with his statue etc etc And many more things the English majority tax payers in this country COULD be taking MAJOR issue with.
— our Federal leaders would have a much easier decision standing up (knowing we were coming back the following week in support) and saying we don’t believe it is right to have a policy of hiring only bilingual MP’s and MPP’s etc as this only picks from a small minority of Canadians. Anglo Canadians deserve a chance at these positions as well. Right?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FbrR-0yhEbM
Perhaps if we got our collective act together and showed some B@lls (pardon me but)… they in turn could then feel as though they were being backed up. At least giving them this opportunity would be the fair thing to do. How about “A Canadian spring uprising”? Anyone?
For devil`s advocate….. resolve.. PQ becomes an independant country… small pockets of seperatists win their dream of exclusion from Canada … millions of Quebecors for language and personal reasons flock to Ontario to live ,find jobs, are highly educated and use eastern ontario healthcare support because Ontario is the closest to the PQ border and many have family they wish to keep in contact with..so the job market becomes saturated with former pq redsidents.. the health care system gets swamped and the housing market gets priced out of reach for the average working Ontarian…how is that better for anybody?.. solution!!!! leave them all alone to discover their own path in life or else risk being displaced in Ontario by a fleeing PQ person.. This is Canada . each province has its own right and battles.. just because somone says otherwise does not a law make….eventually th PQ will be turfed at the next provincial election due to alienation and the world will keep revolving..
Let’s hope the seperation occurs ,then the rest of Canada can live in peace and no longer have language segregation.
So all Quebecors who speak french are separatists!!??? Is that the idea.??. like all Germans were Nazis from 1933 onward !! (which was not the case in any form)it seems to be the prevailing feeling this argument some have for our Quebec cousins… to much misinformation …Parti Quebecois is a minority government… they effectively have no power without the other party`s consent.. and the Federal goverment (rep by pop) has a strong NDP presence as opposition in the House of Commons thanks to province of Quebec…so it is not all evil…
If you are going to evoke the Charter of Rights and Freedoms you in fact must recognize Pierre E. Trudeau`s passion to make Canada better in human rights of all shapes and sizes…
@Touchez! RE: November 8, 2012 at 10:00 am POST
Touchez wrote, “So all Quebecors who speak french are separatists!!??? Is that the idea.??”
— Likely not. At the moment it sure would be nice if they were though 🙂
But, on a more serious note. Answer this one. What do you think would happen to a unilingual English male around around say 18-25 years old if he were to walk down St Catherine Street holding a small Canadian flag on St Jean day?
Then once you’re done chewing on that one —
(I KNOW the answer myself, and if you’re honest with yourself and me, both our answers will be the same.) So, go ahead. Strike the pose. Stick your chest and your chin out with unrelenting French pride and answer honestly… Good. Well done Touchez. I knew you could do it.
— Now, add to that… The next question. Do you honestly think anyone from the massive crowd of white and blue would come to that persons aid?
Yeah, that’s what I thought.
I rest my case.
We need to move on. This county can no longer afford such un-appreciative sods that FU*%^K us then and suck the life and money right out of us on an every day basis without so much as a damn kiss.
Oh but, hey (don’t forget – or should that be — Je Me Souviens) Have a nice day eh 🙂
PS: As for the NDP. They are the Bloc only with more expensive nicer suites on 🙂
Stella …there you go again spreading more lies, call Kilger & ask him him if you refuse to hear the truth, & yes he has no business ,everyone please just stick together & say NOOOOOOO .He has no right to take away your choice
It is indeed uplifting to see people exercising their democratic right to demonstrate and support equality.
Dominion Square (Place du Canada) has traditionally been a location where federalists could speak their minds openly and without fear of intimidation. In fact never before in the past 40 years have the separatists interfered or been present there while a rally or speech was being conducted. We have to be concerned about WHY they attended this particular rally:
The separatist camp was instigated and taunted for months by the so-called spokesperson (sic) for the OQLF Hugo Shebbeare. In fact even during the month preceding the rally Shebbeare obsessively indulged his personal war of words with the separatists ad-infinitum on the event page and in other forums repeatedly and systematically taunting and angering the separatists with foul language (which I will not repeat here) and name-calling such as “septard” and “cavemen” and worse.
The demonstrators and the anglo-speaking and ethnic communities who were present at the rally have Shebbeare to thank for the shameful presence of the separatists and while he is not responsible for the despicable demeanor of the nationalists he was well aware of the result his war of words would bring – he was aware because they have done this to him before for precisely the same reasons yet, despite repeated counsel from lawyer Brent Tyler, myself and several other experienced rights activists for Shebbeare to cease and desist from his unacceptable escalation of tensions with the nationalists Shebbeare persisted to raise the stakes and ensure that the separatist camp would be present.
Shebbeare is now a marked man – the separatists over a year ago assured him that they would be at each and every event he prepares, that they will never leave him alone.
So I ask you – is it not time for Shebbeare to step aside and allow a candidate with eloquence and reasonable manners to speak for the anglo and ethnic communities? Would we not be better represented by the eloquence exhibited by Breyl Wajsman on Sunday? Will the OQLA not purge him as a public face for their cause in the better interest of their committee and the community as a whole? Is Shebbeare the type of leader and public voice we need? I say no, he is not, and because he is and will continue to be the target of separatist anger of his own doing over the past year and a half or more, because he refuses to heed the warnings of legal counsel and other more experienced grass roots workers, he will continue to be a ball and chain in the struggle to make gains for our communities and for the collective good we seek to establish.
Without Shebbeare we can go back to demonstrating for fair and equal respect for our rights at Place du Canada, in peace and in safety, without having the police stand guard for the safety and security of all in attendance. Being free and respected to be who we are, in my estimation, does not include having police stand next to us to speak our minds and assemble peacefully because one stubborn, narcissistic, foul-mouthed loose canon cannot control himself. Our communities deserve better.
My thanks go out to the people from Ontario who invested their valuable time to come to Quebec, to Montreal, to support a worthy cause and hope that you will continue to fight for the common good of all Canadians. Somehow I am certain you can be counted on.
To qualify: I seek no position of power or organization. My comments are made in good faith and for the best interest of our collective communities.
Kirk………This is Ontario. Why can’t Quebec deal with their own problems? Why drag Ontario into this? Ontario is a peaceful province and the majority want it to stay that way…..ca-vas?
@edudyorlik November 7, 2012 at 11:25 pm . Yeah your right.
Kirk Bennett
November 8, 2012 at 4:17 pm
Language fairness for all is proud of our anglo’s in Quebec ,together we fight language apartheid across our great country.
Thanks Kirk ,we will be there again to support our fellow Canadains in Quebec .
Together in unity language rights groups from across the country will stop this discrimination.
stellabystarlight November 8, 2012 at 7:56 pm
Why can’t Quebec deal with their own problems? Why drag Ontario into this?
Langauge discrimination crosses all borders,this would never exist were in not for Quebec.
stellabystarlight, should really be ignored.
@Christopher Cameron RE: November 8, 2012 at 8:53 pm POST
Christopher wrote, to Kirk Bennett RE: November 8, 2012 at 4:17 pm POST
Language Fairness for All is proud of our Anglo’s in Quebec; together we fight language apartheid across our great country.
Thanks, Kirk! We will be there again to support our fellow Canadians in Quebec.
Together in unity language rights groups from across the country will stop this discrimination.
— Well said Chris, and to steal a line from my wife that just seems to “say it all” not to mention how it makes me chuckle,
“You’re a good man Charlie Brown.”
AND I ADD…
In a movement where few have the nerve to stand and be counted for various well documented reasons, each and every voice has its own brand of value.
And Kirk, I have a feeling that the charismatic, dynamic, articulate, gripping and magnetic spokesperson which this cause desperately needs and undoubtedly deserves will emerge from a more naturally spontaneous process as opposed to a conscious selection.
That leader will then have to ACT decisively and within a relatively short period of time to lead the path through whatever MUST absolutely be done in order to slow, and then ultimately STOP — then begin to reverse — this cancer that has taken hold of this country.
edudyorlik
November 8, 2012 at 10:29 pm
It has taken 42 years+ to get here ,It will change .
I believe that this will take 1-2 years to bring change ,a relatively short time period considering the duration it took to get where we are today.
But collectively as groups we need to ask that question to those politicians
Do you believe in representation by population with regards to providing french services ?why not?
They can try to avoid/fence sit but during an election 6weeks prior they are the most sensitive .
So which is it Stella?
If you had to hang either the Franco-Ontario flag or the flag of Ontario on your door, which would it be?
You cannot tell me the ‘skull and crossbones’ either as that answer has already been taken by another member of your ilk.
Tell me, you think LFA is dangerous for wanting equal access to jobs, then how do you feel about these people?
http://www.thestar.com/news/canada/article/915383–new-quebec-group-takes-militant-stance-on-sovereignty
Good point Highlander and VERY true. I also strongly contest that during those 42 years it took us to get to this mess we’re in now, many of the “steps” were tiny and may have appeared inconsequential but, THEY WERE NOT. They asked for a law to the Federal government then morphed that into something larger; Then started complaining when the Ottawa bus driver didn’t say, “bonjour” and so on, and so on.
We should take notice of that type of, “little bits at a time” concept and use it to our advantage as well. Despite many who say things like, oh “you’re nit picking” or those kinds of things. I believe that ALL little things add up in the end. As a matter of fact, they have proven to us that it works. It’s like the concept that I large Pyramid starts with one stone, or a journey of a thousand miles begins with one step. I have said it here before and I will say it again, each and every one of us should spare no effort in even the smallest things. As one example… If someone say’s you’re nit picking, be proud and say, “yes, I am. And, that is because I have a right to — and I also deserve to — have my language facing me in the grocery store in my province” just like they did at the beginning early steps of all this.
WE MUST BE — Proud of our language and our heritage to the nth degree … Just as they are.
PS: as for the politicians. I 100% agree. We should no longer accept the “Bob Rea” — laughing while he say’s it — “well that’s just the way it is. It’s as simple as that” style response to, questions like why are those position resigned to being available to ONLY 17% of the population.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=suZSmbMah5k
We must make him and politians accountable for that little smirk of his and PUSH beyond and demand to know WHY this is the case and WHY he is so blaze about the response as if the 83% English people he is speaking about just don’t matter.
read Mr Bennett`s message closely.. he denounces agitators and insulters who undermine peaceful means of solving problems.. even the Anglo question in Province de Quebec cannot agree on the representation….. so its 2 sides to every story still…
To admin.. good luck with your tv pilot.. you certainly have imagination with all your life experiences……
Cory, I hang the Canadian flag only because I am a proud Canadian. We are one nation!!!
Cory, the world is changing and so must we. Jobs are being lost for many different reasons. Blaming unemployment or saying someone was turned down for a job because of language is absurd. Yes….it may have happened to some, but one must look at the bigger picture. Interviews are based on many different things. It is a very competitive market today. There are only so many jobs to go around and let me assure that it is going to get worse before it gets better. Looking for work today, is a fulltime job in itself.
To blame language for everything that goes wrong in this country and to complain about taxes and how they are spent is futile. The gov will spend our tax dollars as they see fit. Even if our tax dollars towards french programs is downsized………in the end what will it do for you or your group.
Which brings me to this point……..why all the BS if in the end you have nothing personally to gain?
You see I knew you would not understand, Stella.
You wrote:
“Which brings me to this point……..why all the BS if in the end you have nothing personally to gain?”
It’s not about acts of selfishness, Stella. You don’t get the concept, don’t understand it and probably never will. Evil flourishes when good people do nothing. I think (hope) that deep down in your subconscious there may be a glimmer of love in your heart. You told us yourself before Marois was elected that you thought she didn’t have a chance in Hades of being elected. Yet a few months from then here we are today seeing the negative impacts of her election. When good people allow bad government policies to seep into our daily lives then it is up to us as good citizens to ensure that these notions are properly dealth with. All Quebecers, should be speaking up against these language laws due to their unfairness. But they aren’t. It’s only the people who are negatively impacted by this that are speaking up about it. To me, this speaks volumes about the collective Quebec consciousness.
And now, we see this stuff happening in Eastern Ontario. For me, I cannot get over the flying of a flag that represents only one cultural group. Richard has made note of inclusivity in having French/English mandatory on signs but where is the inclusivity in having only French kids on school buses? How about the Franco-Ontario flag that represents only one cultural group? This is a colossal step backwards into segregation and undemocratic principles.
If I were in power I would attempt to sell republican democratic ideals to the Canadian public. Parliamentary democracy is not working and we need real democratic principles to guide our nation.
Looking to the United States’ political makeup. I really thought that Barack Obama had it together and could have done something good for his nation. But instead of the time of hope and change I see very little hope and no real change in the last four years. I’m not particularly fond of Romney either. But to re-elect Obama for his second term is to simply extend his showboating ways. He sounds good, looks good but doesn’t deliver the goods. He’s junk food, empty calories.
I think John Kerry would have made an excellent President and honestly think he would have turned America around for the better. Canada needs a John Kerry and it won’t be found in Justin Trudeau, a populist with no real platform of his own.
Cory……..don’t faint!! I have to agree with you in part. The above post is interesting indeed. I have to head out, but I will get back to you.