CFN– Bilingualism activist Jean Lecompte and I made a wager awhile back about whether Quebec was really part of Canada of not. I said it was and Mr. Lecompte after reviewing information shared by our viewers in the story sent in the following email.
Hi! Jamie,
I apologize for my delay in responding to your appropriate celebratory wording.
I am not a daily checker my e-mails.
From the many responses to my statement, it appears that I rightfully owe you a coffee, a deal I plan to live up to . . .
Let me know the WHEN & WHERE of your availability.
Actually, I thank you for eliciting such a multitude of reactions to my statement. They have been enlightening.
Notwithstanding the paucity of accredited constitutional experts’ input among the responses , I did find enough to confirm a heartfelt fervent wish of mine, that there be no easy loopholes through which Quebec could slip out of our Confederation.
I especially would like to thank Jean Serge whose input reminded us of the historical documents that brought about our nation’s cohesion, namely,
1. The Treaty of Paris (1763)
2. The Quebec Act (1774)
3. The Act of Union (1840)
4. The British North American ACt (1867) i. e. The Constitution Act (1867)
5. The Constitution Act (1982) .
* The Consitution Act of 1982 which contains the Charter is just one of two parts of our constitution.
The clincher, for me, really came from the kerfuffle around the debate of the presence of the Canadian Flag at the Quebec parliament when, in the words of M. Laurent Lessart, the liberal opposition whip”s statement, “Tant que le Québec fera partie de la fédération canadienne, il serait inacceptable de retirer le drapeau canadien de la salle du conseil législatif..
Coming from a prominent legislative Quebecer it reassures me of the legal bonds that link our two major cultures..
LONG LIVE QUEBEC WITHIN CANADA!
LONG LIVE CANADA!
Waiting to hear from you,
Jean R. Lecompte
I think it’s amazing when people can exchange ideas without toxicity or anger and come to common ground. Cheers to Mr. Lecompte and a Coffey’s Coffee for both of us!
Are there really just two cultures in Canada? There are two official languages, but cultural references span our Native and Inuit people, as well as a multitude of cultures from virtually the world over.
Language alone does not define culture. What about French speaking people who come from Zaire, or Haiti? What about English speakers from Ireland, Australia, or South Africa?
One of the constraints on English speakers, is that sometimes they’re confused with being British (alone).
Jimmy Olsen, Madame Mellieur, our Ontario Minister for Francophone Affairs, has gone to great lengths to incorporate anyone who can say the word the Francophone. In 2009, she was able to change the French Language Services Act to add many more people that you point out, to the flock.
Overnight the number percentage went from 4.2% to 4.8% of Ontario’s total population.
Just a month ago, Immigration Ontario put changes in place to bolster the Francophone numbers, and Ontario Courts have mandated more Francophone jobs as well.
A constraint this English speaker sees, is that we do not have hundreds of English groups flying under the radar to increase English services at great expense and without any kind of actual needs test.
I for one find this refreshing Mr Lecompte et Mr Gilcig having terrific tasting fresh coffee together from a local business. That is called real communication and understanding . leave the war of words out of it though please between the 2 solitudes… bravo .. just sit back and discuss how great Canada is and savour that coffee.it is good coffee by the way so both win! Oui !Le Quebec fait parti du Canada.
@Eric. Yes. All I can think of is that there’s no unifying force for the ROC. In fact, if you live in say Collingwood Ontario or Kamloops, or Regina, the whole issue is so distant that it’s not even on peoples’ radar screens.
It is this strategy of stealth that’s in favour of continued devolution of rights.
When I mention to young parents whose babies are born far from the direct affects of this issue and say – you better make sure your children are bilingual – they look at me like I’m crazy. Or, they suggest their kids certainly are bilingual because they speak both Punjabi and English, Italian and English or Mandarin and English. They really don’t know…
Add to the fact that “Lecomptisme” may be widespread amongst the Quebec francophone (pure lain) population…meaning a whole bunch of people who don’t even believe Quebec is part of Canada.
It’s screwed up to say the least.
Eric very well said – no English advocacy groups sponsored by the government.
Government is the LAST hope.
I’m am by no means and indiscriminate government basher. But understand that no “thinking” politician can or will take this on. It’s suicide. It’s immense. And only history books – 2 or 3 hundred years from now – if written by unbiased historians that is – will summarize the path that led to a “new” conquest on the modern day Plains of Abraham that should potentially be called the plains of apathy.
BTW, I don’t point fingers. I myself am part of the apathetic. I don’t possess the skills, personality or smarts to do anything that would make a difference.
That’s not true Jimmy Olsen. You’d be surprised how little it takes to make a difference. Mostly showing up is a good start. Sending an occasional message. Voting. Yes, it gets more complex from there, but little things can add up to big things. 🙂
Mr. Lecompte you can stand tall and proud. This speaks volumes of the man you really are.
Jimmy…..This language issue is overblown to the point of ridiculousness. Yep according to the english, but not all of course, the entire country is behind them. The inflated numbers and their claims are outrageous and laughable. Actually while picking out Christmas cards today, there were greetings cards in 9 different languages……in an Ontario store no less. Like I said before, they can brag about being the majority…but not for long.
I am still wondering and concerned……does anyone know if cory got a reply from the UN?
Jimmy Olsen
November 22, 2012 at 5:04 pm
Do not feel that you cannot make a difference ,for that is true apathy ,you are speaking up here : that in itself is a form of action against systemic discrimination .
Do not worry about Julie lec (stella) -she is related to Mr.Lecompte she is the blogging school yard bully -she is a propaganda in the truest form .
She would rather spread propaganda then debate or even provide facts or figures to verify her stand ,she prefers to target the group LFA or Mr Galgonov then prove if their statement is wrong .
She has proven nothing but continues to spread misinformation and propaganda for this is all she has in this debate.
Jimmy you are welcome to visit LFA website at Languagefairnessforall.org perhaps you can play a part and make a difference many commit what they can ,but Its a great sense of empowerment to know that you are making a difference against discrimination.
Stella, Our local freedom-fighters should be picketing Christmas card vendors that sell non-English cards. There’s absolutely NO excuse for these merchants to be insulting the English population this way! Nine different languages you say? That’s almost treasonous! Let’s hope people around here finally wake up, and drive these non-English speakers far away. We don’t need them around here!
@ Stella, since you think Mr. L should stand tall, perhaps you should take his lead and admit you’ve got a few facts bass-ackwards. You actually think people object to multilingual Christmas cards? LOL!!! Quite the opposite. Businesses should also be able to extend greetings in the language of their choice.
Maybe you should go for a coffee.
Jean Lecompte wrote, “no easy loopholes through which Quebec could slip out of our Confederation.”
All i can say is,, darn.
Guess we’ll just have to find a way.
Just like the buddy who’s been mooching money, food, and cigarettes while sleeping and farting on your couch for three and a half years as a result of a heart felt offer to help him out for a few short weeks, it’s time to say au revoir
Enjoy your coffee’s but remember, even though he’s paying it’s likely (through all the transfer payments, miscalculated as a result of the lower hydro rates scam not to mention all the other money we throw at “them” that you are the one actually paying in the end anyways.
adminNovember 22, 2012 at 5:06 pm
Admin wrote, “That’s not true Jimmy Olsen. You’d be surprised how little it takes to make a difference. Mostly showing up is a good start. Sending an occasional message. Voting. Yes, it gets more complex from there, but little things can add up to big things.”
SOOOOOO very true sir… we should all heed these inspiring words of sheer wisdom…
One little pebble dropped in the same spot hour after hour after hour day after day will eventually be a huge pile of rocks Now apply that to whatever you wish to accomplish and you can see how it can work out.
Jimmy Olsen
November 22, 2012 at 5:00 pm
Wrote, “if written by unbiased historians that is – will summarize the path that led to a “new” conquest on the modern day Plains of Abraham that should potentially be called the plains of apathy.”
Unfortunate but true. Unless of course we WAKE up in the final hour and squeak out a victory which historians can alternatively say, was well fought 😉
It’s up to THE PEOPLE…
A man you know well right Stella? But I will agree with you on that one.
Merci C`est drole, il est bon de savoir que vous reconnaître un bon café.
Jimmy…..now listen carefully so you can better understand, I will try to explain in simpler terms. The point of the christmas card comment was to say that other languages other then French and english are surfacing big time in this country. Up to now, do you get it?
That being said, with 260,000 immigrants entering this country yearly, soon hon, the english will be the minority along with the french……ca-vas?
Actually Rosie, I do not know the man, but anyone of his stature who respects a bet and honors it, speaks volumes of who he is. Thinking Jamie was surprised to hear from him. Happy they are getting together….nice gesture on both sides.
Yep Ed…..check it out at the nearest *Hallmark* store near you. Perhaps if we star a group it can be fought. **smile**
Again…..does anyone know if cory got an answer from the UN yet? I am starting to get concerned **smile**
Of those 260,000 immigrants, the majority will learn english as their second language.In turn, .their children will be raised knowing english as their first language..Not unlike generations before us.
ferris so why does this group say English is illegal in Ontario!!?? they exaggerate if what you say is true.. but lots of the immigrants will take french immersion in our public schools.. it makes for better society.. when you have more choices….
ferris, on the outskirts of Toronto, most residents speak their mother tongue first……which is not english nor french. This was taken from a Toronto paper. That being said, why the hoopla about language? We are going to be the minority sooner then what you think. Then what? Are the english going to try and fight every nationality that enters this country and expect to win? Not going to happen!!! The language issue is more prevalent in Quebec and should remain in Quebec.
“We are going to be the minority sooner than you think”
..Very troubling quote, sounds more racially motivated than language..If in the future the vast majority of Canadians speak a language other than English well so be it..It’s not about the language or the people who speak it..It’s the jobs..money and lost opportunities..Don’t be afraid for the french language and culture..it will survive..The future is good..welcome it.
Touchez..I can’t speak for the LFA and yes, I’ve read some pretty blown up stories..Have you read mine?..I usually only read the blogs that have beaucoup thumbs down..I’ll agree with you on french immersion program..my kids are in it.
Correction:
ferris…..So I guess you read many of my blogs…..LMAO!!!
..your #1 fan.
For some retards here: The English do not fight any nationality, including the French.
People here argue about English and French but we are becoming a minority. Where I live here in Ottawa I as a Canadian am a minority and all throughout Ottawa it is the same we Canadians (the whites) are becoming the very few. We used to have people from Europe but they are very few and mostly come from third world countries.
There is a book called “Two Solitudes” and I haven’t read it yet but like to if I can locate it. It is very important to know French and if we do not wake up and get along we are going to lose our heritage and I am not joking about this. We have quite a history to be proud of and should not fight over small things but learn to get along with one another before something awful serious happens. Get on your knees and thank the Good Lord for all the blessings that he has given to all of us.
Wow Jules! I had no idea we Canadians were white skin only. You should realize that we Canadians all descended from immigrants of many different skin colours. A Canadian has nothing to do with skin colour. Those non-white, non-Canadians you speak of will be Canadian as Canada is a multi-cultural country.
Ferris
November 23, 2012 at 4:11 pm
“We are going to be the minority sooner than you think”
..Very troubling quote, sounds more racially motivated than language
-So very true very racially motivated ,ethnocentric in the very least .
-All cultures respected ,not just one.
Is this about language or race?..don’t be afraid for your heritage and culture..fear is contagious..can be dangerous..let our country take its course..we are a strong proud nation..why fear the future? Show some confidence in your roots.
piper says “all cultures respected, not just one”…..OMG. Where is the respect for french people? I like the way this guy takes everyone’s quotes and turns it around to suit himself. No ideas of your own?
Again…..why should we be afraid? Thinking the english should be more afraid because soon they will no longer be the majority in this country. In bigger cities….it has already happened. On the outskirts of Toronto and someplaces in Toronto, the predominant language that is spoken is not english nor french. Thinking this LFA gang and others should head west…..and give us peace of mind with their BS.
stellabystarlight November 25, 2012 at 8:37 am
” piper says “all cultures respected, not just one”…..OMG. Where is the respect for french people?”
See people once again Julie Leco (Stella) being ethnocentric yet again.
French First,right Julie ?French First.
jules November 24, 2012 at 7:20 pm
” Where I live here in Ottawa I as a Canadian am a minority and all throughout Ottawa it is the same we Canadians (the whites) are becoming the very few.”
Jules I have to say I am disappointed in you for this statement I would have expected that statement from Julie L (Stella),but I thought you to be more openminded .
I guess I am not Canadian enough as I am note pure white ,but some of my ancestral roots date back 1000’s of years ago.
Canadian is a mix of many cultures from French ,Chinese (many generations ago) Natives to even English and many others.
Wake up French Ethnocentric’s you should welcome ethnic diversity ,for Canada’s Social fabric becomes only stronger for it.
Canada is of many cultures whether you except it or not!!!
There goes the piper again turning and twisting our blogs to suit himself and by so doing trying to make it look like we are to blame for the problems of the world, ethnocentric and prejudiced…..OMG
We certainly accept different ethnic groups or cultures..more then what you could say about the french culture.
correction:I said all cultures are to be respected not just one.
Yea, stella. It’s never enough for French zealots like yourself. French language and culture embedded in the Charter and the OLA. French occupy 65% of civil service positions in federal government alone and they are grossly over-represented even in non-bilingual regions. French groups, and only French groups, are showered with million$ for their “community development”.
It’s time for Anglos to stop the ABUSE. Get rid of OLA and seriously rework our Constitution. Perhaps, that would make you, the French bully, respect Anglos a bit more.
Tim, you say that “French occupy 65% of civil service positions in federal government alone and they are grossly over-represented even in non-bilingual regions.” Can you back up that statement with some proper statistics, or at least provide a link to those stats? Don’t forget to include ALL the federal civil service such as the RCMP, the Canadian military, Parks Canada, Department of Fisheries and Oceans, Canada Post, etc.
I think you are blowing smoke. Prove me wrong.
On November 25, 2012 at 7:49 pm
Ed wrote,”Tim, you say that “French occupy 65% of civil service positions in federal government alone and they are grossly over-represented. Can you back up that statement with some proper statistics, or at least provide a link to those stats?”
Ha.. Ed, we don’t need stats or “proper stats” whatever that might be t prove the French have taken over this government. If you want proof just go and sit in the cafeteria in just about ANY government building in Ottawa and “surrounding area” and by that i DO include Gatineau which btw, you’d be hard pressed to find even 1 English person employed by the “province” of Quebec government. Oh and that also includes the cleaning staff and staff tending the cafeteria as well.
And, even if you did find one or two it’s for certain they wouldn’t be speaking the “common language” of the country within which that province resides. Oh, in case you’re not familiar THAT WOULD BE — ENGLISH — for fear of being run out for the city.
Julie L wrote:
” piper says “all cultures respected, not just one”…..OMG. Where is the respect for french people?”
Your own words bias you ,for I did not refer to one culture as had I refered to all.
” we are to blame for the problems of the world, ethnocentric and prejudiced…..OMG”
No blame to you for the problems of the world as you propagandized us to do,but your ethnocentric and prejudiced well we will let your own words speak for themselves.
stellabystarlight November 25, 2012 at 8:37 am
OMG. Where is the respect for french people?
stellabystarlight November 23, 2012 at 10:26 am
That being said, with 260,000 immigrants entering this country yearly, soon hon, the english will be the minority along with the french……ca-vas?
stellabystarlight November 22, 2012 at 5:33 pm
Christmas cards today, there were greetings cards in 9 different languages……in an Ontario store no less. Like I said before, they can brag about being the majority…but not for long.
What these constitute is fear mongering with immigrant’s Julie ,what is with you and spreading fear of the immigrants and you call LFA BIGOTS ….LOOK IN THE MIRROR .
Hi Everyone,
Can we all address each other by our user names please. Your humble moderator is more burdened work wise than normal and it expedites the process and gives me less work if we can all do that.
Thanks,
j
A new online CROP poll was conducted for the Association of Canadian Studies. It includes a question on bilingualism.
Results are described in http://news.nationalpost.com/2012/11/25/despite-will-and-kate-poll-shows-lagging-canadian-support-for-monarchy/
“…the policy of official bilingualism and the 1982 patriation of the Constitution…posted significant negatives — especially bilingualism.
36% of respondents felt official bilingualism was of little or no importance to their pride in Canada, while 25% shrugged off Canada getting its own constitution.”
The article notes, but does not break down, clearly “asymmetrical” responses from Quebec and English Canada, which would confirm our narrative here.
That’s pretty weak Edudyorlik. Tim stated something that I think is BS. And you say that I should hang out in some Ottawa cafeterias? I’d like to see some stats on this 65% claim by Tim. Let’s have some reasonable argument here, with some back-up to the numbers being tossed out. Telling someone to sit in a cafeteria doesn’t cut it.
awh no more piper? I kind of like that one.
Admin :
For surly you know for I am not the G,
But constantly for Stella refers to me as he,
I have advised that he is not me ,but thee is Julie.
For thee by the name of Julie,may be upset at me,
For I know thee and she not me ,so why disrespect the G by stating I am he?
For she is incorrigible as she as her posts become deplorable ,the rants hit all spheres while creating all those fears .
For her name is divulged as she posts incessantly and is indulged ,for she she is unable to keep it mentally stable.
Yes Highlander. I’m hoping that ye & she see that by being kind can truths be find. 🙂
@Ed RE: November 25, 2012 at 9:58 pm POST
Ed wrote, “Pretty weak”
— “Pretty weak?”
Maybe it “doesn’t cut it” for you Ed but, to be honest, I really have nothing to prove — TO YOU –
I am comfortable with my personal experience of how ingrained this cr@p is in the capital city of this country (or, should i say like J. Trudeau, “Quebec’s country”) based on what I can clearly see with my own two eyes. Don’t need some stats person telling me this is the case.
That’s like saying, you need a weather person to tell you if it’s raining or not outside when all you have to do is damn well freekin look out the window.
The fact that my wife cannot gain employment within MOST areas in her field of expertise in Ottawa —
(which btw happens to be within her own English majority ruled country) because they are all “demanding” bilingualism as not just an asset but TOTAL “requirement”
— is yet another way I can tell without the aid of some stats person.
What is dreadfully shameful is that this wonderful country is being pushed around and dictated to by a miniscule (excluding the “province” of Quebec) 4-8% French minority.
No one living in Ottawa needs stats to KNOW — and feel — the discrimination that is going on in Ottawa (and surrounding areas). Just ask the unilingual police officer who couldn’t work in Vanier ONTARIO, or the hundreds of bilingual (but not enough) nurses who can’t gain employment in MOST (if not all) hospitals in Ottawa ONTARIO just to name a few.
I would concede that stats may be necessary in some smaller areas where it would be harder to tell perhaps but, Ottawa? Naw, it’s as plain as the nose on your face.
PS. Next time you want to know if the water in your tub is hot or too cold, try sticking your toe in it.
Oh and, have a nice day eh 🙂
The highlander is a joker, and wrong is he,
For as the Julie, I am not she
But who is this Julie I am supposed to be
I know for sure, it isn’t me.
The piper keeps piping, and tries to be
The king of the castle, but it sure isn’t he
The stories he tells, shamed should he be
But he continues piping, for all to see
That’s cool edudyorlik. We’ll just accept anything you say as the truth. No need for you to back up your claims. That better?
ALL hail King EDUDYORLIK… Sounds good Ed…
Woooooo hoooooo
_____\||/
_____(o o)
—-ooO-(_)-Ooo——-
I guess you have no windows and MUST depend on people to tell you whether it is raining or not eh…
To: Edudyorlik:
Right on , as they said in the 1970’s. The proponents of forced bilingualism, know that if enough francophones have jobs, their economic status and therefore, their power increases.
Multiply this across the board, and the majority’s power is econinically raped.
This is how through the process of forced bilingualism works, that we will loose control of our heritage and the majority will be governed by the french minority. Most, if not all francophones will vote for forced bilingualism ensuring jobs they have beeen bribed with.
It is therefore vital, to establish a politiccal party that is representative and reflective of the English majority within , not only Ottawa and eastern Ontario, but English Canada as well.
I have repeatedly stated
1) formation of an All English party
2) the major platform of this party , Get raicst quebec OUT of COnfederation
Listen to the blogs here, nonsense that a western democratic country such as ours is being forced to have any language legislated to us.
Are we not free to choose? If the answer is no, and it is, because we are FORCED to have french shoved down our throats, then it is time to get choice back, and take away the reason for forced bilingualism in the first place.
Hopefully CFN will post my blog, for some mysterious reason they choose not to post all I have submitted without a reason given to me
Jim Quealey
Mississauga