LTE – Mike Bedard is not Happy With Cornwall City Council Performance & More – January 16, 2013

Mike Bedard
Mike Bedard

Cornwall Council Losing Support

Cornwall City Council could NOT do a better job of losing support from those in the community.  City Council has done a wonderful job of letting down so many in the community and this year’s budgeting process is no better!
Here is a short list of those who may feel slighted and/or left wanting more from our current Council and Mayor:

  • Cornwall Community Hospital – We need an MRI machine and due to the large funding initiatives brought forward for the construction and renovation of the Hospital the community could not afford to give anymore.  If council would have seen that the community was going to be affected by the recession and that the government was going to soon reduce transfer payments then it could have easily have afforded to support the hospital further by donating to ensure Cornwall gets an MRI machine!   I love the Benson Centre but it blows my mind to see how much we spend on a hockey arena vs. health care!   …But then again nothing surprises me with this council!   This council has the potential to perform anywhere in between Amazing and WTF……unfortunately I find myself saying WTF far too often!

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  • Language Fairness for All – Although I fully agreed with supporting the hospital and not for withdrawing or holding on to funds.  Council could have communicated better and tried to find common ground and have supported both sides of the debate instead of one!   Politically speaking these are very difficult times but nothing is impossible if believe and strive to achieve the goal!  Sometimes getting involved behind the scenes and bringing two sides together is easier than you would have thought!   However, staying neutral and doing nothing may reduce risk and work but you will be never become great unless you work harder than everyone else!

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  • Cornwall Free News – after creating a special bylaw stating that it would not advertise with any on-line media firm who allows anonymous post; Cornwall continued to spend money with all its current media outlets but one (The Cornwall Free News); who allowed anonymous post!  Why?

 

Only one logical reason would explain this action, the Cornwall Free News had placed articles and posted questions that highlighted or made the community aware of certain things the Mayor and Council wanted to hide behind closed doors!

 

  • The General Public – Council Andre Rivette won a small battle vs. the rest of council and more importantly the Mayor by proving that the Mayor was out of line when he allowed councillors to attack him personally in a closed door meeting!  The general public where angered and unfortunately not a single councillor other than Mr. Rivette even addressed the public.

 

Why, in an effort to remain transparent, where council and the clerk not informing the public of closed door meetings?  Is this not mandatory or at least shouldn’t it be if you truly want to be transparent?  Was this intentional and more importantly why?  Should you be ostracized for asking these questions?

 

Why didn’t anyone on council make an attempt to respond – ex. “Council (I) would like to thank you for attending but unfortunately we cannot discuss any details at this time.  We (I) would like to ensure you that we (I) are acting accordingly and cannot answer any direct questions to protect the integrity and relationships with all of those involved!  When council has further information we will provide you with as much detail as possible!”……………………………Oh, wait I forgot!  You would have to care and put some effort forward to do something as frugal as a proper media release!   Wait don’t we pay someone to do this?  Why are we paying someone to respond for our elected municipal councillors?  Do they not get paid to perform as a politician?  Can we cut costs by eliminating the position?

 

  • Leslie O’Shaughnessy – Resigned after he could NOT deal with all of the scrutiny involved with so many closed door meetings……….or so we think!  We were promised a reason from Leslie a long time ago but to this day Mr. O’Shaughnessy has not released anything!   I respect his decision to step away from such a regressive council but he must realize his supporters deserve answers!  Good Luck Leslie and I hope eliminating the work load and stresses of the position have improved your quality of life!

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  • The Cornwall Community Action Group – Was formed by a leadership of Gerry Benson, Sandy Cameron, Dr. Michel Dubuc, Roy Perkins and a few others.   The group claims that City Council has burdened the community with high taxes and claims that our community would benefit from a tax freeze or reduction in the tax levy.  Currently we are going to see a big tax increase and despite the advertised tax rates we are paying more than the 2.9% advertise!  A few years ago our average assessed home was near the $100,000 mark and now we sit around $160,000!

 

Due to increased assessments and continuous tax rate increases, the burden to the tax payer constantly rises unless the tax rate is decreased!  Please do not be confused by this since it is very simple!  Your assessed value of your home times the tax rate gives us your property taxes (not including education, water and other taxes)!   If your house assessment continues to rise and the tax rate did not change (or saw a 0% rise – this is what would be advertised) you would still pay more in taxes!

 

Ex. 2010 – $100,000 (assessed home value) x .018 (Tax Rate) – $1,800

2011 – $120,000 (assessed home value) x .018 (Tax Rate) – $2,160

2012 – $140,000 (assessed home value) x .018 (Tax Rate) – $2,520

In a perfect world council would maintain and look for savings by holding division managers to tight budgets and ensure the community is not over burdened with taxes!  Ensure our Seniors and less fortunate do not need to visit the AGAPE or use Ontario Works as frequently and continuously work to reduce the number of people on assistance by ensuring our quality of life and employment is better than any other community!

South Stormont vs. South Glengarry

Congratulations to South Glengarry for showing true brilliance!  If there is no problem present then there is no need to address a negative and (for lack of a better term) useless proposal!

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Although, South Stormont had a different amendment they still didn’t catch such a clearly stated point in South Glengarry!  Due to Robert’s Rules of Order you cannot reaffirm a current position and also negative positions such as “Not Mandate” are clearly out of order!

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Here is why:  You cannot reaffirm a bylaw or position.  What if it loses?  Then you have a motion with no solution.   A motion must be to make a change!  Furthermore, it cannot bind future councils therefore cannot state what people cannot support!  For example a sign bylaw can state dimensions and can state what languages it must be written in but cannot say that no future council can ever change the bylaw.  Also, if there is no bylaw stating which language must be written on signs then you are FREE to do as you please!
Mr. Galganov wasted supporter’s money by not properly preparing nor presenting a suitable motion to council……………………..but really the only people upset with this:

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1) The Hospital Protesting Language Activist and

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2) Everyone else because we are sick of hearing this small group complain about Quebec and other counties!!!!!   Stick to our current issues and trying to provide valid solutions to improve our community!

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Change the things you feel are wrong by going to those communities and stop wasting tax payers dollars by tying up our Council’s who obviously have more important things to do after coming out of a recession and staring a potential new one in the face!

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Thank You,
Mike Bedard

(Comments and opinions of Editorials, Letters to the Editor, and comments from readers are purely their own and don’t necessarily reflect those of the owners of this site, their staff, or sponsors.)

Cornwall Free News

209 Comments

  1. Ed, who are you to tell what we should stick with or not? We are not children and you are not our father. Nobody is asking for your opinion. Got it?

  2. @ Highlander RE: January 18, 2013 at 6:35 pm
    GREAT POST.
    EVERYONE SHOULD click this link and READ THIS, PLUS IT”S ASSOCIATED LINKS.

    spera
    January 18, 2013 at 4:31 pm

    “Look at the three judges who agreed with the section (2B) of the charter and then turned ariound and said it didn`t matter because the french cause was right”

    “Are you kidding me, when judges say they can arbratrairly be above the law, then please tell me sir, WHAT`S left to do”

    http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/whistleblower-prompts-call-for-more-debate-on-whether-bills-violate-charter/article7449909/?utm_source=Shared+Article+Sent+to+User&utm_medium=E-mail%3A+Newsletters+%2F+E-Blasts+%2F+etc.&utm_campaign=Shared+Web+Article+Links

  3. @ Anglo. Isn’t this a privately owned moderated forum? Are you the new moderator now? I don’t give a rats tail what you freedom-fighters post. If you guys enjoy being laughed at, by all means, keep on posting what you’ve been posting. You only have yourselves to blame for the failure of your cause.

  4. @ Highlander RE: January 18, 2013 at 6:35 pm
    GREAT POST.
    EVERYONE SHOULD click this link and READ THIS, PLUS IT”S ASSOCIATED LINKS.

    spera
    January 18, 2013 at 4:31 pm

    “Look at the three judges who agreed with the section (2B) of the charter and then turned around and said it didn`t matter because the french cause was right”

    “Are you kidding me, when judges say they can arbratrairly be above the law, then please tell me sir, WHAT`S left to do”

    http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/whistleblower-prompts-call-for-more-debate-on-whether-bills-violate-charter/article7449909/?utm_source=Shared+Article+Sent+to+User&utm_medium=E-mail%3A+Newsletters+%2F+E-Blasts+%2F+etc.&utm_campaign=Shared+Web+Article+Links

  5. @ John

    You comment on everything, yet you fail to diclose why you attack organizations, such as Alliance quebec and accuse them of being radical.

    I sent you a post yesterday and you choose to ignore it, why ?

    i was a member of AQ and please answer which of the statements I listed yesterday were radical.

    You also say you are for bilingualism and quebec being in canada

    can you explain this when quebec is NOT BILINGUAL

    You certainly can criticize, but are very quite when you make claims you CANNOT BACK UP

    You sir, are in no position to judge anyone, given your non reponses to questions posed to you here

  6. @ John

    you are judgemental of others and yet you refuse to answer questions about you own positions that are contradictory;

    You say you want A bilingual Canada, yet you also say your Cnaada includes quebec

    John ,quebec is NOT bilingual

    You also made accusations that Alliance quebec was radical.

    Please from my post yesterday,( Jan 18th at 5:18 p.m.) in which I outline our goals and policies, which of them are radical

    So ,John you are in no position to judge anyone’s beliefs or proposals, given you track record.

    To say Alliance quebec was radical, is an out and out lie

    if so, please list our radical ideas, if you can’t, then as the expression goes, if you can’t put up, then — up

  7. @ ed

    well ed, Anglo wasn’t warned by admin to rein it in, was he?

    And Ed, your very judgemental of what Canadians and others are truly feeling

    Have you taken a poll or something we are not aware of ?

    If not, maybe it is YOU, that should refrane from making statements that only you stella and john seem to agree with.

    From where I sit, the majority here are pro-freedom fighters,

    who for the most part back up thier claims with substicanted facts from crediable sources.

    I have yet to see that from you, stalla or john.

    just an observation.

  8. @ Peter. Is Leo your “cousin”?
    Yup. Admin has tuned me in a few times in the last year or three. It’s his site, so that’s cool.
    Don’t you get it that you guys won’t get any credibility by posting childish rants about anything French? If I was a freedom-fighter concerned about unfair hiring policies, I wouldn’t pollute my cause with BS posts about boycotting French owned businesses, and kicking Quebec out of Canada, etc. At this point yous are looking like fools who don’t know whether to poop or go blind.

  9. @John Macdonald RE: January 19, 2013 at 10:05 am POST

    OMG Cory. The laws restricting Jews in Nazi Germany are absolutely nothing like what’s happening to anglophones in Quebec.” That

  10. Holy Jumpin’ Cory! Let’s forget about unfair hiring practices, and cut to the chase. There’s a Nazi government ruling Quebec!
    Carry on.

  11. Author

    See Cory you had a gracious face saving exit on the Nazi thing and you’re being stubborn. What’s up with that dude?

  12. @ ed

    ED, what is Canadian about quebec?

    Does quebec appear to you the same as the othe nine provinces in terms of law, language, culture, political climate ?

    Unless you have been living on Mars for the last 50+ years, can you provide any good reasons , for canadians to want quebec in canada?

    quebec is in Canada in name ONLY now, with no commonality with Canada, so wouldn’t I want them out?

    Franophones who want to keep quebec in, just want the economic benefits that suckers like you and me pay for, they certainly are not in canada for the Canadian way of life, sir.

    What would be so bad if quebec left, the world would not end, and a better relationship with them may evolve, instead of this hypocritical marriage we are now saddled with ?

    respones would be appreciated ed?

    Believe me when I say there many peopele who would like to this to become a reality, it is not as far fetched as you may think sir

    Ed, this is not radical, or new, separation has been around since 1960. Its just now that the English, are fed up and sick of this, that they have developed an attitutde that if they want to go, then fine go . we are sick of paying your way, and having forced bilingualism shoved down out throats while quebec remains unilingual french.

  13. Author

    Peter there would be no Canada without Quebec. Whether you look at Quebec Voyageurs shooting it out with Americans in BC for the North West Company or the multitude of other factors.

    Quebec has to make some adult decisions soon though as the Harper government is gunning for them. It’s all about money and resources; not about language.

  14. @ admin

    I completely disagee. What do you base this on sir?

    Canada can not only be Canada, but survive very well.

    Please expand on “mature decisions” quebec HAS TO MAKE.

    The P.Q. not only has the upper hand, but makes decisions that is beneficial for them. As much as I disagree with their politics, they are an astute political party that has passed more legislation to enhance itself than Canada has on this issue.

    How exactly is the Harper government gunning for them?

    He has already backed down on bilingual judges, that’s in our future, he has not in any way shape or form gave any relief to the anglos of quebec, nor has he cut transfer payments to this welfare state province.

    As for money, and resorces, well having Canada not pay transfer payments and grants ot the tune of millions if, not billions a year, would be a good start . Not to mention the revenues saved for bilingualim in canada.

    A 10 year moriotoum on quebec seaparation would be good. I have heard that floated. During this 10 year period borders, currancy, international treaties etc. could be ironed out, and then quebec goes.

    I believe Canada would survive fine without quebec

    it would not be the same ,I agree, however, I believe it would survive and eventually flourish, as would quebec.

    Please respond as I would be very interesed to hear your answers on what I wrote

  15. Firstly I’M with you on that one Cory. 100%

    100% Wow!! Hey, guess that puts me in league with a French person looking for work in Canada. 🙂 Sorry couldn’t resist…

    ON January 18, 2013 at 5:14 pm Ed wrote, “@ Spera. Unfortunately for you and your group, the bilingualism issue isn’t a big deal to the vast majority of Canadians.”

    Yes Ed, you ”MAY” be right to some degree. But, you left out those people who live in places like Vancouver and Calgary and have either applied for government jobs in these English enclaves and were turned down because they were not – bilingual? – WHAT??
    Or they decided not to apply at all because bilingualism was included as a stupid “requirement” for a position in their own federal government within an area where such a “necessity” is at the very least viewed as just ANOTHER area where the French and Quebec “get’s their way” over every and all other provinces who are supposed to equal status in this country made up of provinces.

    @John Macdonald RE: January 19, 2013 at 10:05 am POST

    John wrote, “OMG Cory. The laws restricting Jews in Nazi Germany are absolutely nothing like what’s happening to Anglophones in Quebec.”

    The mere fact that you can use the phrase “compared to what is happening to the Anglophones in Quebec” in the instance you used it in above saying WITHOUT a doubt that there is a way to compare these two events. .

    I (and many others — especially those who LIVE UNDER THESE restrictive laws which restrict their every move diminish there every abilities and control their means to both life and liberty — strongly disagree with you.

    Further more, the actual “means to the end, or rather — the ultimate GOAL of the French to — wipe out the English language and the English culture” in Quebec and now progressing outwards is the main reason why the comparison (directed to you also admin) should not fall under the so called “Godwin’s rule.” For, unlike the more abstract and lame reasons that people used the Nazi comparison which prompted why this rule came into being, the comparison this case IS ACTUALLY a very close comparison sans the violence part. And though blood shed would render the comparison EVEN more credible the sheer fact remains that ethnic cleansing is taking place and thus can be used as a comparison in this case.

    Besides, who the hell is this Godwin character anyways? To my knowledge no one here signed up to follow HIS RULE. Especially since, in this case, as i pointed out, it DOES NOT fit the scenario to begin with.

    Let’s face it, the ultimate goal of both these groups is annihilation of a group of peoples. The only difference is one is did it through violent means and the other had “people in high places working on the inside.”

    The ultimate goal is what is comparable here and it is pretty evident that these TWO things are intrinsically comparable if based solely on THAT.

    I grant that the degree of violence is QUITE different but that DOES NOT change the determination to achieve the important factor WHICH IS — “the objective” — and what said group will do to diminish the value and worth of the other group.

    One last thing. When this kind of thing comes from one’s own the government (in this case the Quebec Government) it automatically gives license to the common people to take the lead from the government which actually does end up with sporadic violent actions —

    (we have all heard about examples like the MTO lady who believed that just because someone doesn’t speak her language she could punch her and attack her physically)

    — against the group that is being “cleansed.” Hence the same mindset of the army ‘when they use certain terms to diminish the worth of those “people” fighting on the opposing side. It all falls into the same basket.

  16. @ Peter. If your cause is to kick Quebec out of Canada, have fun with that. Those of us who disagree with you feel pretty safe as long as you keep posting your BS. I think even Cory might eventually figure that out.

  17. Sorry for the confusion as — this previous post

    “edudyorlik
    January 19, 2013 at 6:11 pm”

    was supposed to be the beginning of the actual one i ended up posting here — Edudyorlik January 19, 2013 at 8:33 pm” RE: this “Godwin rule topic” but i hit, “Post Comment” by mistake and had to go out so couldn’t fix things and add the next post till later (now).

  18. on January 19, 2013 at 7:56 pm admin wrote, “Peter there would be no Canada without Quebec.”

    These types of arguments are actually ones that cause all types of retorts that muddy the flow because one could then say, there would be no Quebec at all period had the British decided to do what was in fashion back in those days when it came to the victors of most battles back then. I KNOW you know this but the general idea is that they would kill all the commoners then send the admirals or generals back to their countries of origin. If the commoners were too numerous and a slaughter was not called for they would simply force them to adapt the language and culture of the victors and within a generation that was that.

    then the next person would say, “yes but, if it was raining that day then the hill would have been slippy..” etc etc etc.. it’s a never ending crap shoot.
    So yes, the argument CAN BE MADE that “there would be no Canada without Quebec ” BUT the argument can also be made that there also would be no Quebec had the British decided to not worry about the possibility of the Americans attempting to move in, and just killed off all the Quebecors. We really DON’T know for sure if the Americans would have tried or not. AND, we will never know now.

  19. “See Cory you had a gracious face saving exit on the Nazi thing and you’re being stubborn. What’s up with that dude?”

    I hope that Quebec doesn’t become any more fascist in their so-called approach to (‘saving’) or rather extending the French language. Jamie, you lived in Quebec for a time. What say you to the Francophone treatment of Anglophones there? What about state-sanctioned fascist laws that hammer down on the practioners of the English language?

    Language police? Are they the modern day equivalent of the ‘Brown’ shirts?

    I challenge anyone to find any maltreatment stories of Francophones outside of the Province of Quebec. I’m not refering to the inability either of gold-digging ethnocentrists seeking huge cash settlements from Air Canada and the like! Now, I challenge anyone to find stories of abuse, neglect and maltreatment to Anglophones inside the Province of Quebec.

    This is going to get worse in that province. I hope that I’m wrong in regards to this and pray that others are right.

  20. “Quebec has to make some adult decisions soon though as the Harper government is gunning for them. It’s all about money and resources; not about language”

    Then how is it Admin. that with regards to the issue of Language, an entire bureaucracy has been built around this issue both within and without the borders of the Province of Quebec?

  21. Ed, you should be happy we post BS and supposedly turn people off our cause. Somehow, you sound afraid. Afraid of the TRUTH. Afraid that people learn the truth and demand change…change that will end your tribe’s privilege.

  22. Author

    Cory people have allowed it. Voters, other parties, the media. It happens all the time, all over for a multitude of issues.

  23. Author

    Cory I was born at the Royal Victoria in Montreal and grew up for most of my youth there and some of my adult life. At a certain point you give up on a place because it’s hopeless.

    90% of the time life is wonderful in Montreal. There are great opportunities and people. But then that language BS creeps in. Quebec is what it is. People choose to live in it or not.

    When I hooked up with my ex wife she was moving over from BC and Eastern Ontario was her sales territory. She wanted us to move to Brockville and I chose Cornwall because it was close to Montreal and had a French feel without the language politics…so I thought.

    This is Ontario though. This is Canada. I cannot believe that people are allowing Quebec style silliness to creep over the border. Yes the pendulum swing; but there’s nothing wrong with a healthy push back.

  24. Thanks Jamie for your background info.

    I once remember a university professor telling the classroom that as students of history; we were as it were, privileged to sit on the sidelines and analyze things tens, hundreds or perhaps even thousands of years later on any given issue – having available to us countless stories and the fact that things had already played out and that we could judge circumstances that had taken place already from all sides and not to be involved.

    In essence he was teaching us that we had the fortune not to be in the middle of issues of the day and that we probably would have not faired any better had we been participants of something. This was a response to students asking things such as: “Well, why didn’t this group to this or that.” Hindsight is only available to those who analyze something after the events have played out. Or, hindsight is available by looking at similar past actions and guessing upon their perceived outcomes.

    Quebec’s final chapter on human rights and language issues have not played out. Before the curtain closes on such said issues, I wonder how many more people will have to move out or take it upon themselves to continually leave their regions of residence due to this language issue.

    But I think before language is tackled we as Canadians need to start asking ourselves some hard questions. We need to take off the rose-coloured spectacles and realize that what worked for us twenty thirty or even fifty years ago can no longer work for us now. We need to re-evaluate the principles of our outdated British parliamentary system and consider some more republican-like changes. Also, if Quebec is to stay within Confederation, it needs to scrap it’s language program and begin to treat it’s minority citizenry as unequivocal equals and not second class citizens. Immediately too, Eastern Ontario needs to address this dangerous shift towards Quebec-style draconian fundamentals.

    How many more hundreds, thousands or hundreds of thousands of Canadians need to keep being negatively impacted by this stuff before something is done?

    We have warned politicians that they will begin to see fringe elements within both sides of this equation if the issues are not dealt with in a fair and consistent manner. This is why we see Nationalistic FLQ types and alienated Bain personalities creeping up.
    These types of responses are bound to take place and are systematic commonalities of a people whom are tired and fed up with both a provincial and federal government that are not listening to the wishes and needs of a people who feel that language should under no way/shape/form be legislated.

    Our Southern neighbours don’t have this problem because they simply don’t legislate language. Their laissez faire system seems to work fine for them; why wouldn’t it work for us?

  25. Author

    Here’s a gift just for you Cory. When I had surgery at the Royal Vic, an allegedly English/Bilingual hospital back in 2003 I had a food attendant not be able or refuse to speak English. I like to think she simply couldn’t. Why she would have that job at this hospital I do not know. She was giving me the wrong food and I could have died or been seriously ill if I ate what she was trying to give me.

    Being foggy after surgery is not a time that anyone should have to think and translate.

  26. Thanks for the story, Jamie. I wonder whatever happened to the medical alert bracelets? They seemed to be popular a few decades ago and can list things like allergies, medical conditions and the like.

  27. ON January 20, 2013 at 6:37 am admin wrote,
    “I was born at the Royal Victoria in Montreal and grew up for most of my youth there and some of my adult life. At a certain point you give up on a place because it’s hopeless.”

    Granted, Quebec is a “special case” where by most Canadians (i believe) did simply “give up on the place” and moved on. But, the thing is, WE CAN NO LONGER just “give up on the place” when it comes to everywhere else outside of Quebec and move on because eventually there WILL BE “NO PLACE” left to move on to. There is a slow and gradual take over of this country and WE MUST STAND up and STOP this mentality where by we just “give up on the place” or we may as well just simply give up on Canada.

    The people out west want to separate from us because we seem to be coddling Quebec. THE REAL fact is we should be telling the people out west that we WANT THEM and appreciate them and all we have to do is get rid of Quebec in order for ALL Canadians to come together east and west. The REAL PROBLEM is Quebec. And always has been.

    Further more, stories like this that you shared with us admin, —

    admin wrote, “back in 2003 I had a food attendant not be able or refuse to speak English. I like to think she simply couldn’t. Why she would have that job at this hospital I do not know. She was giving me the wrong food and I could have died or been seriously ill if I ate what she was trying to give me.”

    — are many. I have many of my own stories like this and i KNOW there are many Canadians that do also.

    This kind of malice goes well beyond a NORMAL state of just wanting to preserve ones culture and language. These people are brainwashed and prepared to take innocent lives at the drop of a hat within this warped quest of theirs. If you ask me ( i know you didn’t BUT many Canadians — ARE — asking aloud)

    — HOW ON EARTH CAN WE the people as well as OUR GOVERNMENT continue to allow these types of atrocities to happen with such fever and spite?
    – THIS MUST be addressed… It’s COMPLETELY OUT OF HAND.

  28. Author

    Kilroy there was no malice with my hospital experience. She wasn’t mean. She just couldn’t speak English in what’s known as an English Hospital. At this point the culture of language in Quebec will most likely not ever change…

  29. Being spoken to in French is an atrocity?

  30. Author

    Who suggested it was an atrocity Ed?

  31. That’s what I got from edudyorlik’s comment re your hospital experience.

    “This kind of malice goes well beyond a NORMAL state of just wanting to preserve ones culture and language. These people are brainwashed and prepared to take innocent lives at the drop of a hat within this warped quest of theirs. If you ask me ( i know you didn’t BUT many Canadians — ARE — asking aloud)
    – HOW ON EARTH CAN WE the people as well as OUR GOVERNMENT continue to allow these types of atrocities to happen with such fever and spite?”
    – THIS MUST be addressed… It’s COMPLETELY OUT OF HAND.”

  32. ONE MORE THING RE: This story of yours admin.

    admin wrote, “back in 2003 I had a food attendant not be able or refuse to speak English. I like to think she simply couldn’t. Why she would have that job at this hospital I do not know. She was giving me the wrong food and I could have died or been seriously ill if I ate what she was trying to give me.”

    Because of the forced bilingual hiring practices and thus the fact that MOST nurses and hospital staff are of FRENCH origin. A version of this kind of thing is now happening in most Ontario hospitals as well. Oddly enough we end up putting up with a similar type of reverse Anti English sentiment right without OUR system as well as seeing it in the Quebec system.

    — The enemy within —

    Sure, it may be slightly different in the sense that, here they are speaking a broken English but, if you were say, known as someone who feels a certain way about Quebec and believes Quebec is acting in an unfair way or whatever (you know what i’m saying) you would stand a good chance to be treated differently. A little rougher with this needle perhaps, or a little longer wait for your food and maybe a little less general attention etc etc etc…
    This reality can likely be expanded to police —
    (ie: the French born officer who see’s a Quebec plate in his workplace of Ontario and treats them different)
    — and other areas as well.

  33. @ admin, Oh, pardon me admin, i got the distinct impression from your own words,

    “I had a food attendant not be able or refuse to speak English. I like to think she simply couldn’t.”

    that this was something you WERE NOT SURE ABOUT and had the feeling (as MANY of us do in this type of circumstance) where by we “all would — like to think — that the person just simply couldn’t speak the language but deep down on some level we know better”

    Considering this is indeed — a fundamental issue dealing with health care — and also considering this is — in CANADA — I truly believe that ALL ENGLISH Canadians (considering the common language OF THE COUNTRY — of which Quebec is still just a “province” within said COUNTRY) IS ENGLISH ( last i checked anyways) SHOULD expect to be able to be understood in English.

  34. Author

    Kilroy I think what many forget is no matter what or how you change laws in Quebec that damage has been done. There have now been at least two generations of people that have grown up in this mess.

    For someone who wants to live their lives predominantly in English Quebec isn’t the place to be. One of my personal gifts has never been language. Some of my friends have joked that I have enough problems with English, never mind French.

    When I worked in Sports I’d kill myself speaking in French to my clients and they’d laugh at me and offer me money to switch to English. Quebec people are for the most part a lot of fun; but there’s always that difference and then there’s always that paramedic. In Quebec that paramedic is never fired; those that are extremists are tolerated and finally for me I’d never want to live there again.

    While I may not stay in Cornwall the rest of my life I doubt I’d ever return to Montreal. It’s sad because growing up in the 70’s in Montreal it was one of the hottest places to be in the world. Where the Rolling Stones, or the Police would sneak off to party and record. Where a lot of cool and exciting things were created.

    Politics sucked a lot of soul out of that fine city sadly.

  35. @Ed RE January 20, 2013 at 1:23 pm POST-

    Wake up pal. We are IN CANADA. The “province” of Quebec.

    — Did ya get that “province” NOT COUNTRY —

    “Province” of Quebec — is JUST a province in this country Canada and though we have let them have their way because they are whiners they SHOULD STILL be expected to understand and comply with the FACT that the common language in this country ALL OF CANADA is English. If they want French so badly then fine let them eat it for lunch, but English should still be understood to be the common language of this country

    IF NOT then please by all means take the next step and let Quebec become their own country. We all would be much happier and in the case of the ROC much wealthier as well.

    good riddence.. Au revoir. Buuuuuhhh byeee…

    funny how they adopt everything else regarding being a separate nation but they keep the money flowing from Canadians eh… What a freekin bunch they are…

  36. Author

    Kilroy there would definately be a price Canada would have to pay if Quebec separated? I think a stronger Federal government and Quebec making a clear decision to stay in Canada could lead to a unified strong Canada which should be all Canadians goal.

    We aren’t at that stage yet, but we should be working towards a decision.

  37. @admin RE January 20, 2013 at 1:45 pm POST
    admin wrote, “Kilroy I think what many forget is no matter what or how you change laws in Quebec that damage has been done. There have now been at least two generations of people that have grown up in this mess.
    For someone who wants to live their lives predominantly in English Quebec isn’t the place to be.”

    I can accept that admin and i believe most Canadians can accept that. And i DO (having half French blood running through my veins) VERY MUCH understand what you mean when you say things like, “Quebec people are for the most part a lot of fun; but there’s always that difference” as i feel both sides of my heritage pulling at me ALL THE TIME. my french — stand up and fight for your rights and get int he face of ANYONE who goes against them — plus my English, — oh just relax and let things be. It’ll all work itself out in the end — sort of side. I Enjoy the French culture, i love the French cuisine (i still cook Ragu at Xmas), heck i even like the French language BUT…

    It truly is time for Canada and Anglophone Canadians especially to WAKE UP and realize that this arrangement IS NOT working out. We are being taken advantage of and (as the French are so good at doing) they are laughing right in our collective faces.

    The idea that we, the majority, are literally paying the French to take us over is TO ME completely insane.
    – Quebec MUST GO.. and NOW.
    Canada can no longer allow ONE PROVINCE to have it’s way the way Quebec does while the other provinces look on and wonder, what the f^%$K is this?
    Watch this (everyone)

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HA0-psDcdnk

    and see that Mr. Williams IS putting it all out there. He is telling ALL OF US that Quebec is F&*^%ng us and we should do something about it. And in his own words, “I am not suggestion it, I AM SAYING IT.” He is also saying not to depend on the government because it is infiltrated with “THEM.” WE MUST get together and fight back as a united majority NOW or we will loose this whole country.

    It is simply NOT FAIR, NOT RIGHT, NOT JUST, and MUST STOP.

  38. On January 20, 2013 at 1:58 pm admin wrote, “Kilroy there would definitely be a price Canada would have to pay if Quebec separated.”
    Interesting that in your post you inadvertently put a question mark at the end of that statement (Freudian slip perhaps 🙂 )

    Fact is admin, the price of staying together (the lose of Canada as an — anglophone nation — is a much higher price than anything that could happen if we rid ourselves of that cancer. AND, i would hope that other provinces, knowing that these unfair practices and all the money that gets sent to Quebec could then be diverted to all would help them feel much more a part of this country as a result which would bring the country closer together.

    let;’s be real. They are distinct and different and thus. Let’s just peacefully end the marriage and this whole charade.

  39. Author

    kilroy that can be said of many things from the Tar Sands, to Quebec, to our flawed social nets and healthcare.

    Where do you want to start? 🙂

  40. @ edudyorlik. Hey Pal, just because I’m not foaming at the mouth with rage, doesn’t mean I’m not awake. And just because you and a few radical nut-bars want to break up Canada, it ain’t gonna happen.
    The more you post, the more damage you do to the “fair language” cause.

  41. “Quebec making a clear decision to stay in Canada”..eh? At what price, admin? Giving the exorbitant price English Canada pays Quebec to stay in, it is not worth it. Let’s divorce amicably. It is possible now because BOTH sides desire it.

  42. Author

    Tim I believe that Quebecers do not want to leave Canada. I also believe Canadians don’t want Quebec to go. Quebecers have to stand up to the Separatists and say enough.

    And I think they will one day, but in the meanwhile there’s nothing wrong with Canadians stating what they want once they figure out exactly what that is.

  43. ALSO: admin wrote, “For someone who wants to live their lives predominantly in English Quebec isn’t the place to be.”

    True and NOW, many places in Vanier (the latest so called “French Quarter”) as well as eastern Ontario. they can fit nicely into what you have said here. At what point does it end? When do we say enough. When do we realize that Quebec DOES NOT want bilingualism THEY WANT FRENCH ONLY and they want this ALL OVER CANADA. They are using age old sly tactics and we are just happily smiling along and saying oui oui you can put up a flag there to symbolize your own culture and language and while your at it put one up there, and there, and maybe over there too.
    This is COMPLETELY insane.
    As a person who is half French i see — THAT — side of things and it’ so very frustrating. I — KNOW — what they are doing and the sneakiness of how and what they are doing. And to see the Anglophones (and Trudeau read this in the anglophones and thus why he KNEW his plan would ultimately work) with their complacent easy going and apathetic nature just humming along it makes me nuts.
    When i was immersed in the child custody issue years ago i came to realize that if mens groups were headed up by and run by a woman they would be 100% more effective. And NOW, i see that if Anglophone rights groups were headed up by and run by a a Francophone they also would be 100% more effective. So, there ya have it.

    We NEED to find a way to wake up the anglophone people of this country to realize that if we DO NOTHING then we can simply inject your statement right here,

    “For someone who wants to live their lives predominantly in English Quebec isn’t the place to be.”
    and just change the “Quebec isn’t the place to be”

    to

    “Canada isn’t the place to be.”
    PLEASE EVERYONE tell someone, talk to your neighbors and help them understand how important it is to take part to be involved and to stand up for their country because NOW IS THE TIME.

  44. Hey eddy baby, the idea of “breaking up Canada” i got directly from your ilk. Remember you were the ones who wanted nothing to do with Canada and i was one of those out there pleading for them to stay. BUT NO MORE. That’s a done deal now. We don’t need Quebec and their hating ways and we don’t want to continue to pay for them.

  45. Admin, I believe you are just being politically correct as all media are, but thank you for giving us a voice. I believe differently. The times have changed and today Canadians want Quebec go. (I don’t care what Quebec wants and what Ed wants).

  46. Author

    lol, me politically correct – I think you just made some people spew if they were drinking!

  47. @ admin

    I would like your take on the questions I posed to you yesterday at 8;24P.M.

    it seems to me, that I am not the only one who believes that quebec and Canada would be better off if they separated.

    Jamie, I believe you are living in an extremely naive world if you think quebec is indeed going to stay in Canada

    One way or another they are going. I totally agree with Dany Williams’ take on Ottawa and how the federal quebec ministers have hijackd this government

    When a provinvial Prime Minister, , particularly one that has the crediabliity of Dany Williams makes those statements, it says an awful lot. He is IN THE KNOW

    I too lived in montreal fo ra long,long time, sir. I alSO return on business often. yES IT IS A GREAT, GREAT CITY, to visit, but if you are English, it is not so great, is it ?

    it is not the same place as it was even 10 years ago. With each passing day, they ae getting further away from canada.

    When you say the damage has already been done, I say it is ONLY starting , there is a lot more to come, if we ALLOW it.

    Jamie, be reasonable here, does it make sense that Canadians, the majority of whom are English, pay billions and billions of dollars to a province that , as you say have laws that are anti-Canadian to the point of being offensive.

    Would you do something similar in your personal life, if the analogy could be made ?

    I ‘ll share MY HOUSE with you, pay 70% of the bills, but you control the rules of the house, etc.

    Jamie, they are on their way out.

    If canadian politicans, should have the guts that Dany Williams has. I truly hope Canadians wake up and get quebec out.

    Please, I’d really like to hear your take on my post yesterday

  48. edudyorlik is loosing it. I’m an Anglo who can barely speak any French.
    And what’s with the “Eddy baby”? Are you Leo?
    @ Tim. Apart from a few rednecks in rural Alberta and BC, and maybe you, who exactly wants wants to boot Quebec out of Canada? Got any numbers?

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