If Quebec became an independent nation there is no question the need to drive the Anglos out of the province would be lessened considerably. In fact it can be argued that once Quebec achieves total control over its own nation, Anglos will be much more welcome. That’s presuming of course that good will and some common sense survive. Not much of that these days, sadly in Quebec.
Andre Cadotte, Montreal, QC
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Lowell, Quebec is already gone. Quebec has its own civil code, has not signed onto the Constitution, or the Canada Health Act. It controls its own immigration as well as representing itself on many entities of the UN such as UNESCO. The only difference is that it doesn’t have an anthem and has someone else paying the bills.
On the financial side nothing will change. Transfer payments will be renamed foreign aid and bilingualism policy won’t change because the Franco-Ontarians will form the new beachhead for French culture preservation. All government departments whether federal, provincial or municipal will still promote bilingualism. So what is new to care or not care about? I do find it bizarre however that Canada would cede all of the Quebec territory to that new nation, which would be contrary to the Ungava Treaty.
John K, Ottawa, ON
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My feeling Lowell is that I really don’t care anymore. They can keep their culture and language but official bilingualism in the rest of Canada must be scrapped as it is ruining our country. You say that those in a separated Quebec could still have dual citizenship and a Canadian passport. Does this mean that these individuals could still come into the rest of Canada, work for the federal government, and take jobs away from the rest of Canadians like they do now in our hospitals, building trades, etc. just because they are bilingual? And with dual citizenship would they be allowed to run for Parliament and even become Prime Minister of Canada? That would be going too far in my opinion.
Deacon Moran McMahon, Orleans, ON
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We’re talking about the potential breakup of the best country in the world. How could anybody in his or her right mind not care? Shame on those who don’t care!
Jim H. sent from an iPhone
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Lowell, whatever happens, this time all Canadians must be given the opportunity to have a say. On two occasions in the past it has been Quebec and Quebec alone that was allowed to determine the fate of the entire country. No more. The next time we all get a say—we all get a vote. No more tail wagging the dog!
Ann Gravelle, Gatineau, QC
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Often it seems like Quebec is the tail wagging the dog. I live in Ontario and one does get fed up with what goes on in Quebec and their demands to the rest of Canada. I don’t like how they treat the Anglophones either. There seems to be this double standard.
From their standpoint they may be sadly surprised if they ever do get their independence. They will probably have even less say in trade with Canada and the U. S. There is one common analogy about Canada in bed with the elephant next door. (The U.S.) We know how that often works out! You make the analogy about an amicable divorce, but Quebec may end up pining for the old girlfriend they gave up!
George C, Ottawa, ON
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I’m all for a divorce just so long as Quebec doesn’t get the gold mine and Canada gets the shaft!
Lindsay M, Carp, ON
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No, I do not want Quebec to leave UNLESS it means that the Official Languages Act is dropped across Canada.
In Eastern Ontario, “Cultural Inventories”, Linguistic Roadmaps” and “Bilingual Sign” bylaws are all indicators that the Quebec separatists have taken over Eastern Ontario.
Quebec license plates in so many institutions are also indications that even if Quebec separated, if they are allowed to continue to work in Ontario, what progress will have been made? Our English speaking young people are fleeing to work in the West while Quebec youth take Ontario jobs and tax dollars back to Quebec.
French only health clinics, French only community centers, French only hospitals, French only senior living centers. If you think that by Québec separating there will be peace, you are wrong.
Yesterday, Canadians for Language Fairness had our 2nd Annual St. Patrick’s Day Brunch (A sellout, 120 people) and the resentment, anger and frustration was incredible in particular the following complaints:
Jobs being based on language not skills.
Families being broken up because young adults are being forced to find jobs out West or in the USA.
Legal challenges being heard by “activist” judges (Judge Monique Metivier).
French immersion that has failed our children.
Language Commissioner Graham Fraser refusing to meet with a Canada-wide organization that represents victims of forced bilingualism.
As of January 1, 2013, every municipality in Ontario must provide bilingual services no matter how few unilingual Francophones are in their communities.
So much for freedom of speech. The unrestricted use of the English language is now against the law in Eastern Ontario municipalities.
The question should not be whether Quebec separates. The question should be whether forced bilingualism and language laws are an attack on our inalienable right to freedom of speech!
Beth Trudeau, Spokesperson, Canadians for Language Fairness, Embrun, ON
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It isn’t just on my program that similar sentiments are being expressed. The following letter to the editor appeared in the National Post on June 5, 2013. It was written in response to an earlier comment by Dan Delmar that the only people upset with the situation in Quebec today are what Delmar called Angryphones.
The following is the reply by Richard D. Field of Toronto:
“It is unfortunate that Dan Delmar cannot comprehend that nearly one million English-speaking Canadians have left Quebec since the French-first language laws came on the scene. The trick word “Angryphone” is just that, a comedic response by the Anglo appeasers that stayed and did not fight for their rights against the Franco chest-thumpers that delighted in rubbing their Anglo fellow citizens’ noses in the dirt of Quebec’s myopic provincialism.
Howard Galganov’s life was threatened and his property destroyed by the cowardly Quebecois linguistic fanatics. He moved to Ontario to continue his fight. He fought for 14 years in Quebec and had damn little support from the Anglo community. He is a courageous Canadian.
Why doesn’t the National Post write an article, exploring why Anglophones cannot hold senior positions in the federal civil service or Crown corporations, or rise above the rank of major in the military if they cannot speak French patois (as judged by a French-patois hiring panel.) Having a French last name even helps.
English only speakers are now a disenfranchised sub-class of Canadian citizenry.
This is one sick country!
Richard D. Field, Toronto, ON
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And then there was this dandy little tirade that appeared in the letters to the editor section of the National Post, June 5, 2013. It was written in response to Radio Canada’s decision (since rescinded) to become simply “ICI”.
Heritage Minister James Moore warns that Canadians won’t tolerate any move away from a pan-Canadian identity. While this may be the government’s position, it is unlikely that Canadians feel this way.
Most Canadians wish Quebec would