When I wrote this article I had no idea what would ensue. I woke up on Canada Day morning, furious at the discrimination I found waiting around every corner. So, I picked up my laptop, made myself an enormous coffee, and sat on my patio and decided to get it all off my chest. I had no idea the impact it would have on you; the reader. I had no idea what I was even going to do with the article. But the longer I sat there, the more feverishly I began to type about how I had had enough. I had no idea the out-pour of support would be so great, and I had no idea you would all stand behind me so proudly. My Maple-Leafed heart is about to burst with joy at how many of you have thanked me and *high-fived* me and stood by me...and even a few of you suggesting I run for office! (Wow, if you think I've made some people mad now, imagine!) I just wanted to take this moment to thank YOU; the reader, the fellow writer, the random stranger, the new friends, The Montreal Gazette for giving me a voice, my friends for their amazing support, my awesome parents; who always told me my big mouth would get me into a lot of trouble if I chose to speak my mind...but that it would be worth it...they were right. My amazing sister, who helped me set up this blog. my wonderful boyfriend, who stands by me as I complain about my rights to anyone who tries to silence them. Everybody. Thank you. There is power in numbers, my friends, and this is only the beginning, and I, for one, am proud to have you along for the ride.
Also, check out these awesome Maple-Fighters: www.putbacktheflag.com they need your support! Like them on Facebook, I did!
I too am a proud Canadian and Quebecer and am left shaking my head at some of the shenanigans that the PQ gets up to. I understand that they worry about the French language and culture here in the midst of an English country and continent but there is a difference between protecting your language and suffocating others. They just go too far....
ReplyDeleteI just read your article online and want to thank you for putting in writing what so many of us are thinking.
I appreciate what you have written, and I think you have a lot of courage. I stand by what you've said, and we need more people like you. Bravo!
ReplyDeleteRobert Hennessy
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteI understand the message behind this opinion piece, but I would have to disagree with a few key points. First off the referendums had alot more behind them than simply french vs english. For one when the Constitution Act was signed in 1982, it was done so after months of talks in a meeting that Quebec representatives were purposefully not made aware of, which for all intensive purposes was stabbing Quebecers in the back. To this day Quebec has still not signed the Canadian constitution. Later further accords were attempted (ie Charlottetown accord and Lake Meech accord) in order to, amongst other things, have Quebec endorse the 1982 Constitution however these attempts failed. In the latter case, the agreement fell apart not because of Quebecois demands, but because of First Nations protests in Manitoba and lack of representative support in New Brunswick. These issues played a great part in Quebecers anger and desire for the referendum. You also have to understand economic dynamics of english vs french in the 30-60s. The english were the business owners, the rich, while the french were the working class. Of course this is a generalization, but this dynamic did create a rift.
ReplyDeleteAs for discrimination towards the english, I will have to say I believe it happens, but I believe discrimination towards the french happens as well. You speak of a country, Canada, that should support all of it's constituents equally. I also speak french and english fluently and without accents in either one, and grew up on the south shore of Montreal in Boucherville. I also attended university in Ontario (U of Waterloo to be exact). Where do you think I was met with more hostility and disrespect, in quebec when I speak english or in Ontario when I speak french? If we are one country and quebec is the problem, the lack of acceptance of english speakers is the problem, why is it that when I travel through my beautiful country that is Canada, in 90% of it not only can I not be served in my native tongue (french), but I am also met with this exact same disrespect you speak of?
This issue should not be compared to that of african american rights of women's right to vote as it is not a human rights issue but rather a question of national pride and coming together. We are one of the world's top destination for immigrants.This might be surprising but 20% of Canadian's today are immigrants and we have come to accept them as part of our culture. If we can accept new people into our nation, why cannot we not accept ourselves? It is time french and english accept the differences between us, and even more importantly take pride in each other's differences as they make up what is the best country in the world.