This morning reading the BOURQUE WEBSITE, I was gobsmacked by an article that claimed that Pierre-Karl Péladeau was now interested in investing in a new Quebec City hockey arena and naming it after Premier René Lévesque.
Yup.....A hockey arena in Quebec City named after the late separatist Premier!
"Insider rumours swirling that Quebecor supremo PK Peladeau may be demanding of government in Ottawa and Quebec City that the new NHL arena be named the 'Forum Rene Levesque' in honour of the patron saint of the Parti Quebecois, a tip of the hat to PK's father and Quebecor founder Pierre Peladeau, a giant of the so-called 'Quebec, Inc.' of years past, a repository of then (and still) powerful Quebec-based industrialists and entrepreneurs."LINKAfter reading the story, the spike in my blood pressure relaxed as I realized that Mr. Péladeau was once again pulling the chain of a supportive nationalist Quebec media and utterly naive public.
As I told you before, he is a champion manipulator who morphs conveniently between a federalist and separatist persona, belying the fact that he is in reality, just an old-fashioned money-grubber.
Months ago I watched this consummate salesman dazzle TV audiences with his spiel that what's good for Quebecor (his company) is good for Quebec. His pitch that his new wireless telephone service, soon to be launched, would be in Quebec's own best interest, was made with the skill of an old-time snake-oil salesmen that would make Vince the Sham Wow guy, green with envy.
When Péladeau went to Ottawa to secure the bandwidth he required for the service, he was the perfect federalist and when he returned back at Quebec, to sell the service to consumers, he pitched the nationalist cause, telling a fawning TV interviewer that the coming together of certain elements plus timing made for 'winning conditions" Then he promised that he'd help fund starving Quebec artists, (this in the wake of Harper cutting off funds last election).... Verrrry clever!
And so, Péladeau hopes, that every separatist will consider it a sacred duty to buy into his plan (everyone except maybe those on strike at the Journal de Montreal.)
Yes, Pierre-Karl Péladeau is an operator, a man fashioned out of the stuff that Donald Trump is made of, hot air, bullshit and bravado.
First let me shoot down any idea that the arena will be named after the late separatist Premier. It ain't gonna happen...
The naming rights for a NHL arena are worth between two and three million dollars a year and I'm sure Mr. Péladeau wouldn't forgo the income or the advertising value of naming the building after, say Videotron.
Secondly, the NHL governors would sell their first born before allowing a team to play in a building named for a separatist.
Now many francophones believe that the NHL is more interested in money than politics, but they are wrong. The separatist misconception that Anglophones are only interested in money and have no pride is patented stupid, a myth that is popular in the unilingual separatists circles that also holds that English Canadians have no culture.
Those who believe that money is the only motivating factor should ask Mr. Basille whether the NHL has backbone or not, as they summarily threw out his effort to move the Phoneix Coyotes without their permission, despite it being a fantastic financial deal for the league.
I don't think separatists understand the level of dislike Canadians and their American cousins have for separatists. In Quebec we accept as normal having a René Levesque boulevard in the same city as Pierre-Elliot Trudeau airport, but try opening the Benidict Arnold arena in the States and watch the fireworks.
If separatists believe that the NHL owners would allow such an insult, they are dead wrong. The NHL is the epitome of English establishment. It is the NHL, not the LNH and there's as much chance of them accepting the René Lévesque arena as there is for them accepting the Saddam Hussein arena.
I'm not saying this to be mean, but it's true. Present a plan to the NHL expansion committee that has a Quebec team playing in the René Levesque arena and kiss the Nordiques bye-bye.
So what is Péladeau's motivation other then to just shit-disturb? Well perhaps he was attempting to put the fear of God into Ottawa, warning them that if they didn't cough up he'd embarrass them with the separatist name. If so, he has badly overplayed his hand.
As I told you before, as well as he hides it, Péladeau is DESPERATE to secure the Nordiques for his media empire.
This is why he has made an about face and is now prepared to pay part of the cost of the building. When Harper shot down the idea of Ottawa helping foot the bill, it was time to go to Plan B.
"Quebecor CEO Pierre Karl Peladeau made an about-face in Ottawa Tuesday,
saying he could participate in the financing of an amphitheatre in
Quebec City ...
When asked to chip in, however, Peladeau said in mid-September that the private sector was "doing more than its share." Link
Read : Péladeau, pas un sou pour l'amphithéâtre(fr) where he stated he wasn't gonna pay a dime for the arena under any circumstances!
I may be the only who has gone on record as saying that Péladeau is desperate. But a simple analysis shows that if he isn't desperate, he should be.
The scope of that desperation must be profound, the Nordiques are that important to his media empire.
Selling cable services, wireless telephone and Internet services have become a question of convergence and any company that can't provide all three services is at a distinct disadvantage to a competitor that can offer a package deal.
And so selling a wireless service is largely dependent on bundling it with cable TV or satellite TV and Internet.
BELL remains Videotron's chief competitor and should BELL get its hands on the Nordiques, Péladeau's whole media empire could crumble.
Right now Bell owns RDS, the sports channel that holds the broadcast rights to the Montreal Canadiens. TSN is offered on BELL TV (satellite) and ALSO on Péladeau's Videotron, which is cable based.
But BELL is building a competing cable network called FIBE. In a couple of years it will go head on against Videotron cable.
What would happen if BELL pulled RDS (The Canadiens) from Videotron?
It would be a massacre, with every hockey fan and his/her family switching to BELL, taking with them their wireless and internet business.
That is why the Nordiques are key. If Péladeau secures the broadcast rights, Bell and Videotron would be at a impasse and the status quo would reign with both services likely providing broadcast of both Quebec teams.
If Bell somehow gets the Nordiques broadcast rights, its lights out for Videotron. Kaput....
That's what's at risk. Nobody except the stakeholders realize it.
The government is in the driver's seat and doesn't even know it.
By backing an independent bid to buy the team, by say, LOTO- QUEBEC, both Bell and Videotron would be forced into a vicious bidding war that would spiral beyond the intrinsic value of the broadcast rights. It would guarantee a profit for the NHL franchise, arena included!
Too bad nobody realizes it.
Perhaps the government could thank me for the plan and call the new building the NoDogsOrAnglophone Arena, its about as likely as the René Lévesque Arena.
As for Mr. Péladeau, perhaps he should name the arena after an old television show- FANTASY ISLAND.
For more on Pierre-Karl Péladeau;
The comparison of Benedict Arnold to Rene Levesque is absurd. Levesque did not take up arms against Canada. Also why are NHL owners supposed to be "insulted" by Levesque. Since this is mostly an American league, if you think you are going to get solidarity from American owners on what they see as a parochial issue, you have an inflated sense of much most Americans do not care about Canada or Quebec.
ReplyDeleteThe comparison to Saddam Hussein is also absurd. Americans did not fight a war with the Parti Quebecois-- nor even with the FLQ. This post shows an extreme amount of "wanting to be offended," and believing that Americans who run the league Canadians love most are going to join in this charade.
Now your comment on Peladeau being a snake oil salesman and possibility of wanting to sell naming rights is the real story here. As is his chameleon politics.
Too bad this post got ruined with delusions of grandeur that Americans like myself will be as offended as Alliance Quebec at the mere mention of Levesque's name. Your blog often gives harsh reality to Quebec Nationalists, well it is time for some in reverse. Anglo-Canadian solidarity with Americans flows south only, most down here are indifferent to Quebec's nationalist aspirations.
Honnestly.... I wish today's seperatists had as much sense as Levesque had, not to say I liked him, just that he wasn't as clinically insane as today's PQ leaders.
ReplyDeleteAnd I agree that Americans won't really care, but I doubt they'd buy into it either. They know how touchy a subject it is and they don't want any needless potential problems.
You know what awkward moment I'm waiting for? The fist time the new Nordiques team steps out onto the ice, lines up at the blue line, and the crowd having to sit through the Canadian national anthem. Will it be drowned out by boos? Will there be a neutral quiet reaction? Will there be applause? Will it be an applause vs boos battle to see which is louder?
Justin most americans are indifferent until they have a stake in the english community in Quebec. Ask all those american students, vietnam war draft dodgers(1960s 70s) and new immigrants to the Montreal area.
ReplyDeleteUsually if I see an american support the pur laine chauvanists, its usually americans with Quebecois roots. Which is just ethnic affinity without ethics.
@Justin
ReplyDeleteObviously you're not Justin Trudeau,we need more Americans like you.Thanks a lot for your post.
"Obviously you're not Justin Trudeau"
ReplyDeleteThat's hilarious. You should become a stand-up comic. What gave it away? When he said he's American? And by the way, we don't get offended when you insult our leaders, 'cause we aren't delusional and know they suck. We don't cry murder when someone criticizes our politicians. But hey if you choose blind faith over questioning your government and logic that's your choice. You know, Quebecois nationalism is like Islam in that way. Don't say anything bad about our leaders or we'll complain and threaten. Now before you jump on me like the good little brainwashed information-spinning nationalist you are, I will take this opportunity to say that I am NOT comparing Quebecois nationalism to Islam. They are just similar in that one thing, even if they are to different degrees.
"we need more Americans like you"
You need mor Americans that are indifferent to Quebec's nationalist agenda? More Americans that don't agree with your savior P-K Peladeau's methods? Did you really read his full post or stop when you saw he was done serving us Canadians some humble pie? (which I think we deserve somewhat)
And for a political view that criticizes selling out to Americans you seem to like to kiss their ass when they agree with you don't you? Hypocritical much?
Do you even think before you speak?
Justin, how on earth do you associate Saddam Hussein with Quebec? I think the Editor was writing metaphorically; furthermore, the arena will never obtain a political name as a corporate sponsored name will be worth far too money to pass up, especially in a small market like Quebec City. A miniscule market, really.
ReplyDeleteI am not sure the federalist of Quebec city will permit that....i can already heard the X-Radio around here begin a massive campaign to block this name at all cost....
ReplyDelete"Justin, how on earth do you associate Saddam Hussein with Quebec? I think the Editor was writing metaphorically"
ReplyDeleteExactly
"...i can already heard the X-Radio around here begin a massive campaign to block this name at all cost...."
ReplyDeleteYou should say trash-radio or garbage-radio.
Si Harper ne met pas un sous dans ce projet,croyez-vous que le peu de fédérastes qui habitent Québec demeureront fidèles a la feuille d'érable?
THe metaphore escuse is a easy one but heh...
ReplyDeleteso i guess we can compare METAPHORY Pauline Marois to Kim Jong Il ?
“its usually americans with Quebecois roots.”
ReplyDeleteBingo.
As a general side note, I noticed that the Quebecois often confuse American indifference to what goes on in Quebec with American tacit support for what goes on in Quebec. It seems to be an accepted dogma in Quebec that English-speaking Americans = good, English-speaking Canadians = bad, English-speaking Quebeckers = the scum of the earth.
I can guarantee you that if Americans were to be exposed to Quebec and forced to coexist with the parasitic, manipulative, and exploitive nation-state of Quebec on the same basis as Canada has to (or masochistically chooses to), the so called “Quebec bashing” would be a daily occurrence in the mainstream American press. In fact, it would give the Quebecois a true taste of bashing. Americans wouldn’t tip toe around it the way Canadians do, and the Quebecois would be left reminiscing about the good old days when “Quebec bashing” was just a timid and rather infrequent affair.
"Si Harper ne met pas un sous dans ce projet,croyez-vous que le peu de fédérastes qui habitent Québec demeureront fidèles a la feuille d'érable?"
ReplyDeleteRight, because in a time where the economy is extremely fragile and with all the shit going on in the world the best thing to do right now is to invest federal money in a new hockey team in a small, albeit passionate, market. But hey if you want to choose vengeful passion over logic and reason that's your choice.
"I can guarantee you that..."
ReplyDeleteSeriez-vous un pécialiste du droit internanional?
Nous aimons les amerlocs quand ils se mêlent de leurs affaires et les canadians devraient les imiter.On leur vend de l'hydro,ils payent peu importe la langue et c'est très bien ainsi.
Quel stupide clown ce adski!
I agree with Justin. I do not really think that Americans care about or even know who Rene Levesque is. I think that they (including Bettman) will think that it it just another obscure Canadian historical figure - that they know nothing about. As well, even though corporate naming rights are quite lucrative, having an NHL arena without corporate name is not unprecedented. Joe Louis Arena, Madison Square Garden and Nassau Coliseum do not have corporate sponsorship.
ReplyDeleteThe real story here I think is how Gilles Duceppe is trying to drag the Federal Government through the mud in terms of Quebec City arena financing. Now Duceppe is asking - no, demanding - that the feds foot 175 M$ for that arena, with no substantial argument.
If, by any chance, the feds entertain that demand, where will it stop? Will the feds also pay for Rob Ford's Toronto NFL stadium?
"It seems to be an accepted dogma in Quebec that English-speaking Americans = good, English-speaking Canadians = bad, English-speaking Quebeckers = the scum of the earth.
ReplyDeleteI can guarantee you that if Americans were to be exposed to Quebec and forced to coexist with the parasitic, manipulative, and exploitive nation-state of Quebec on the same basis as Canada has to (or masochistically chooses to), the so called “Quebec bashing” would be a daily occurrence in the mainstream American press"
Spot on. Nationalists love to remind us how Louisianna was assimilated to promote their agenda of fear and yet they also seem to honnestly think that they'd be better off in the States. Huh? Better off in a country that you KNOW has already fully assimilated one French culture? Better off in a country that changed the name of French fries to Freedom fries? In a country where many (not all) people think Canadians are queer for speaking French? Here's 5$. Go get a clue.
Troy: “I do not really think that Americans care about or even know who Rene Levesque is”
ReplyDeleteSo they wouldn’t object to it out of their general ignorance and/or very little significance of Quebec on the world stage (we all know who Reagan, Gorbachev, Kohl, Thatcher, Mitterrand were, but who tf was Levesque?). This doesn’t absolve Quebec of anything.
You might not realize it but when Leveque was exposed to the American public by Mordechai Richler, a series of appearances that Levesque was supposed to make in American universities were cancelled by the American organizers. That’s according to JF Lisee himself.
http://archives.radio-canada.ca/emissions/231-4553/page/2/
So Americans do care once they find out.
The problem is that news don’t get out, and if they do, it’s always some sanitized, generalized, and abstract babble of the “Quebec has the right to protect its language” sort. Ottawa is too chicken shit to disturb the “social peace” so it gives Quebec what it wants, and keeps quiet about its excesses. (Richler did mention that it was not the Quebecois but Anglophone bureaucrats from Ottawa that would try to dissuade him from publishing articles on Quebec in the American press)
---------
The thing that strikes me the most about the PK Paledeau latest stunt is that he has the gull to march up to Ottawa officials and DEMND money, or else. Reed Scowen describes this phenomenon in his book. This is the kind of thing that every Quebec Francophone feels instinctively, namely, that Ottawa will ALWAYS cave in, that blackmail works, that they “owe us”, and that "we're immune".
This is the kind of pathology that Canada has to put an end to. The only way to do this is to encourage Quebec to secede, and that can only be achieved by cutting the preferential treatment once and for all. Otherwise, Quebec will never leave, and will keep dragging Canada down.
AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA' and I'll write it in english to be understand by the primitive owner of this blog : you're paranoid colonialist, did not you realize it ?
ReplyDelete"This is the kind of pathology that Canada has to put an end to. The only way to do this is to encourage Quebec to secede, and that can only be achieved by cutting the preferential treatment once and for all. Otherwise, Quebec will never leave, and will keep dragging Canada down. "
ReplyDeleteCorrect!!!! Quebec will never leave as the pequistes utilize the language and cultural issue plus their minority in Canada to futher their agenda of blackmail Best way to end a bluff is to call it. They have no intention of leaving Canada...the rhetoric is all false and designed to intimidate the ROC. Unfortunate the politicians in Ottawa cannot seem to "get it".
Good luck getting players to go to QC. This isn't the old NHL. The Habs have had a hard enough time attracting talent, in part due to the ridiculous taxation brackets in this province, and in part due to the linguistic bullshit. They can't even hire a coach based on his merits, but have to figure out who speaks adequate French to communicate with the horde. (No coincidence that linguistic nepotism has led to the decline of the storied franchise from the seventies to today.)
ReplyDeleteQebecois players themselves (of any talent)catch the gravy train south of the border.
Calling the arena Levesque (barf), will only serve to keep away more players in this league. The majority of the teams may have their ownership south of the border, but the overwhelming majority of players and supporting cast for the NHL are Canadian.
Maybe they can draft from the local brasseries and use a bald, wino, chain smoking midget for their logo.
"The only way to do this is to encourage Quebec to secede, and that can only be achieved by cutting the preferential treatment once and for all."
ReplyDeleteI disagree. The notion of a separate Quebec has to be killed enough that no resurrection will ever be possible. It's time for Ottawa and the billionaires that control the majority of the wealth in this province to reverse the chokehold and to place demands on QC on the 'or else principle'.
The nationalist movement in this province is a joke and will never stand up to any kind of pressure.
It's time for Quebecers to be shown what life in an independent Quebec would really be like - pull out all Canadian investments and handouts now.
While they're at it, might as well hold a referendum on the political future of the island - give the nationalists a little taste of threatening and coercive politics taken directly from the Levesque playbook of demagoguery.
A state erected on the principles of race and homogeneity can never be allowed to exist in North America.
Anon 1:18 PM: “The notion of a separate Quebec has to be killed enough that no resurrection will ever be possible.”
ReplyDeleteThat would be an ideal solution, but the problem with this is that the Quebecois are not going to let go of this notion so easily. Not because they want to secede, but because secession is a tried and tested method for extracting favors from the RoC.
I’ll let Mr.Scowen do the talking. He sees it like it is. All quotes are from “Time to Say Goodbye”
“Meanwhile, Quebeckers are still using the threat of separation as a powerful tool for extracting economic and political concessions at the expense of other provinces”
“Quebec will never vote for complete independence, and yet it will never be satisfied with less than independence, because the permanent maintenance of this tension serves its own interests”.
“The unity crisis may have reduced economic opportunity for the average Quebec worker, but it has furnished substantial economic benefits of the province’s francophone elite”
“It’s often pointed out that political uncertainty has a negative effect on Quebec economy. But it has had a very positive effect on the francophone share of that economy”
“Quebec’s political behavior at home is faithfully reflected in its relationship with the rest of the country. Quebec insists that its state-sponsored obsession with the French language and culture be understood, endorsed, embraced by … everyone else in Canada”
“There is no consensus on this [the definition of “special status”] because there is no benefit for Quebeckers in seeking a final answer to this question. After a century of political tutoring, the francophone population understands intuitively that its surest power lies in the negotiating process itself, the menace of separation combined with the demand for special status, to unceasingly enlarge the political autonomy of the Quebec government, to reduce that of Ottawa. Quebec has no interest in finding an angle of repose in this eternal struggle”
“The threat of separation, omnipresent but never carried out, has guaranteed this province a degree of attention at all levels of Canadian public-policy making that serves it very well”
“Instinctively, francophone Quebeckers are aware that the present situation provides them with the best of all possible worlds.”
“Indistinctively, francophone federalists and separatists have fashioned a “one-two” punch, which has staggered the rest of the country and keeps it reeling. First the separatists threaten secession, then the federalist elite exploits this possibility to force more concessions from Canada while appealing for generosity of spirit and reminding us of the obligation to redeem historical injustices”.
“Unless Canada takes action on this issue, it will never be resolved”
If there is a possibility of entire montreal Island getting a 75% anglo-allo majority and a montreal mayor and majority council came in that represented the anglo and allo majority, 1st thing I would want them to do is rename Rene Lesveque for that vagrant he ran over. Also name some other streets after the other FLQ victims aside from Pierre Laporte.
ReplyDelete@adski
ReplyDeleteNe souhaitez pas de malheurs aux anglos du Québec car le jour ou nous aurons notre pays,tous les petits privilèges que vous comptez pour aquis disparaîtront comme par magie.
Plus de privilège,plus d'anglos...Pafff!!!!
"Ne souhaitez pas de malheurs aux anglos du Québec car le jour ou nous aurons notre pays,tous les petits privilèges que vous comptez pour aquis disparaîtront comme par magie.
ReplyDeletePlus de privilège,plus d'anglos...Pafff!!!!"
Ja wohl, mein Führer!
In response to Anonymous @ January 26, 2011 2:44 PM
ReplyDelete‘Ne souhaitez pas de malheurs aux anglos du Québec car le jour ou nous aurons notre pays,tous les petits privilèges que vous comptez pour aquis disparaîtront comme par magie. Plus de privilège,plus d'anglos...Pafff!!!! ‘
I’ve been reading a bunch of posts and comments on this blog. I’m not getting a good impression of the Quebecois people, so many of their comments are rude, disrespectful, and blatantly hostile towards anyone who disagrees with their point of view. Some of their comments are even threatening. I feel sorry Canadians who have to deal with that on a daily basis. You live with too much conflict, what a crappy way to live, and what a total waste of time.
As an outsider looking in, I can’t figure out why the Quebecois people are so down on Canada. No country is perfect, but Canada by all accounts is one of the better places to live in the world. Like most countries, Canada is a work in progress with many successes and failures. From what I’ve read on the subject, it sounds like the Quebecois people of today have it really good in Canada. All of their grievances seem to be rooted in the deep, dark past of ancient history. Why can’t they come to terms with the past and work on a progressive and inclusive future?
Currently, they characterize all English speaking North Americans as the enemy. It seems obvious to me that the more they isolate and separate themselves from the rest of North Americans, the more paranoid and insecure they will become. I think Quebec could be a global powerhouse if the Quebecois people were to adjust their perspective and market the province as a multilingual, tolerant, and accommodating place to live and invest in.
How is it possible that the French language is threatened in North America? Aren’t there roughly 8 million people in Quebec and about 80% are Francophone? That’s millions and millions of French speaking people, and the population continues to grow. How could that many people lose their mother tongue? How could anyone believe such nonsense, never mind substantiate it?
How many anglos did Lévesque killed?
ReplyDeleteWalk in Montreal, and you will see that many murderer of french people have their own street.
Stop crying!!! Lévesque deserves it!
"I’ve been reading a bunch of posts and comments on this blog. I’m not getting a good impression of the Quebecois people"
ReplyDeleteWhile your outsider point of view is mostly accurate, you should know that these people do not represent a majority of Quebeckers, who are very kind and open people. Unfortunately, few societies are immune to the effects of brainwashing propaganda.
And if you think these comments are bad, try checking out separatist blogs. One time I entered a discussion writing in both english and french in an extremely polite demeanour, and was torn to shreds by two specific contributors for writing in English on their blogs. The blog admin then came up with a wonderful solution. In order to prevent any further anglo-bashing, no more English posts wiould be allowed on the site.....huh????
"Stop crying!!! Lévesque deserves it!"
ReplyDeleteA man who killed someone by hitting him with his car while inhebriated. In that car with him was a younger woman who was not his wife. His wife divorced him and he married that woman.
Yup. A truly stellar individual
Next I vote that we rename Crescent street OJ Simpson boulevard (I'm kidding, information spinners, just kidding)
Jason: “you should know that these people do not represent a majority of Quebeckers”
ReplyDeleteQuebecers do differ one from another like in any other population – some are tall, some are short, some are poor, some are rich, some are educated, some are not educated, some are bilingual, some are unilingual, some are well-travelled, some never left Jonquière, Qc….But you must start entertaining a possibility that virtually all of them have one thing in common – they all support bill 101. Some are open to some modifications and a lifting of some restrictions, but you will never run into a Quebecois who would be fundamentally opposed to bill 101.
For a long time, I lived with one internal contradiction. I strongly believed that not everyone in a given population can support a given law, but the fact was that in my 20 years in Quebec I have never met a Quebecois who would criticize 101. Even the most educated, most travelled, and perfectly bilingual Quebecois I’ve met would drift along the lines of “yeah, it might be too restrictive in some areas, but all in all it’s necessary, so it must stay”. Then I came to a conclusion that I must do what I hate doing – make a generalization.
There was a poll recently which concluded that 61% of Francophones want access to English schools. Ask these people what they think about 101, and all of the 61% will say that 101 is necessary. Challenge them about this contradiction (you want free choice of language, but you’re for 101), and you’ll get a blank stare. They don’t mind the contradiction. They’ve lived with it since 1977.
Jason, you said that your girlfriend is a bilingual, open minded Quebecoise. Do a test – ask her about 101. My guess is that she will not rebuff it unequivocally. In all likelihood, she will hedge her bets, say that some parts of it could be amended, but overall it should stay in place.
Later on, I'll post a few more quotes from Scowen’s excellent book. Some quotes deal with the issue of the virtually universal support of 101 by the Quebecois.
True. A vast majority of them probably do support Bill 101. But allot of these might honnestly and simply just see it as a law protecting the French language and not some
ReplyDelete"slap in an anglo's face" law, and it's very easy to understand this feeling if you look and sympathize with what the French in Quebec lived through. But we both know that that's not what the law really is (not entirely anyways). Now whether a good portion of Quebecois choose to support it out of innocence as I suggested or sheer vengeance I think is up for debate.
My girlfriend is actually an interesting case. She was educated in the French public education system at, in my opinion, one of the worst French schools around: Antoine Brossard. The brainwashing that goes on there is flabergasting. I wouldn't go as far as saying that Quebec public teachers flat out lie to their students, but they certainly leave out allot of truths (this of course doesn't apply to all Quebec teachers). Going out with me and hanging out with my anglo (ethnic or white) and Quebecois federalist friends has truly rocked her perspective on Quebec-Canada relations. Before me she was a Bill 101 as-it-is advocate (She didn't even know we had language Police. See? Innocence. When I told her about the Mckibbins incident she was disgusted, especially since she's part Irish). But now with me exposing her to a different culture, more open-mindedness, and a few historical and politcal facts that her school so conveniently forgot to mention, she is 100% for a complete makeover of Quebec law, including 101. And I didn't even have to pressure her or convince her of anything. I don't force her to talk English to me in fact I encourage her to celebarte her French culture. I simply presented her with textbooks, news articles, new and interesting people, and she drew the conclusions on her own. This is why I think many of them support it out of innocence; they're steered in a specific direction that inhibits them from drawing their own conclusions.
"Plus de privilège,plus d'anglos...Pafff!!!! "
ReplyDeleteComments like yours vindicate Trudeau and the War Measures Act. If anything, he can be judged on limiting its scope.
One way or the other, a drive toward independence and the social restructuring of the province will only lead to its demise. Either through force, or by the perpetual poltical and economic domination of the province by its neighbours.
I really wish that you were full of more than just hot air and crap so we can get the process going.
More food for thought. The stuff should be printed up and nailed to every door on the Parliament Hill.
ReplyDelete----
“These restrictions [Bill 101] are supported by the only two political parties that matter in Quebec, for the simplest reason that practically all French Quebeckers, certainly all those with influence in these matters, want it to be that way. They practice a curious form of language worship whose catechism is a law – 101. Don’t touch Bill 101. It provides us with social peace – is the new rosary. It’s also a warning, understood and heeded by every political party in Quebec”
“The entire French-speaking population of Quebec, urban and rural, young and old, rich and poor, agrees with this [Bill 101’s] line of reasoning. The language debate in Quebec has not been about whether there should be legislation to limit the use of English, only how far it should be taken”
“[Since 1993] Bill 101 has become untouchable, too sensitive to be amended, too sensitive even to be discussed”
“All of Quebec’s political parties, and virtually all members of French-speaking community, think these limitations are a good thing. It is this pressure of popular opinion the persuaded Premier Bourassa, and Claude Ryan, to repudiate the Liberal promise to allow bilingual signs”
“The Liberals would have kept many of their commitments to the English community if the francophone population had not overwhelmingly opposed them”
“But peace comes in different forms. One kind is the fruit of an agreement freely arrived at. Another is silence, imposed when one side is too strong to be resisted. Ours is the second kind”
“Dissatisfaction with Canada is the prevailing sentiment of nearly all Quebeckers, faithfully reflected in the policies of the only two parties that could possibly win an election”
“The two parties [PLQ and PQ] are virtually indistinguishable”
“The ideology of both parties is grounded in ethnic and linguistic nationalism”
“Every political decision taken in the national capital [Ottawa], be it a promise, a political appointment, a subsidy, or a new law, is considered in the light of the separatist threat. And Quebeckers are quick to exploit this fear.”
ReplyDelete“For him [Michael Oakeshott – a famous political theorist, Scowen’s prof at the London School of Economics] the nationalist is the “individual manqué”, a person suffering from some combination of actual loss, debility, ignorance, timidity, poverty, loneliness, displacement, persecution, or misfortune. These people can be identified by their inability to sustain an individual life and their longing for the shelter of a community. For him, the nation-state could be best understood as an association of invalids, all victims of the same disease and incorporated in seeking relief from their common ailment. For Oakeshott, it is one thing to have a sense of place, and quite another to be obsessed with it.”
“French is a regional language that is declining in importance. It is essential in France and parts of Belgium, Switzerland, and in Quebec. It’s also useful in some former French colonies, although even there it is slowly being replaced by English”
“English, on the other hand, is a word for two different things – a regional language and a global means of communication. And in both respects, it’s increasing in importance.”
“As a result of this policy [Bill 101], 67 percent of Quebec’s francophone population speaks no English today.”
“In Quebec, it is the duty of the citizen to respect and speak the language of the state – in Canada [after Quebec is gone], it will be the duty of the state to respect and speak the language of the citizen”
ReplyDelete“Quebec is not a good candidate for membership in any federation. It would not be an appropriate state in the USA, or in Germany. Its overriding cultural vocation makes the sharing of power with anyone, on any issue, a compromise that it sees as dangerous to its health”
“Maintaining and improving the Canadian civil association is a project worthy of our commitment. It’s a difficult accomplishment – and it’s impossible with Quebec”
“We should no longer put up with them [Quebec]. They poison the public discourse in the rest of the country, impede the development of harmonious relations between the increasingly diverse people and regions of Canada, and I think it is generally accepted that the political uncertainty underlying the debate has seriously impeded the economic prosperity of all Canadians. It has also hurt Quebec, which is slowly becoming economically irrelevant and ever more dependent on federal support”
“Over the past decade, Quebec’s economy relative to the rest of the country has registered a steady deterioration. Dubuc [Alain Dubuc – economist, journalist, columnist for LaPresse and Time Magazine] says that each time he returns to Quebec from a trip to Europe or the United States, it feels a bit like arriving in the Third World”
“Each year, Quebecers get about 3$ billion more in services from Ottawa than they pay for”
“Quebec is one of the poorest regions in North America with a GDP per person that puts it somewhere between Nebraska and Mississippi, and its rate of investment per worker is the lowest in Canada PEI excepted”
“The possibility of achieving finality on this issue [through the removal Quebec], the prospect of a country no longer torn by internal division and the threat of separation, will have a positive effect on Canada’s economy and its standing in the international community”
“The two political visions [Canada and Quebec] are incompatible”
Adski:
ReplyDeleteWith respect to your comments of 2:26PM yesterday afternoon, I too read Scowen's book, and you've pretty well quoted it chapter and verse.
I've also heard about Stephan Dion, first of all, refer to Holy Grail 101 as a "great Canadian law", and his father fortified his point of view by advising Bourassa when he was reigning monarch of the Quebecdom that the way to get money from the feds is to "hold a knife to Canada's throat".
Trudeau being a Quebecer with Francophone heritage was truly a sympathizer who played the role of the serpent better than anyone else, even Bourassa. He was able to appease the seppies enough to vote for him and the Jews (Mount Royal, remember?) notwithstanding his anti-Semitic behaviour in his youth.
Betcha a buncha blintzes Jr. Trudeau will be running for the leadership not after Ignatieff is ousted from the red throne (hopefully à la Julius Caesar (et tu Bob Rae?)), but the time after that. Scarily, he'll likely win since he has Chrétien in his pocket and I think he was being groomed long before running in Papineau.
If Jr. Trudeau grabs the mantle of leadership, you can bet that aforementioned "one-two punch" will be perpetuated and this is why a pro-Anglo federal party is needed to balance the unfair advantage Quebec has carried for almost a half century. It's only too bad that rare is the time I'll see anybody on this blog agreeing with me, and I'm getting a bit fed up. If someone out there has a better solution, a more equitable solution, will you bloody well SPEAK UP!
@Adski et Mississauga (The dream team)
ReplyDeletePourquoi ne pas élaborer les lignes d'un nouveau parti fédéraliste.Avec toutes vos connaissaces aquises sur notre Nation,nous serions a genoux en moins de deux- peuple a genoux,attend ta délivrance - Ne Seriez-vous que des millitants passifs?
Vous perdez vos énergies et votre temps inutilement sur ce blogue.Allez!Secouez-vous bordel!On dirait deux vieilles tantes anglos autour d'une tasse de thé qui radote leur passé.
To AngloBuster/Anonymous/Dartagan at 2:58 PM:
ReplyDelete"Vous perdez vos énergies et votre temps inutilement sur ce blogue.Allez!Secouez-vous bordel!"
If this blog is so useless, then why are you spending so much time on it? You can't stand to see the truth can you?
You used to comment under the name "Dartagnan" on this blog months ago, and now you are posting under both "AngloBuster" and "Anonymous" at the same time. You must spend hours everyday following this blog as well as others, because surely you're accessing the Quebec nationalist websites too. No doubt you are just another Quebecois welfare bum with too much time on his hands.
@Anglo Bashers
ReplyDeleteVous êtes fort.Soit vous vous intéressez vraiment a mon style remarquable (j'en conviens aussi) ou vous avez accès a mon adresse IP,ce qui serait fort malhonnête.J'aime naviguer de blogue en blogue sous différentes identités et c'est vrai que j'ai un petit faible pour celui-ci,il est tellement surréaliste.Voir les anglos afficher leurs souffrances et leur désespoir me procure une joie incommensurable...J'espère que vous saisissez mes propos.En passant,Math c'est aussi moi.
And George Washington?
ReplyDeleteHe was a separatist.
The NHL governors shouldn't let the Caps play in a city named after a separatist.
@Gaetan Ledoux
ReplyDeleteExcellent!
"@Adski et Mississauga (The dream team)"
ReplyDeleteWhy aren't you discussing with me anymore? Afraid I'll rip you a fourth or fifth asshole? Because you never seem to respond once I stump your stupid claims.
Just so everyone has an idea of how retarded this person is. He thinks that Journal de Montreal readers being the primary benefactors of Quebec welfare is a legitimate statistic. He also believes that Quebec invented the free health care system. He believes a large majority of Quebec's populace are pro-independance. He thinks vigile.net is a blogue "raffine". He thinks the FLQ have nothing to do with the spirit of Quebec independance and that people generally don't support or approve of what they did. He thinks the English are the ones abusing their rights in Quebec.
Racist expressions he's used include : anglouilles, Pas les importés mais les vrais Québécois, Des gaz de sikhs, Aussi jouissif que de sortir un filet rempli de morues le Néo-Brunwickois?
"On dirait deux vieilles tantes anglos autour d'une tasse de thé qui radote leur passé."
Sounds allot like vigile.net. Every second or third column there is accompanied by a picture of some old fart holding a 60 year old grudge
"And George Washington?"
Of course! Because as everyone knows, Quebec and the United States pre-independance are the exact same situation. So obviously making this comparison is a truly relevant argument. Thank you for bringing 4th grader logic back into the wolrd of adulthood. Now to explain why your logic is flawed.
- Unites States were being taxed without representation. Quebec has BQ and PQ.
- Rene Levesque arena is insulting to Canada, you know that country that owns (figuratively) hockey?
- Washington DC, if offensive, would only be offensive to the Brits. I had no idea the British so so heavily invested in the NHL.
You should try to not just saying things for the sake of saying them. Or better yet, think BEFORE you say them.
In addition to Jason’s rebuttal on the Washington – Levesque comparison, I must ask – can Levesque be included on the list of historical separatist figures? Don’t true separatists either end up leading their people to self-determination and end up on currency bills, or alternatively end up hanged? If the American Revolution failed, all the Founding Fathers would have been marched up straight to the gallows. And they were aware of it all along. Conversely, Louis Riel was not so lucky and ended up executed. If he succeeded, he might have carved out a Francophone country in the western Canada that would honor him today by putting him on one of its monetary bills.
ReplyDeleteWas Levesque ever in any kind of danger? As an unsuccessful “separatist”, did he end up on the gallows, or even in jail? Was he ready to rise up and fight, like Washington did? Was he even willing to ask his people a straight question, like “Do you want Quebec to be an independent country, Yes or No?”?
No, he didn’t. Instead, he came up with this doozie:
"The Government of Quebec has made public its proposal to negotiate a new agreement with the rest of Canada, based on the equality of nations; this agreement would enable Quebec to acquire the exclusive power to make its laws, levy its taxes and establish relations abroad — in other words, sovereignty — and at the same time to maintain with Canada an economic association including a common currency; any change in political status resulting from these negotiations will only be implemented with popular approval through another referendum; on these terms, do you give the Government of Quebec the mandate to negotiate the proposed agreement between Quebec and Canada?"
Are Quebec separatists real separatists, or are they just “separatists”? Are they true warriors for the cause, or are they just political hucksters, manipulators, and extortionists?
Are Quebec “federalists” real federalists? Or are they political hucksters, manipulators, and extortionists?
Does a province that really wants to be a country fail for 50 years to become one when all it needs is a simple majority to a referendum question?
Was this movement a bluff from the get-go, or did it only evolve into one over time?
@Jason
ReplyDeleteJe viens tout juste de jeter un coup d'oeil sur ton profile.
Zéro référence a la culture locale.Tu vis au Québec (Brossard,ouch!) et tu consommes ZÉRO culture locale.
Attends...ha oui,une seule référence...Les colocs?Wow!Bravo!Une erreur de parcours j'imagine.
Comment appelle-t-on quelqu'un qui vit au sein d'une Nation (même temporairement) sans apprécier ses goûts musicaux,littéraires ou cinématographiques et j'y inclus la télé aussi si nous voulons être cohérents.
Moi j'obterais soit pour mésadapté social avec une petite touche de racisme ou quelqu'un qui vient étudier au Québec parcequ'il n'a pas les moyens financiers pour fréquenter les établissements ontariens.
Alors qu'en dites-vous cher Jason?Suis-je loin de la vérité?
"Moi j'obterais soit pour mésadapté social avec une petite touche de racisme"
ReplyDeleteThis statement is a pure projection.
"Zéro référence a la culture locale.Tu vis au Québec (Brossard,ouch!) et tu consommes ZÉRO culture locale.
ReplyDeleteAttends...ha oui,une seule référence...Les colocs?Wow!Bravo!Une erreur de parcours j'imagine.
Comment appelle-t-on quelqu'un qui vit au sein d'une Nation (même temporairement) sans apprécier ses goûts musicaux,littéraires ou cinématographiques et j'y inclus la télé aussi si nous voulons être cohérents."
Wow, you've proven that I don't like French music or cinema. You're an astute little observer aren't you. I could have saved you the trouble. Here watch: I don't like french music or cinema. And it has nothing to do with racism. I just don't find it that good. This also doesn't mean I don't watch or listen to it. In case you didn't notice it says to list my FAVOURITE MUSIC AND TV. It doesn't say list THE MUSIC AND TV YOU LIKE AND EVERYTHING ELSE IS SHIT.
I, on the other hand, have proven that you're a retard.
I'm pretty comfortable with the conclusions we've drawn.
"Une erreur de parcours j'imagine."
Clearly, because after all, you do know me on a very personal levels for many years now. Don't make assumptions you couldn't possibly know anything about. Because you know what happens when we assume... we make an ass out of you..... and that's it
"Comment appelle-t-on quelqu'un qui vit au sein d'une Nation (même temporairement) sans apprécier ses goûts musicaux,littéraires ou cinématographiques et j'y inclus la télé aussi si nous voulons être cohérents."
Well let's see. The only nation I'm aware of north of the USA is Canada, and I'm very involved in it's culture. And I'm very involved in Montreal culture as well, going to shows at Place des Arts and other locations about once a month. How bout you? Involved in anything Canadian or should we apply your own question to yourself?
"Moi j'obterais soit pour mésadapté social avec une petite touche de racisme"
VERY rich that YOU'RE the one calling ME a racist. I just quoted 4 or 5 racist statements made by you in the last few days alone. I, on the other hand, have not made one racist comment.
And go ask my 2 Quebecoise (ex)girlfriends, my current one, and my large french circle of friends if I'm socially unadapted.
"quelqu'un qui vient étudier au Québec parcequ'il n'a pas les moyens financiers pour fréquenter les établissements ontariens."
I'm doing very well financially thank you. And I didn't COME to Quebec to study. I was BORN here. I am a Canadian Quebecois
"Alors qu'en dites-vous cher Jason?Suis-je loin de la vérité?"
As usual, yes you are
So there we go, once again you offer nothing to the discussion other than what you think would be insults directed at me, which probably did not impact in a way you expected did it, Lenardo Retardo?
Good day.
Adski, very nicely put. The only thing I would say is that for the whole was he hung thing; he had the advantage of living in a more civilized time. Other than that good post.
ReplyDelete"I am a Canadian Quebecois"
ReplyDeleteMoi je suis un Chinois Italien.
"Moi je suis un Chinois Italien"
ReplyDeleteI realize that it may not be a common sight in the farmlands of the Beauce, but don't let the fertilizer get to your head. A person of Chinese - Italian ancestry is common enough.
So are Pakistani-Quebecers, Chinese Quebecers, Greek - Quebecers, etc.
The Quebec you speak of does not exist and never really has. As time goes by, you will see less of your prefered cultuaral mix because our numbers are growing and there's lots of space in the Beauce for our synagogues, our minarets, orthodox churches, ethnic schools and everything else we need to thrive.
""I am a Canadian Quebecois"
ReplyDeleteMoi je suis un Chinois Italien."
Awesome! We're both of legitimate nationality! :D
"Stephen Harpon"
ReplyDeleteYou realize that you're not insulting the prophet Mouhammed right? We tend to not care if someone insults our leader cuz we know he's a douche. What you probably thought was quite witty and clever and would piss off allot of anglos turned out to just be a waste of your time and hopes really.
"...because our numbers are growing..."
ReplyDeleteFaster than bedbugs?
Comparing immigrants to bedbugs.... I think you've just created a new racial slur.
ReplyDeleteI vote we pay tribute to all the Parti Quebecois leaders and everything they've done for (to?) Quebec by naming sewage treatment plants after them!
ReplyDeleteImagine, paying tribute to Pauline Marois, Parizeau, René Lévesqu EVERY TIME YOU FLUSH YOUR TOILET!
"I wouldn't go as far as saying that Quebec public teachers flat out lie to their students"
ReplyDeleteI've been working in public education in Quebec for a decade. The entire system is built around the Quebecois propaganda myths. The curriculum and Francophone teachers omit and intentionally misinform. The worst part of it is that it goes completely unchecked.
What can you expect when the whole system has been degraded to such a degree?
History teachers no longer require a degree in their discipline. They just take generalized Education degrees and proceed to teach a host of subjects they really know nothing about, just following the guidelines handed down by the Goebbels troop of the provincial government.
Someone really needs to torpedo the whole system in this province starting with 101 and the cretin demagogues in the assembly.
I do not understand this situation, they want to separate from Canada, but cannot build this arena without federal money?
ReplyDeleteMost NHL players play for the love of the game or the money, and most will not enjoy bringing their families to a place where they have less rights and their children will have to attend french schools. Do the fans in Quebec City really think all the french canadian players will flock back to play for Les Nationals? I don't think so. How will they react to a mostly anglo/european team?
"I do not understand this situation, they want to separate from Canada, but cannot build this arena without federal money"
ReplyDeleteIl va sans dire que vous ne comprenez pas.Il ne s'agit pas de l'argent du fédéral mais bien de notre argent,celui des Québécois.
"Il va sans dire que vous ne comprenez pas.Il ne s'agit pas de l'argent du fédéral mais bien de notre argent,celui des Québécois"
ReplyDeleteWhat the hell are you talking about? Quebec has asked for federal funding for the Quebec city arena. Anybody who hasn't been living under a rock for the past 2-3 months knows that. And obviously Quebec has to put up part of the bill. You think you'd get an arena for free? I really don't understand what you're trying to insinuate or prove by your statement. Your intellect never ceases to amaze.
"Il va sans dire que vous ne comprenez pas.Il ne s'agit pas de l'argent du fédéral mais bien de notre argent,celui des Québécois"
ReplyDeleteI can sense your hostility right off the bat, but with a name like anglo buster, I can tell arguing with you would be like trying to convince a member of al-Qaeda that the west is not so bad.
Allie.
ReplyDeletePersonnellement, je suis souverainiste. Je conçois que vous pouvez ne pas comprendre mon point de vue, mais c’est normale, nous ne vivons pas la même réalité. Par contre, je trouve cet article totalement irrespectueux et qui semble seulement être écrit dans le but de provoquer ou je ne sais trop. René Lévesque est une personne qui mérite le respect. Je trouve que nommer cette aréna en son nom serait assez peu significatif.
“Does a province that really wants to be a country fail for 50 years to become one when all it needs is a simple majority to a referendum question?”
xDD Je suis presque d’accord avec ce poste. Mais c’est beaucoup plus compliqué que ça en a l’air. Non les Québécois (en général) ne sont pas des combattants, ça n’a jamais été dans notre nature. En fait nous sommes un peuple paisible qui tente simplement d’exister sans trop déranger personne. À l’exception, peut-être, en ce qui concerne la sauvegarde de la langue Française où la chose est prise avec sérieux.
“I do not understand this situation, they want to separate from Canada, but cannot build this arena without federal money?”
Je comprends ce que tu veux dire, mais l’histoire c’est aussi que plusieurs ministres ont fait une sortie publique en portant le chandail des Nordiques. C’est un peu étrange qu’ils nous refusent une aide de financement après ça tu ne trouves pas? Personnellement, je ne vois pas pourquoi le gouvernement qu’il soit provincial ou fédéral mettrait son nez là-dedans.
“Do the fans in Quebec City really think all the french canadian players will flock back to play for Les Nationals? I don't think so. How will they react to a mostly anglo/european team?”
Je ne crois pas qu’ils en seront étonnés. Ils veulent une équipe parce qu’ils adorent le hockey, il n’y a aucun rapport avec le nationalisme Québécois en fait.
“ I've been working in public education in Quebec for a decade. The entire system is built around the Quebecois propaganda myths. The curriculum and Francophone teachers omit and intentionally misinform. The worst part of it is that it goes completely unchecked.
What can you expect when the whole system has been degraded to such a degree?”
Je trouve que nos cours d’histoire sont tout à fait neutres. Il n’y a pas de système parfait, mais j’ai l’impression que tu exagères. Je suis d’accord par rapport au fait que les professeurs en général devraient être plus évalués, toutes matières confondues, mais c’est un tout autre débat.