Maxime Bernier and Quebec's Sacred Cow

Everyday I wake up and take a measure of cynical satisfaction that I as a Quebec Anglophone am imbued with special rights that my Francophone brethren are denied.

The reality of Quebec society is that there are three distinct levels of citizen status, each providing special privileges (or lack thereof.)

Of course, first and foremost, is Quebec's Native population, who are provided extra-special rights and privileges, too numerous to describe, rights that non-natives in the province are denied.

Most of us begrudge the natives these rights as it seems a bit unfair to us that they can flit between the treaty world, chock full of entitlements, and our regular society, as it suits their fancy.

But Canadian Anglophones living in Quebec are also accorded a special status, one that the majority of Quebeckers are denied, based solely on language and birth, something that logic would tell us that the Charter of Rights, be it the Canadian or the Quebec version would preclude.

Of course we're talking about the right to attend English schools, a benefit that remains exclusive to those born with the proverbial silver spoon in their mouth, an English-educated parent born in Canada.

Most Francophones don't seem overly perturbed by the notion that as the majority, they enjoy the fewest rights of all Quebeckers.
In fact, most will say that while they'd like to preserve choice in education, Bill 101, the law that restricts access to English school, is a sacrosanct piece of legislation that is bedrock to the preservation of the Quebec 'nation'

It's a bit of a paradox, but no matter, Bill 101 is as holy to Quebeckers as is the U.S. Constitution is to Americans. A document worthy of biblical reverence, never to be questioned or disputed.

And so Maxime Bernier's rather flippant remark during an interview last week on Halifax-based radio is rocking the world of Quebec's language defenders.

“It’s like in Quebec — we don’t need Bill 101 to protect the French language over there,” Bernier is quoted as saying. “They know we speak French in Quebec and we will speak French for a long time, I believe it.” Read more in the Montreal Gazette

Mr. Bernier's statement will likely change nothing nor move even one person to the other side of the debate. Many journos are commenting that Bernier said what he said to establish his bona fides as a "conservative Canadian' and to position himself as a legitimate successor to Stephen Harper, a francophone acceptable to Anglos out West.

Hmmmm....Dunno...

I'm not going to discuss the veracity or validity of Mr. Bernier's statement on Bill 101, we've all got our opinion and it's a subject that's been flogged to death. It's about as useful a discussion as the debate whether God is real or not. There's nowhere to go, no road that hasn't been travelled.

But the ongoing reaction from Quebec's linguistic 'Defenders of the Faith' is at least fun to follow. 

I'm sitting back and watching for the most outrageous or angry reaction that will surely follow what can only be perceived as a blasphemous provocation by the militant language zealots.

So far it's Pauline Marois who has unleashed the biggest stupidity by inviting Mr. Bernier to Montreal to see what's going on language-wise.  Madame Marois has subtly voiced what so many of her backers believe, that Montreal has become a modern Tower of Babel, or perhaps a Sodom and Gomorrah, where the infidels are fiddling with the purity of the Quebec ideal.

“Mr. Bernier should come to Montreal more often, where we can see there is an anglicization now,” Ms. Marois told reporters at the party's regional convention in the city.

How one can "SEE"  'language anglicization' is beyond me. 

Perhaps Madame Marois was referring to the many black and brown faces, the many hijabs, yarmulkes, saris, turbans and wide-brimmed Hasidic hats as proof of anglicization.

Freudian Slip, perhaps?

The instantaneous reaction of militants to Mr. Bernier's statement reminds me of my dog's Pavlovian reaction to the doorbell--

RUFF! RUFF! RUFF!.........RUFF! RUFF! RUFF!......RUFF! RUFF! RUFF! 

It's hilarious to see how extraordinarily easy it is to trigger such an overwhelming reaction, like banging on the cage of a sleeping lion at the circus to see him roar, all for our amusement!

Other Bon Mots;

Francoise David, leader of Quebec solidaire;

“The fight for French in Quebec is not won. In fact, it will never be won,”

Keep them coming!

By the way, Bernier isn't backing down. Read his reply to those attacking him, on his blog.

"Why should francophone parents not be allowed to send their children to an English or bilingual school for parts of their studies, so that they become completely fluent in both languages? English is the language of 350 million people surrounding us. It is also the most important international language all over the world. Mastering it is a major asset.

Not only this, but there has been an important English-speaking population in Quebec for 250 years. Unless we believe that Quebec today is simply an extension of New France, and that only descendants of the French settlers are real Quebecers, then English too is part of Quebec’s identity." LINK {eng}

I'm so happy I can't resist a little poem... (with apologies to St. Nick!)

With a handsome young driver, so hip and extreme,
I knew in a moment it must be Maxime
More rapid than eagles his haters alit,
They whistled, and shouted, and addled with spit!

"Now Curzi! Now Jacko! Now, Gilles and Pauline!

Stand up and be counted, pray call me obscene!
And rage from of the hill top, Your message transmit!
Now dash away all, cuz' I don't GIVE A SHIT! 

FURTHER READING:  
Bill 101- A Francophone Prison

Maxime Bernier Burns His Bridges