Wednesday, March 14, 2012

Is OQLF Making it Up As it Goes Along?

I know I promised a blog piece today on partition, but I think that the order of the day should be rearranged to accommodate a followup to Monday's post.

No doubt you heard about the Chinese Nigerian depanneur in Verdun who was secretly recorded in a telephone call by a researcher for Benoît Dutrizac, a noted Quebec shock-jock widely known for his rabid Anglophobia.
The Chinese immigrant was castigated for his lack of French and given a lesson in Bill 101, but the shopkeeper wasn't having any of it and unloaded on his accuser, in no uncertain terms.
It was actually quite hilarious.. Give a listen;
If you don't speak French it doesn't matter, most of the action is in English.



As you can imagine when the call was aired on the radio, it evoked quite a reaction.
Here's a video of a demonstration mounted in front of the convenience store by Les Jeunes patriotes du Québec. YouTube

Here's a story over CTV.
Read some of the comments below the article for a laugh!
Thanks to Andrew for the story.

Now I mention all this because the next day, Mr.  Dutrizac interviewed none other than the esteemed Madame Louise Marchand, head of the l'Office québécois de la langue française, who tut-tutted  at the extreme disrespect shown by this immigrant to the francophone majority.

It's one thing for a renowned Anglo-hater like Dutrizac to unload on an immigrant, taping a conversation surreptitiously and airing it without permission. Picking on the most vulnerable, an immigrant shopkeeper who probably works a hundred hours a week, may be par for the course for this self-important sleazebag, BUT......
the head of the OQLF dumping on the shopkeeper goes beyond the pale.

It seems that Madame Marchand is doing a lot of talking lately and I am fast coming to the realization that a lot of it is misdirection and malarkey.

Her latest campaign of 'persuasion' instead of enforcement in the matter of English store names and 'descriptives' has me thinking that the lady has no case at all.

It's like a cop making a friendly 'suggestion,' ....it only happens when he has no legal way to force you to do what he wants you to do.

Let's go back to the beginning.
Bill 101 was drafted almost thirty-five years ago by the famous Dr. Camille Laurin, who made no bones about the fact that it was a more than a law about protecting and promoting the French  language but rather a political instrument designed to further the cause of sovereignty.

It is important to understand this aspect, Bill 101 was created to promote sovereignty, as the good doctor freely admitted.

When Rene Levesque first saw the draft version of the law presented to his cabinet, barely three months after the PQ won the election, he was quite honestly appalled and pointed out to Laurin that many parts of it were clearly unconstitutional, plain to see, even to non-lawyer.
One of the original clauses in the act actually outlawed English in the courts and the legislature, something directly contravening the B.N.A Act.
Laurin told Levesque that it was part of the strategy, to create a law that would be attacked by the Anglos.
Those court challenges which would ultimately succeed, would engender a sense of rage among francophones, feeding the fire of sovereignty.
The strategy worked magnificently, over the years, some 70 clauses have been repealed, rejected or rewritten, representing about one-third of the law.

Today it is an integral part of the sovereigntists narrative that the evil Supreme Court has taken an axe to the law in revenge against Franco-Quebecer nationalism.
In that respect Mr. Laurin is to be congratulated for his grand deception, a marvel of cynical manipulation.
But pardon me if I don't clap.

When Laurin first presented his draft law to reporters at a press conference, a young reporter at the time, Don Macpherson, asked Dr. Laurin if he was prepared, and if he would indeed welcome the exodus of minorities that would surely ensue. A deadpan Laurin answered that he would regret such an exodus, but clearly it was lie.

Although Levesque objected to the law, he was overwhelmed by his own cabinet and when Laurin presented Bill 101 to Parliament Levesque signaled his displeasure by walking out on the presentation, but the law passed anyway.
Bill 101 was conceived as a weapon for sovereignty and remains such today, to pretend otherwise is pure fantasy. Ask any of the mayor players involved in its creation and they will freely admit it.

Unfortunately most francophones have bought into the lie that Bill 101 is only about protecting the French language, not persecuting minorities.

It is in this context we can understand why the OQLF attempts to restrict, eliminate and render minorities uncomfortable, in any way it can. It is all about sovereignty.

It still goes on today. Anglophones being told they cannot buy English products because they are in Quebec.
Thanks to Susan for the link...
I don't even know what this product is, but does it mean that you cannot order a book or a film over the Internet if there is no French version available?
I don't think that the law provides for that, but I'm sure the OQLF is creating a climate of fear, scaring manufacturers with misinformation, then claiming they had nothing to do with it.
Not only does it make no sense, it's petty and vindictive, meant purely to harass English speakers.

Now the law provides many rules and regulations for the use of French and places limits on minority languages rights, but a lot is left unsaid and so Bill 101 actually provides for the government to add definition to the law by means of regulations that the OQLF may provide from time to time.

Two of these regulations, or interpretations are quite interesting.

One concerns the name of businesses and the right to use a registered trademark on its masthead and in advertising.
Now here are the regulations directly from the OQLF website, I'm not making any of it up.

Regulation respecting the language of commerce and business

Charter of the French language
 (R.S.Q., c. C-11, ss. 54.1, 58 and 67)
25.  On public signs and posters and in commercial advertising, the following may appear exclusively in a language other than French:


  (1)    the firm name of a firm established exclusively outside Québec;


  (2)    a name of origin, the denomination of an exotic product or foreign specialty, a heraldic motto or any other non-commercial motto;


  (3)    a place name designating a place situated outside Québec or a place name in such other language as officialized by the Commission de toponymie du Québec, a family name, a given name or the name of a personality or character or a distinctive name of a cultural nature; and


  (4)    a recognized trade mark within the meaning of the Trade Marks Act (R.S.C. 1985, c. T-13), unless a French version has been registered.     OQLF LINK
 Clearly, there is no such requirement for a 'descriptive' phrase to be added to a trademark.
I have no idea by virtue of what rule or regulation the OQLF is now demanding that companies do so.
I also believe that trifling with international law vis-a-vis trademarks is a losing proposition if the OQLF decides to add a rule to provide a requirement for modifiers.
As of now, I believe none exists.

Secondly is the concern over English communication in Huntingdon.
The OQLF has said that it is illegal for the city to add English in addition to French in its communication with citizens.
As I told you on Monday, (after Hugo S. pointed it out) this goes against the OQLF's own interpretation.

Link to original OQLF web page
So it seems that municipalities do have the right to communicate with townsfolk in another language as long as French is included.
I don't think the above notice could be much clearer.

I'm not a lawyer, but these two examples seem to run completely opposite what Madame Marchand is saying in public.

Is the OQLF out of control, making things up as it goes along?

Does Madame Marchand actually know what the heck she is talking about, when she tells us that Canadian Tire must by law add a descriptive, where no law or regulation exists requiring it to do so?

Why isn't anybody calling out for clarification?



************************************************
************************************************
UPDATE!
************************************************
************************************************
Here is a story on the depanneur that was aired on CBC.  Listen here

212 comments:

  1. Worse, the OQLF is provincially sponsored. This stupidity is on TV everyday. Does the justice, language and every other minister not see this crap on a daily basis?

    Good thing the Liberals are in power and not the PQ... right... right... ???

    For any of you how think all this will be soooo much better with the CAQ... you're smoking some good stuff

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. No, Jason, nooooooooooooooooooooooo...they're smoking some very cheap stuff...it's frying their brains and making them crazy...unable to make clear, sound judgments. Like I wrote in the previous blog, you can vote for Quebec Fascist Party #1, Quebec Fascist Party @2, or the Quebec Fascist Party de jour, which these days is the CAQers, and in the past was the ADQ, the UN and a host of others. #1 and #2 have been around between about a half century and over a century. Award them #1 and #2 as you see fit.

      Delete
    2. Imaginez lorsque nous prendrons le pouvoir...Très bientôt.

      Delete
    3. P M sera P M Mar 14, 2012 06:30 AM
      Imaginez lorsque nous prendrons le pouvoir...Très bientôt.

      *Eyeroll*

      Delete
    4. Did you forrrrget,i am frrrrrom Asia

      You must say *Eggrrrrroll*

      Delete
  2. There is one AND ONLY ONE response I have for that respondent on YOU TUBE about simply wanting responses in French: MERDE DU TAUREAU!

    They bitch about poor grammar! They bitch about improper accents! In short, they bitch if you're not one of THEM and you know who "THEM" is! If they're not bitching about diction and accents, they will find something to stick in their craw, no matter how petty it is.

    What that radio personality did was ILLEGAL. It is ILLEGAL to publicly record a private conversation unless it is IMMEDIATELY disclosed the conversation is public and permission of that other person MUST, BY LAW, be obtained. I think that shopkeeper should sue the SOB who recorded him (and I simply don't have the time or inclination to go back in your article to refer to the name of the SOB; besides, there is NO shortage of these shit disturbers in Quebec anyway.

    Too, Editor, Camille Laurin is INfamous, and if Lévesque couldn't control his own cabinet, how good and how effective a leader was he anyway?

    Anyway, the English speaking community is getting EXACTLY what it deserves for not fighting with all the vim and vigor it would have had to right when the laws came out.

    As mentioned in several parts of the previous blog, my parents talked a good fight, my neighbours may have grumbled, but beyond that, they did sweet f**k-all, and I knew the writing was on the wall. From the time I made up my mind to leave Quebec, in 1974, right before my senior year in high school was about to start to my departure the very day after my convocation at Concordia U., with my late mother in tow (to help me set up my first apartment away from home in Ottawa), I stopped the car meters from the Ontario border, had my mother take the wheel to drive the car over the border so I could finally fulfill my dream of leaving godforsaken fascist Quebec into the promised land...AND IN PROMISE UNTO MYSELF, AFTER AN AGONIZING EIGHT YEAR WAIT, MY PROMISE UNTO MYSELF WAS FULFILLED AND REALIZED, AND I HAVE NEV-VER EV-VER LOOKED BACK.

    I eventually moved to Toronto, and here in my 28th year in Ontario, I have NO regrets--NOT A SINGLE SOLITARY REGRET! I wasn't even an adult when my decision was made, and the Quebec I perceived as an adolescent, sadly, hasn't proven me wrong. Quebec in all its insideousness is unfolding the way I thought it would. The only trouble is, it's still part of Canada, sucking on the Ottawa teat for all it's worth, and seemingly still getting its way. THAT I cannot tolerate, and I'm hoping from Ontario on westward, Stephen Harper will get the message Quebec, for all its disloyalties to the rest of Canada, gets its equalization payments and other prior goodies slashed until its guts are bleeding all over the streets and Quebec is more rapidly moved to third world status.

    Quebec has gotten far, far more than its fair share. Harper would be a fool not to cut Quebec at the knees. Quebec has barely ever given Harper their support. Why should he give Quebec his support?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Small clarification: I stopped the car mere meters before the Ontario border so I could WALK out of Quebec as I said I would eight years earlier. The old Bekins Moving Co. jingle stated hiring Bekins would be the smartest move you ever made. I consider my walk over the border to real freedom far, far smarter than any mover I could have hired.

      Corollery: Actually I once used this private guy who was pretty good when I moved from T.O. to Mississauga and my move to Ottawa was handled by Tippet-Richardson. They were pretty good. I wanted to use the private fellow another time, but I learned that unfortunately, he passed away.

      Delete
    2. Mr Sauga,

      I am glad to see that you have moved on and indeed never ever looked back. It would have been sad if, let's say, 28 years later, you would still be reliving and retelling these stories.

      (The careful reader will notice here a subtle touch of irony.)

      Delete
    3. You have no rrrrrright to come herrrre and tell me what to do...Pas certain.

      Delete
    4. Mississauga vient de Lennoxville et ne sait même pas que "Bullshit" en français c'est bouse de vache?En passant,y'a une vache par citoyen en Estrie.Vive le traducteur google.

      Delete
    5. M'sieur Patrice,

      the irony has failed the moment you felt the need to point it out.

      Delete
    6. For Apu & Co:

      Do we smell again spoiled poutine? is that a Labbat burp? is the BS checque arrived ( well it should be since you still have internet access )?
      Hmm...

      Delete
    7. Speaking of Labbat burp, I am starting to crave for one...

      Delete
    8. This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

      Delete
    9. Tanya,

      Of course, I did not need to point out the quite obvious irony, which I ironicaly did. I like to refer to this as third level irony.

      Delete
    10. "Of course, I did not need to point out the quite obvious irony, which I ironicaly did. I like to refer to this as third level irony."

      That makes one of us.

      Delete
    11. Sweet music to my ears, Mr. Sauga. Not that you need the confirmation by me, but you did the right thing.

      The difference between you and myself, however, is that Montreal will always be my home. And I look forward to Quebec independence and hope to be a part of its creation, constitutionally and otherwise.

      And I look forward to the demise of Canada (got that, Apparatchik, and your "Anonymous" minion? Could I be any clearer?).

      At some point you folks have to realize that Ottawa had and has the power -- from Day One! -- to eliminate Bill 101 and its predecessor, Bill 22. Indeed, it was the responsibility and obligation of the federal government to veto such legislation; it was a promise of Confederation. In fact, the country wouldn't have been created without that sacred promise.

      And when you break a promise, you break the deal that the promise was a part of.

      Canada broke the promise of Confederation to protect its provincial minorities and, as such, the deal that is Confederation must end.

      And that is why Canada must end.

      Delete
    12. Michel Patrice @5:23 - LOL! Or should I say, MDR?

      Delete
    13. Tony K., first of all, I was under the impression you're living in the USA--Texas, if I recall correctly. I read your on-line publication quite sometime ago--all of it. Too, if I recall correctly, you figured that upon Quebec's proposed separation, Montreal would somehow become a city/state, like - PRESTO! Quebec separates and Montreal is automatically a city/state.

      Why would I want to stay in Quebec? Who needs to pay their confiscatory level of taxes for a government that does sweet f**k-all for its minorities, even though they have said ad nauseum they treat their minorities better than Francophones outside Quebec? Your input into a Quebec constitution would be at best given a head nod and lip service and most likely completely ignored. It wouldn't be YOUR Quebec, it would be the «pur lainer's» Quebec, and screw you. Gee don't strain your brain on the no-brainer that Quebec isn't yours right now.

      If you want to live in that "new" Quebec that would forbid the use of English on your Corn Flakes box (and kosher matza, of course), GO FOR IT!

      The editor of No Dogs has already proven that Quebec spends the LEAST on its minorities per capita compared to each and every other jurisdiction in Canada.

      I'm not looking for the demise of Canada, just removing an ungrateful Quebec from Canada, so they can struggle with their debt just like the Greeks. I'll relish the day Quebec has zero control over its monetary policy because the IMF will be telling them how to pay their debt, and how much they'll have to cut RREGOP pension benefits to their overpaid and underworked civil service. Quebec, from its monetary and fiscal standpoint, will be told what to do, when to do it and how to do it. Independance? MY ASS!

      Delete
  3. Mr. Sauga,

    From the self-serving cowardice way that you speak, I see no value in you rhetoric. You left here and have been living in that amazing metropolis acting like the Quebecois racists disgust you, but you’re a racist too. You paint us all with the same brush because you’re intellectually lazy and/or your heart is closed.

    If living in Toronto is so fulfilling, why do you need to watch our wreck on the highway? And more importantly, how do you exact pleasure watching your fellow Canadian suffering underneath the crashed car?

    You think you've done good for yourself because you went to a place where you wouldn't have this burden, but that makes you a coward in my book. If you have the balls, try living here and still being successful like 90% of Montrealers are. You're just a provoker from an ivory tower taking potshots at your countrymen.

    Wtf are you doing on this blog anyway?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Mississauga ain't all it's cracked up to be. I have family there and have been going there since the late 70's. You need three jobs just to keep your head above water. I'll take Montreal with all her pimples and warts any day.

      Delete
    2. Anon: Three jobs? Huh? The way I see it, what we're paying in rent differentials, YOU are paying in taxes, taxes and more taxes. Should Harper see the light and realize Quebec is not worth the equalization payments they have been getting, either you'll have to cover the shortfall in extra taxes, expenditure cuts, deficit increases, or a combination of all three.

      As it is, from what I can see, rents are increasing in Quebec. Laval used to be the boonies, now Laval has become more expensive, so it's north to Rosemother, St-Eustchian Tube and BLAHnville (and boy, is it BLAH, and I've passed through-repeat-PASSED THROUGH Blahville). If it wasn't for that meddlesome Rental Bored, rents would be even higher, and they will be eventually. Anyone now who buys residential properties to rent ought to have their heads examined! ...or at least have a reserved seat at the Rental Board because that's where landlords spend half their lives. New buildings are going condo, and smartly so because who wants to deal with that bullshit?

      Old rental buildings are becoming increasingly delapidated because it's not worth the effort to fix them up. The landlords will constantly have to spend time at the Rental Board fighting to justify every expense to justify why rents are going up more than the prescribed rate of increase.

      Take your choice: Pay the government, or pay the landlord.

      Delete
    3. Anonymous writes:

      From the self-serving cowardice way that you speak...

      "Cowardice"?

      That's precious coming from someone who uses the "Anonymous" byline.

      Delete
    4. Tony K., those who address anonymously or constantly change their aliases have no gonads are are the BIGGEST cowards of all. There are no shortages of these cowards on this blog, and others.

      Delete
    5. > And I look forward to the demise of Canada (got that, Apparatchik, and your "Anonymous" minion? Could I be any clearer?).

      I don't think I could say it any better than Anonymous did:

      > You think you've done good for yourself because you went to a place where you wouldn't have this burden, but that makes you a coward in my book. If you have the balls, try living here and still being successful like 90% of Montrealers are. You're just a provoker from an ivory tower taking potshots at your countrymen.

      Wtf are you doing on this blog anyway?

      Delete
    6. This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

      Delete
  4. Does anyone think that this language rubbish is just a distraction to a bigger issue in the background? We all know Quebec's debt is spiralling out of control but, we also know that the Canadian and Quebecois home prices are in bubble territory. Shouldn't people be directing their efforts to fix those problems instead of harassing hard-working Asian shopkeeps and then crying about language injustice?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. What reality? Mustn't frighten the sheeple. Maybe if someone put it to music?
      "Fear the Boom and Bust" a Hayek vs. Keynes Rap Anthem

      DD

      Delete
    2. "....harassing hard-working Asian shopkeeps..."

      I'm Frrrrrom India,you don't inderrrrstand inglish language?

      Delete
    3. This morning I heard the show on CBC radio in my car. The shopkeeper is NIGERIAN, not Chinese. he doesnt/cant speak french. his story: he immigrated, and could never find ANY work coz he doesnt speak french. so he reluctantly started a depaneur.

      I couldn't catch the whole story, but he was interviewed by the cbc guy, he was in tears. they made his life miserable, they vandalized and smeared dog shit all in the front of his store, his daughter was scared and crying, and things like that.

      Delete
    4. Yes, it is FYI, my apologies. I'll blame it on not having my coffee yet. But India is still in Asia.

      Delete
    5. Vous avez raison l'Inde fait partie de l'Asie,Maintenant êtes-vous Canadien ou américain ?Le Canada est en amérique,non?

      Delete
    6. "Vous avez raison l'Inde fait partie de l'Asie,Maintenant êtes-vous Canadien ou américain ?Le Canada est en amérique,non?"

      ... and your point is?

      Delete
    7. Est-ce qu'un Indien est un asiatique?

      Delete
    8. Diesel : I feel bad for that immigrant.

      Tell me though, how well do Nigerians who immigrate to Toronto not knowing english fare?

      Delete
    9. "not knowing english fare?"

      Hmmmm,bonne question.

      Delete
    10. As the CONVENIENCE STORE owner stated, many Nigerians who immigrate to Quebec end up moving to Toronto after they find out what kind of racist shithole Quebec really is. At least in Toronto, immigrants don't have a government agency harassing and fining them until they learn the local language.

      Delete
    11. The fair thing is for the local population to learn english to accomodate people who choose to come live with them, of course.

      I'll believe that when the WASPS of Vancouver learn Mandarin to accomodate their unilingual chinese convenience store owners.

      Delete
    12. "I'll believe that when the WASPS of Vancouver learn Mandarin to accomodate their unilingual chinese convenience store owners."

      If the Chinese convenience store owner doesn't speak English, then the Anglo customers can shop elsewhere. Vancouver Anglos don't anonymously report so-called language violators to a government backed linguistic Gestapo (the OQLF).

      Delete
  5. Hello Editor,

    the issue with the video game not being able to be shipped to QC it's bull***t. It's, as you say, the result of the OQLF fear campaign.

    The law states:
    "Catalogues, brochures, folders, commercial directories and other such publications, must be in the official language. All software (for example, video games and operating systems) must be available in French unless no French version exists."

    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charter_of_the_French_Language

    So, it seems at the time there was no Fr version available - it didn't make it illegal to be sent in Qc.

    The blame falls also on the Future Shop's lazy legal team. Whoever wanted to buy Skyrim at the time, should have filed a complaint.

    One weapon against these bufoons from the OQLF is their own law. Know the law, people. They try to bully us, anglos and allos, and one way to fight them back it's knowing our rights.

    ReplyDelete
  6. I think maybe a good idea would be to setup shop in Glengarry right accross the border with quebec and setup a shop that sold all English only items not available in Quebec and to have them delivered or available for pickup. The quebec Government can't do nothing about it.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. "The quebec Government can't do nothing about it."

      La méthode indienne quoi?

      Delete
  7. Just listened to the audio track of the depanneur call.

    I understand this man's frustration, but if it were me, I'd hang up the minute the woman (her fake politeness is so annoying btw) asked: pourquoi tu parle pas francais? The minute it goes in that direction, you turn around and walk. Why? Because it has nothing to do with anything. It serves no purpose other than starting a fight. And it's as arbitrary as asking: why are you wearing a blue shirt?

    Second, I'm planning to stop by this depanneur and shake this man's hand. Then, I'm planning on spending some money there. In fact, I'll do my next grocery shopping there. The man deserves to make some cash.


    Editor, I'll write you an email, and if you have the exact address of this dep, please msg me back. Otherwise, I'll find it myself.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I'll do the same. Where can I find the address?
      Instead of encouraging immigrants to work and even start a new business AND NOT WAIT FOR THE BS every month, "the gov" supports OQLF to terrorize them.

      Unbelievable !

      Delete
    2. @Foggy

      http://www.canpages.ca/page/fr/QC/verdun/depanneur-de-leglise/5091101.html

      Delete
    3. Ach, this is far from the first time the government and the xenophobes have attacked immigrants who are not of that backward society's preferred ilk, i.e., French mother tongued immigrants.

      About a decade ago, I recall a national news story about a fellow from Pakistan who opened a dep only to have the government shut him down. Despite being liked by his customers, English and French alike, some fatassed francoyahoo called to OQLF stating his French was insufficient. The OQLF Guestapo ordered him to hire a French speaker or shut down. He couldn't afford to hire help, so despite making his profits one clanking coin at a time and probably putting in 100 hours a week himself, he was forced to give up his livelihood.

      Now...isn't THAT the way to build an economy? Tearing down immigrants and their livelihoods? Small wonder Quebec's debt grows by the second!

      Delete
    4. You know what OQLF,

      I bet you his business won't go down at all. Its going to go up and his clientel are non pur laine anyway. IF he stays open and does good it will really piss off the patriotes Bein etre sociale users.

      Delete
    5. Small wonder Quebec's debt grows by the second!

      Regardez-donc ceci Mister Donut:

      http://orandia.com/forum/index.php?id=26601

      Delete
    6. "I bet you his business won't go down at all."

      Nous lui souhaitons tous mais je ne voudrais pas être dans sa situation.Il aura besoin de quelques cours en marketing:

      Leçon 1. Ne jamais cracher sur sa clientèle.

      Delete
    7. Yo, cowardly anonymous contributor fixated on les beignes: OK, I looked at the portal link http://orandia.com/forum/index.php?id=26601.

      If you have a point, other than the sharp one under your official Blacque Jacque Shellacque touque, please spell it out...that is, if you can spell!

      Delete
    8. "Blacque Jacque Shellacque touque"

      "if you can spell!" ? ..... O_o

      Delete
    9. "contributor fixated on les beignes"

      La dernière fois que je suis passé à Mississauga j'ai vu des "Donut shop" à tous les coins de rue et même dans une...Banque.C'est pour quand les franchises de M.Horton dans les centres hospitaliers.(si il n'y en a pas déjà)?

      Alors?Qui a une fixation sur les Donuts ?

      Delete
    10. Tu m'as bien fais rire, Anon 11:23!

      Quand j'étais à Hamilton, mon hopital avait effectivement un Tim Hortons dans le sous-sol. J'y allais souvent car c'était bien moins cher que la caféteria. en ville, on pouvait donner des directions par le nombres de Tims Hortons vu qu'il y en avait un tout les 2-3 coins de rue. D'un Tim Hortons tu pouvais voir le prochain et le dernier. C'était marrant. Mais faut dire que c'est la ville du PREMIER Tim Hortons.

      Mon amie qui était à un hopital à Kingston en avait un aussi...

      J'ai cru que c'était dans tout le Canada, mais non mon hopital à Calgary n'en as pas. Et au Québec non plus j'imagine?

      Delete
    11. "Leçon 1. Ne jamais cracher sur sa clientèle."

      He didn't. He did spit on a subset of the clientele that deserved to be spat on, like the woman who has nothing better to do than waste a hard working man's time. That subset of the overall clientele then proclaimed themselves to be representatives of the whole clientele, which was not true.

      The way to test whether he spat on the clientele or not would have been to let the clientele decide for themselves. If the clientele indeed thought that, then he'd be out of business. The fact that his business lasted is proof that most of the clientele did not feel disrespected. And given the neighborhood, you cannot use the argument that his was the only depanneur in the neighborhood so people had no choice. In that neighborhood, there is a dep on every corner.

      The problem here is a general one whenever the SSJB gets involved - a small group declaring to be representatives of the people who don't even know that they are being "represented".

      Delete
    12. Well adski, now that the whole clientele knows what he thinks of them, they'll be able to choose for themselves soon enough.

      Delete
    13. "J'ai cru que c'était dans tout le Canada, mais non mon hopital à Calgary n'en as pas. Et au Québec non plus j'imagine?"

      Non pas de Donuts dans nos hopitaux,plus de cigarettes non plus dans nos pharmacies :)

      Delete
    14. C'est populaire le Tim Hortons au Québec? Sinon vous faites comment pour vous trouver du café de meilleure qualité qu'au Irving du coin?

      Delete
    15. "Well adski, now that the whole clientele knows what he thinks of them, they'll be able to choose for themselves soon enough."

      I'm aware that some residents of this province see these demonstrations as some sort of "informational" or "sensibilizing" pickets. To me and many others are more than that - they are intimidation events organized by a bunch of cowards.

      But yes, the clientele will decide whether to judge for themselves if the owner is "disrespectful", or to believe the crazies who decided for all of us that he is.

      In a way, the reaction of the clientele will be a testament to the decency of the people who live in that neighborhood.

      Delete
    16. "Blacque Jacque Shellacque touque"

      "if you can spell!" ? ..... O_o"

      That is exactly how the cartoon character's name is spelled in "Looney Tunes."

      He is a good representation of the average Quebecois.

      Delete
    17. Adski, nice of you to change the subject. I thought we were discussing the reccorded phone call (i.e. - what he really thinks of his clientele), but all of a sudden you bring up the demonstration!

      Also, I like how on one hand you offer free market as the only way francophones should be able to ask for french services, and on the other make a backhanded statement about how francophones are not decent people if they choose to use it.

      Delete
    18. "Looney Tunes."

      Encore une référence de la domination culturelle canadienne ?

      Delete
    19. I feel you people change the subject, when the sleazebag demonstrators are mentioned, you switch to talking about the phone call. As if the demonstration was at all proportional to the phone call.

      The phone call was a set-up to bait the guy into a audio-taped reaction. Then as if that wasn't bad enough, the SSJB twits showed up to intimidate him.

      Delete
    20. @ Calgary Anonymous at 12:24 PM,

      Tim Hortons food is too healthy for Quebec hospitals.

      Acadian French is even more vulgar and repellent than Quebec Joual. You should move back to New Brunswick; Alberta doesn't need scumbags like you.

      Delete
    21. @Anonymous 4:25

      It's interesting, because international francophones (from various parts of Africa) tell me that they have a much easier time understanding me than the french of Quebec, or the french of France for that matter. That my accent is much less pronounced than either of the above.

      But don't mind that, you've already made up your mind to be racist about people based on their accent. Are you similarily racist against texans, or is it only francophones? You're quite a piece of work, aren't you.

      Delete
    22. "Also, I like how on one hand you offer free market as the only way francophones should be able to ask for french services,"

      Ask? You call that protest "asking" for french services? I have to say I like your euphemisms.
      If I need to ask for something, I ... ask for something. I don't being a mob with me, stage an event, and smear crap all over the place.


      "international francophones (from various parts of Africa) tell me that they have a much easier time understanding me than the french of Quebec"

      True story, a guy I know who's from Congo had a roommate from northern Quebec when he first arrived in Montreal. He said he couldn't understand the guy at all, so the two had no choice but to communicate in English for the first couple of months until the Congolese guy got used to the Quebec accent.
      The Congolese guy later ended up moving to Ontario. I asked him why before he left, since he was technically a francophone so I thought Quebec was the place to be for him. He said the fact that French was his first language did not matter in Quebec. Other "factors" or "qualities" made him feel excluded from this society.

      Delete
    23. "Other "factors" or "qualities" made him feel excluded from this society."

      Ho boy!Bonne chance chez les canadiens!

      Delete
    24. This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

      Delete
    25. "J'ai cru que c'était dans tout le Canada, mais non mon hopital à Calgary n'en as pas. Et au Québec non plus j'imagine?"

      Effectivement les paysans-fermiers sont de grands consommateurs de beignets.

      Delete
    26. @Anon 6:28

      I was talking generally, I in no way support the phonecall/protest. I think both are shit-disturbing, calleous acts.

      But adski seems to say that francophones have only their wallet to convince stores to give french services, but that if they do so it speaks of their decency. So how do people get what they want then?

      Delete
    27. @ (Calgary) Anonymous at 5:52 PM,

      "But don't mind that, you've already made up your mind to be racist about people based on their accent. Are you similarily racist against texans, or is it only francophones?"

      I have no problem whatsoever with Texans or Americans in general. They haven't done anything to me. I like them a great deal more than Francophones in Canada, who are doing everything they can to eliminate English in Quebec and impose French across the rest of the country. The Quebecois are responsible for stripping away some of my rights as a Canadian living within my own country, and I despise them for it.

      The people with the strongest English accent I have encountered are Newfoundlanders, and they're great folks.

      I hope that you are just sweeping the floors at your hospital in Calgary. The patients there wouldn't want to be treated by you if they knew how you felt about them.

      Delete
    28. "The Quebecois are responsible for stripping away some of my rights as a Canadian living within my own country"

      Your country?Vraiment?

      En tant que citoyens,nous n'avons pas que des droits,nous avons aussi des devoirs et des obligations.

      Delete
    29. This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

      Delete
  8. "The man deserves to make some cash."

    Avec une telle publicité,je crois qu'il en aura besoin.Cependant dépêchez-vous car les dépanneurs ouvrent et ferment boutique à la vitesse grand V :D

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You again...no more potatoes for your poutine at your "franco-pur-laine" dep?

      Delete
    2. "franco-pur-laine"

      C'est Pure-laine et ce n'est pas les patates que nous achetons dans les dépanneurs mais du fromage en crottes.Très payant pour les proprios de commerces de coin de rue.

      Delete
    3. Cheese with beer? That's an awkward combination, n'est-ce pas?

      Delete
    4. What about deep-fried candy bars?

      Vive les américains!

      Delete
    5. Oi!!! They'rs Scottish!

      http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deep-fried_Mars_bar

      Delete
    6. La pizza est d'origine italienne...Combien de pizza hut aux É.U ?

      Delete
    7. "Cheese with beer? That's an awkward combination, n'est-ce pas?"

      ...plus cigarettes and Pepsi.

      Delete
  9. Replies
    1. They are all patriotic about Mediocre Land, a Land they seek to "build"....

      Delete
    2. Speaking of Jeunes Partiotes.

      The co-spokesperson or whatever of that group is one individual called Jean Philippe Décarie-Mathieu. A quick search comes back with the first result Jean Philippe Décarie-Mathieu on LinkedIn. His info is in En (http://www.linkedin.com/in/jpdm1). His website has on its only page a quote in En. Such a hypocrite!

      Delete
  10. "Is the OQLF out of control, making things up as it goes along?

    Does Madame Marchand actually know what the heck she is talking about, when she tells us that Canadian Tire must by law add a descriptive, where no law or regulation exists requiring it to do so?

    Why isn't anybody calling out for clarification?"

    They are abusing their powers. that's all.

    ReplyDelete
  11. Gift from your affectionate reader, WestyAllo.

    http://www.antagoniste.net/2010/09/13/arguing-with-idiots-benoit-dutrizac/

    Enjoy and open your eyes!!!!

    WA

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. This comment has been removed by the author.

      Delete
    2. How truth hurts all the times...

      Delete
    3. Yo, Damien, what's the problem? Jealousy? Can't handle the truth? Come to Mississauga and I'll buy you a stale donut. Better still, send me your address and I'll mail you one. Mention your fave flavour! [Place boistrous laughter here!]

      Delete
  12. The call was quite amusing. The man obviously was having an off day.

    On eh JP....have a look....what else would one expect. Question, how is it they have the time to take off work and put on the demonstration in front of the store. Might lead one to to believe the allegations of drinking beer, cigarettes and welfare.

    I note one poster indicated that the man is in fact Nigerian and not Asian. The accent on the phone call would lead one to believe this to be true. Smearing dog droppings on the front of his store. What a classy bunch, should this be the case.

    Can anyone confirm?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous writes:

      The man obviously was having an off day.

      Huh? Not to me. The man sounds quite rational.

      Indeed, I would say the complete opposite: had he responded in a way that was less forthcoming and less angry, that would have indicated he was having an off day.

      Delete
  13. I can hardly believe this.

    The dépanneur owner is obviously a racist motherfucker, but Editor prefers to paint him as a poor, ostracized, persecuted, chinese (sic) immigrant.

    You trully are desperate for allies, cheering the Huntingdon attention whore and racist shop owners that claim that the only thing quebeckers can do is sit on their asses, drinking beer and collecting welfare. I know this kind of speech is popular and readily embraced in the restricted circle of your lectorate, but it's still racist bullshit, and it won't further your cause. On the contrary, it'll marginalize it, leaving you bitter and excluded. Oops, I forgot: that's already the case. I wonder how it got to that point ?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Damien,mon ami,merci pour ton support.

      Delete
    2. Racist or not, you don't know the whole background so don't judge. It's easy to call somebody a racist especially these days.
      Is it racist to call them visible minorities? Yes. Is it racist to call them asians? Yes. So you see...

      His remarks were inappropriate. If you believe this things about les quebecois, just keep them for yourself don't shot yourself in the leg.

      And for God's sake, let's be honest : for each quebecois who's working, there are 3 that don't. Just go in Verdun at 10 AM and you'll see ...

      Delete
    3. This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

      Delete
    4. "...for each quebecois who's working, there are 3 that don't."

      Est-ce le seul argument-clé que vous avez trouvé pour angliciser le Québec?

      Delete
    5. YOU my friend ARE PARANOID !
      What this have to do with anything? So now the owner has the guilt of trying to anglicize Quebec?????????????????????

      MUST YOU ALWAYS BE VICTIMS?

      Please reply and tell me this is a joke.

      Delete
    6. Sorry,this is not a joke.The language issue here in Quebec is a serious one.

      Delete
    7. Attention le faux Mario Beaulieu.Pour l'instant c'est de la merde mais souhaitons que celle-ci ne se tranforme pas en briques ou autre projectiles plus dévastateurs.

      Delete
    8. What is the specific reason for which the post has been removed? Is it the content, or the signature?

      Delete
    9. La stupidité,la provocation et l'emprunt d'identité.

      Delete
    10. Damien, don't you know it's OK to think like a moron rather than open your mouth and prove it. So...what flavour donut did you say it was you prefer? Lots of stale ones in the dumpster to mail you. [Place even more boistrous laughter than above here!]

      Delete
    11. To Bario Meaulieu

      Posting under a stolen identity is not allowed.
      It may seem funny to you, but it is not.

      Delete
    12. Under "stolen identity"? Please.

      Delete
    13. Damien, since my previous post was removed for having "stolen" the identity of one very private citizen, let me reiterate what I had written.

      I essentially encouraged you to mail a sample of your stool to SSJB, so it can be used for smearing the property of the "insubordinates" and "troublemakers" like the Nigerian depanneur owner. Since this is the type of activity the "militants" seem to pursue lately.

      Delete
    14. Wouldn't this be incitation to commit a criminal act? Maybe the identity issue is the least of your worries.

      Delete
    15. I'm glad that you agree that the smearing of the depanneur with feces was a criminal act.

      Let's summarize then - the act incited by the SSJB carried out by one of their stooges was a criminal act.

      Thanks Anonymous.

      Delete
    16. Damien writes:

      ...attention whore and racist shop owners that claim that the only thing quebeckers can do is sit on their asses, drinking beer and collecting welfare

      Was he claiming that all Quebecers sit on their asses, drink beer and collect welfare? Or just the kind of person that has the time to call hard-working depanneur owners to harass them over perceived slights to a law that is, to its core, racist and hateful?

      Delete
  14. "Might lead one to to believe the allegations of drinking beer, cigarettes and welfare."

    Ce propriétaire de dépanneur vivrait avec quoi si il ne vendait pas de cigarettes,de bière et de chips pour sa clientèle de...BS ?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. There are plenty of deps in Verdun...if you are so effin upset if you are not served in french, go somewhere else. Wtf?

      Delete
    2. Absolutely. But the guy had the nerve to say that "you don't pay me, I pay rent, I pay taxes" and that kind of bullshit. He was spitting on the very people that pay his money: clients, the majority of which are francophones.

      Now he complains that business is slowing down. Then, just watch, if the business closes down, he'll blame it on the "racism of the french Québec society", not on the fact that he can't serve his clients properly, i.e. in their language.

      Delete
    3. And how is that any of your business? Do you want to be served in French? Shop elsewhere! His business is slowing down? His bloody problem! How about some good old fashioned minding one's own business and not meddling in other people's lives?

      Delete
    4. I can't verify if what the shopkeeper said is the truth, but the way I see it, people who file these complaints to the OQLF have too much time on their hands, and are probably beer swilling, cigarette puffing welfare bums who are sour on life and need scapegoat upon whom to take out their bitter frustrations.

      The way I see it, if you're able-bodied and able-minded to work, but are on welfare, I'd say your about 50-50 in choosing to be on welfare. No doubt there is a shortage of jobs for times are tough and it'll take time for the economy to improve.

      On the flip side, there are all those intrusive labour laws in Quebec that give large multinational businesses the propensity to leave Quebec where there aren't the endless union grievances, no anti-scab-labour laws, and no stupid -repeat- STUPID language laws to have to put up resistance.

      Wal*mart to the people of Jonquière: "Oh, so you want to unionize OUR store? Well, fuck you! We'll close the store, set up about 20 miles away and your town won't anymore have those much needed jobs! TAKE THAT, Jonquière!"

      The Shell refinery told that to Point-aux-Tremble, and Electrolux told that to l'Assomption. Face it Quebec: THEY own the enterprises; THEY make the rules; THEY giveth those jobs unto you and THEY can taketh them away. GET USED TO IT! ...or suffer the consequences and watch your unemployment rate go steadily up while the well-paying jobs go steadily away for better grounds with less resistance.

      Delete
    5. "How about some good old fashioned minding one's own business and not meddling in other people's lives?"

      Voilà pourquoi il devra fermer boutique et peut-être même quitter notre Nation.

      Delete
  15. Les clients n'ont plus raison?Bizarre,j'ai toujours cru en cette règle que nous devions respecter les besoins de sa cientèle.Il est bien question de Verdun ici?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. The customer is always right once they've paid. Before that moment they are just strangers. Don't confuse good business sense with the law!

      Delete
    2. So are you saying that he deserves what he got? That being publically ridiculed, being the target of protestors and having feces smeared on his business is justified? It seems to me that you are defending these actions. If you are then you really have something to be proud of don't you? Be proud of yourself OQLF. Very classy!

      And yes, it is Verdun. We all know what that town is known for, it's no secret. It's too bad that this hard-working immigrant picked one of the worst BS communities in which to set up shop. What do they (the BS-ers) know about hard work and ethics? They do know a thing or two about smearing shit though. Again, something to be proud of!

      Delete
    3. "We all know what that town is known for, it's no secret"

      Et il y installe son commerce et crache sur sa clientèle?...Very classy!

      Delete
    4. "Et il y installe son commerce et crache sur sa clientèle?...Very classy!"

      Obviously he did not know what he was getting into, thinking that someone could come to this province, work hard and make a living for themselves. Unfortunately, he now knows what Québec is really about, bullies and intimidators, backed-up by the government. And losers like you who think it`s just fine to bully anyone who doesn`t fit into their utopic vision of the Québec Aryan Master race.

      Delete
    5. "...And losers like you"

      Wo ma p'tite madame!Est-ce qu'on se connait?Ça fait 14 ans qu'il vit ici,pas au courant que le français est la langue officielle de communication?Après 3 commerces foutus en l'air pour les mêmes raison?J'espère seulement qu'on va lui coller les 6,000.00 $ de contravention et c'est lui qui sera le grand "loser" de toute cette histoire.

      Delete
    6. If the shop owner will get the fine, I hope he will pay it in cash. All 6000 in pennies. If needed, I am sure people can help him out to raise those 6000 in pennies.

      Delete
    7. I do not know you and I don’t want to either. Are you really defending the actions of putting feces on someone’s property to make a point, to get what you want, or to get “respect”? This is the definition of a bully, an intimidator and a LOSER! Obviously you think it’s acceptable to treat someone this way when he does not conform to your expectations, you have not stated otherwise, you have defended the people who have committed this crime. The point I was making was not whether he should learn French or not. Someone (bully) like you would not be happy with whatever French he could learn anyway, and probably mock his accent (like the other loser Dutrisac who doesn't like the way some politicians speak French).

      Delete
    8. Absolutely. Bullies and malcontents are two things these people will be no matter what.

      No matter what you do or not do, these people won't be happy.

      My advise: never give in to them, and do not speak French if you feel you're being bullied into it. Speak only when you want it, or have no choice (like a job interview or something).

      Delete
    9. @Laurie

      Vous avez raison sur la méthode utilisée sauf que je ne crois pas que la merde de chien représente un crime car la majorité des parcs publiques du Québec seraient infestés de criminels (propriétaires de chien).Pour ce qui est de son accent je crois que la plupart des Québécois l'auront détecté
      à 100 km,même en globish.Si vous croyez que d'inciter les immigrants à imposer l'anglais dans leurs commerces aura des conséquences positives sur le climat linguistique ambiant au Québec,vous faites fausse route,je crois même que vous êtes dans le champs.Attendons la suite...

      Delete
    10. Es-tu sérieux? Veux-tu ben m’dire où j’ai inciter les immigrants à imposer l’anglais? Never once did I say ANY SUCH THING, not even close. You read what you want to read NOT what I wrote. This is the way it is with harassers like you. Man, it is like talking to an 8 year old schoolyard bully.

      Nothing will help with the linguistic climate in this province until it is understood that it is not by oppressing and pursuing others that you help your cause.

      By the way, I do believe that you can get fined for leaving dog poop in the park. I am no legal expert but I can presume that taking excrement and rubbing it on someone else’s property is most likely a crime. Again, that act is obviously okay with you – that was the whole point of my posts.

      And yes, we would all detect his accent, but that would be okay with you right?...YA RIGHT!

      Delete
  16. @damien,

    The store owner probably shouldn't have said what he did. On the other hand do you know whether there were previous harassing calls? Also I hope he sues the radio show for recording him without his permission.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. So do I! I hope this case, should one ever come to fruition, is tried in a federal court, but if it's before a French-speaking Quebec judge (and it most likely will be), I don't hold much hope for the deptrepreneur. I can't help but think cases like this happen every day in Quebec, but only so many get reported publicly.

      On a slightly different topic, I sent several American network stations, TV and radio, in the Philadelphia area that seems to serve the Commonwealth of Delaware a copy of the story involving the child who had to go to Delaware for the English language education Quebec steadfastly refused to give him despite Bill 101's making provisions for those with severe learning challenges (Section 81) and also making provisions on humanitarian gounds (Section 85.1).

      It saddens me to no end the Americans don't see this as newsworthy because you can be sure there will be the Hispanic community getting bolder if they're not challenged soon, and also because the Delaware taxpayer will have to cover a child's public education that should clearly be Quebec's responsibility.

      Delete
    2. "It saddens me to no end the Americans don't see this as newsworthy because you can be sure there will be the Hispanic community getting bolder if they're not challenged soon, and also because the Delaware taxpayer will have to cover a child's public education that should clearly be Quebec's responsibility."

      I assume in a slow-news day they might take a swing at it. If they didn't do anything now it does not mean that they might not follow up on it later.

      Delete
    3. Si vous voulez mon opinion,les américains ont des problèmes plus urgent Miss Sauga.Et ne sont surtout pas en situation de régler ceux des voisins.De plus,le cas que vous dénoncez n'en est même pas un.

      Delete
    4. "I assume in a slow-news day they might take a swing at it. If they didn't do anything now it does not mean that they might not follow up on it later"

      Vous avez besoin des amerlocs pour régler vos problèmes?Je croyais que vous dépendiez d'eux culturellement seulement.

      Delete
    5. M. Saugua - maybe they can also show a piece about how Hispanic immigrants in California must send their children to Mexico to receive public education in Spanish.

      Delete
  17. OK, so what's gonna happen when Quebec finally DOES separate...? Will the militant minority simply drive all the Anglos out of the new country and then live in peace? Not likely. They'll probably still be as unhappy as ever. My guess is that they'll keep complaining about the state of the French language as an excuse to have other countries pay more attention to them (in French), to have the other countries invest in their economy and frequently do business with them for imports/exports (in French) and (futively) try to revert the international working language back to French or something like that. Of course, it won't work, since the new Quebec will be one of the least powerful countries in the Americas, but I bet they'll keep whining and think that they'll get more powerful by whining.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It depends on how many of the 6 million remaining Quebeckers can live off the Hydro and how many tourists does Quebec City needs to make up the difference... provided they get served in English, that is!

      Delete
    2. They'll either insist on serving tourists in French and pretend that it's part of Quebec's "unique flavour", or have some lengthy bill (maybe an extension of 101) regulating how English can only be used for tourists, covering as many situations as possible down to the tiniest detail.

      Delete
    3. Mike vous a-t-on déjà expliqué que tourisme est synonyme de dépaysement et que si vous ne voulez pas être perturbé dans vos petites habitudes de banlieusard,vous n'avez qu'à demeurer chez-vous?
      C'est dailleurs l'aspect francophone du Québec qui attire les touristes.

      Delete
    4. True enough, especially when they don't understand what you're saying. When they finally do, they won't come back!

      Delete
  18. Editor,

    Thank you for such an excellent analysis of the development of Bill 101 (originally called "Bill 1") during the times of Levesque and Laurin. I particularly liked this passage:

    Laurin told Levesque that it was part of the strategy, to create a law that would be attacked by the Anglos.
    Those court challenges which would ultimately succeed, would engender a sense of rage among francophones, feeding the fire of sovereignty.
    The strategy worked magnificently, over the years, some 70 clauses have been repealed, rejected or rewritten, representing about one-third of the law.


    But it is frustrating to read as well. You write:

    Today it is an integral part of the sovereigntists narrative that the evil Supreme Court has taken an axe to the law in revenge against Franco-Quebecer nationalism.

    Frustrating because, if anything, the Court has skewered its judgements through the years heavily in favour of Bill 101 and done all it could to diminish individual and anglo rights in Quebec. The Supreme Court of Canada has continually done what it is not supposed to do: make judgments based upon political expediency and political correctness instead of following the rule of law. So you are completely right on when you write "In that respect Mr. Laurin is to be congratulated for his grand deception, a marvel of cynical manipulation."

    But I found the following line the most important of the piece:

    Unfortunately most francophones have bought into the lie that Bill 101 is only about protecting the French language, not persecuting minorities.

    After over 30 years of fighting Bill 101, about two years ago, I resolved to refer to Bill 101 as "the hate law/race law Bill 101" and not feel sorry about doing it. Why? Because a hate law and race law is precisely what I believe it to be. And, if asked, I can back it up why I call it that. And, well, enough is enough. Your line, above, confirms to me that I am doing the right thing.

    ReplyDelete
  19. Update on S. Gendron.

    http://www.montrealgazette.com/life/Essay+Outsmarting+Quebec+language/6296237/story.html

    It's actually sad.

    ReplyDelete
  20. The Depanneur Shopkeeper, I've just learned from reading one of the posts above, is Nigerian.

    What struck me is this: the guy's from thousands of miles away from a culture and race that couldn't be different from ours and yet the way he responded to the caller was exactly and precisely the same way I would have handled it had I been the one working in that depanneur, using the exact same phrasing, words, and inflections of anger I would have used.

    If freedom isn't a universal quality, I don't know what is...and the phone call illustrated this in a way that couldn't be improved upon by any legalese in any charter of rights or legal text book.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. "If freedom isn't a universal quality, I don't know what is..."

      Non,on appelle ça du brainwashing anglo canayen,plus précisément de l'Ouest de Montréal.

      Delete
    2. Today it is an integral part of the sovereigntists narrative that the evil Supreme Court has taken an axe to the law in revenge against Franco-Quebecer nationalism.

      Unfortunately most francophones have bought into the lie that Bill 101 is only about protecting the French language, not persecuting minorities.


      BRAINWASHING - If you are going to use English words, use them correctly. You ARE part of the most brainwashed bunch of bozos in Quebec's history - Quebecois nationalists.

      Read "Animal Farm" by Orwell, the part about all the animals being equal but some more equal than others ought to give you a clue what a sick little society you're creating.

      Brainwashing (ethnic nationalism) has set this province back decades.

      DD

      DD

      Delete
  21. This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

    ReplyDelete
  22. Reader;
    I hope you've had a chance to listen to the CBC Daybreak story.
    I must say, to my ear, they weren't very sympathetic.
    I particularly didn't like the 'French Test' that was administered.

    At any rate, Mr. Dutrizac should be proud of creating his very own 'Kristallnacht.' He is busy outing other non-French speaking depanneurs. What fun!!!
    Convenience store owners across North America share one thing.
    They are new to the country and may speak the local language poorly and they and their families are willing to work harder than any local.
    Whether they are Koreans in LA or the Spanish or Haitians in NYC.
    Its a shitty job that only the desperate take.

    Beating up on them for whatever reason is sad.
    It's always easy to shit on the vulnerable. Not cool.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I agree Editor, even if you and I don't agree on most things. Victimizing the immigrants is not cool.

      Delete
    2. Editor: “I hope you've had a chance to listen to the CBC Daybreak story. I must say, to my ear, they weren't very sympathetic. I particularly didn't like the 'French Test' that was administered.”

      Totally. What I find most pathetic about this coverage is the “test”, but especially the fact that the tester (Sean) speaks crappy French HIMSELF. Check it out at about 7 minutes into the clip. He manages to mumble out a couple of questions, which Mr. Williams answers in French not less clear than that of Sean.

      Then, the two Anglo presenters get into a discussion about Mr.Williams’s French being “below expectation”. Excuse me, but your French isn’t that much better, clowns.

      Then the question: why did you decide to run a business in QC if “the law obliges francophones to get service in French”? Nothing was said about the absurdity of this interpretation of the law, which would essentially make ILLEGAL any business operated by someone like Mr. Williams. Nothing was said about the absurdity of this whole situation, about the disproportionality of the protest to what had actually happened, about the sneaky caller, no discussion of a larger sociopolitical context that motivates these kinds of “rallies” or the organization behind it all. There is such a wide range of topics that this story triggered that it boggles the mind that they weren’t touched upon.

      This “report” is exactly the reason why I put an X on Montreal’s Anglo community a long time ago.

      Delete
    3. The CBC's balls shriveled up decades ago when hard news types gave way to the liberal "we understand Quebec Seperatism" types. Remember the hatchet job they did on Hugo last year that they later took down?

      Delete
    4. Yes, but unfortunately understanding separatist types goes beyond tolerating the political project of separation and extends to tolerating a certain type of behavior.

      I don't care if you want to create two countries out of one, but I do care when you bully and intimidate a shopkeeper. Once acts of intimidation occur, they should be condemned along with the people and organizations behind them. What you don't do is administer "tests" to the victim or lean towards agreeing with the bullies (as when asking why he chooses to operate in QC, as if his running a business here is an anomaly that deserves the kind of treatment it got).

      Delete
  23. "It's always easy to shit on the vulnerable. Not cool"

    Éditeur:Les personnes qui vivent l'aide sociale sont aussi des individus vulnérables.De plus,cette famille de Nigériens ne sont pas de nouveaux arrivants,si j'ai bien compris,ils sont arrivés en 98...14 ans au Canada et pas un seul mot de français?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Actually, if you listen to the CBC story, he does understand and speak some French.
      When you work 16 hours a day it isn't easy to take time for French lessons.
      He knows how to respond to question related to the products he sells and recites the prices in French.

      His daughter had the shit scared out of her by demonstrators flinging feces at his door.
      Maybe he was wrong about what he said, but I ask you honestly as a moral person.
      Is this right. I cannot believe you think so.
      You can come on this blog or elsewhere and make reasonable complaints, that is fair and just and I'll defend your right to do so.

      I object only to the violence and intimidation, which is out of line.
      I hope you agree.

      Delete
    2. J'avoue qu'ils ont agi un peu trop brutalement et que la méthode est très discutable.

      Delete
    3. Je crois qu'ils ont agis beaucoup trop brutalement. On veut les acceuillir et les intégrer, nos immigrants, ou on veut les intimider par le nombre et la violence?

      Delete
    4. I went out of my way today and stopped in his store for a bag of chips and a drink. He looked like a beaten down man. This isn't the Quebec I know. One that intimidates and bullies small shop owners. It's shameful.

      Delete
    5. Next time I'm in Verdun I am going to stop at his store and offer my support. He really should sue the a*&holes who taped him without his permission.

      Delete
    6. "He really should sue the a*&holes who taped him without his permission"

      Ha!Les nouvelles lois canayennes...

      Delete
  24. Just another note to other readers that it is the same jerk posting as Seppie, OQLF, P M sera P M, Apu likes globish, and Anonymous (sometimes).

    He posted junk comments at: 6:01 AM, 6:04 AM, 6:14 AM, 6:19 AM, 6:30 AM, 6:35 AM, 6:40 AM, 7:07 AM, 7:53 AM, 8:01 AM, 8:11 AM, 8:16 AM, 8:19 AM, 8:30 AM, 8:44 AM, 8:55 AM, 9:35 AM, 9:38 AM, 9:48 AM, 9:55 AM, 11:05 AM, 11:23 AM, 11:32 AM, 11:40 AM, 12:12 PM, 12:19 PM, 12:54 PM, 12:49 PM, 1:18 PM, 1:24 PM, 1:59 PM, 2:50 PM, and more.

    He can't possibly be working. He must be one of the welfare bums the Nigerian depanneur owner referred to. Besides surfing the net, he probably spends most of his day smoking cigarettes, drinking Laurentide beer and Pepsi, and eating May West cakes and poutine like most good Quebecois.

    ReplyDelete
  25. "probably spends most of his day..."

    À vérifier les adresses IP des intervenants de ce blogue ?Pauvre abruti!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. @ Seppie,

      Naw. Your idiotic comments are easily distinguishable. It only took me about ten minutes to identify and list them.

      Delete
    2. Vous faites évidemment allusion à mon style littéraire percutant.

      Delete
    3. "[...] littéraire percutant"

      Seppie, I believe you misspelled "puéril".

      Delete
  26. My Impoverished Scottish Grandma Was a RhodesianWednesday, March 14, 2012 at 7:24:00 PM EDT

    Can some of the defenders of the right to be served in French explain to me why the OQLF exists? What I mean by that is, if such a mechanism is in place why would people feel the need to demonstrate outside this man's shop? Isn't there a proper system in place for dealing with alleged infractions? oh, but these fine young men were just exercising their democratic right to assemble? I get it. It wasn't meant as intimidation. Neither was Gilles Proulx' assertion that had this happened anywhere else the man would have a molotov cocktail thrown through his window...

    Look language defenders, if you want to behave like a civilised society and enact laws that provide people with the legal mechanism to deal with offenders, then do that. If the threat is so great that no legal means is possible, then maybe you have no choice but to resort to intimidation. What you can't do is take complete control of your society, enact laws that specifically target minorities, lie about the threat that minority poses to keep the public on your side AND use your uninhibited access to all your societies media sources to both promote those who use intimidation and to have overtly threatening statements like Proulx' be seen and heard without being questioned. at least not if you want to be taken seriously by anyone with even the slightest sense of objectivity.

    ReplyDelete
  27. I understood that "mom and pop" type stores were exempt from Bill 101 and heavy handed expectations of being French speaking, that a small store operated by its owner or by one or two other persons is not required to speak French - yet I hear that francophones have a right to request services in French. So which is it? Can mom and pop type stores or other businesses operate if they do not speak French. Please note I am not discussing signage here. Is French an absolute requirement in Quebec when serving behind a counter in any store in Quebec, because if it is, this it is news to me, and it means that mom and pop type stores operated by non-Quebecois who are not very able in French are completely illegal.

    If it is not, then frankly it appears that the radio station and all other protesters involved in this deppanneur story are all guilty of extremely nasty harrassment and it is they, not the shopkeeper, who should be prosecuted by the appropriate authorities.

    ReplyDelete
  28. You know, it would have been so easy for this African Dep owner to just sit back and collect welfare like so many "Bill 101 friendly" immigrants Quebec lets in every year. But no, he decided to take a stab at starting a business here in Quebec and to actually contribute back to society. This is the thanks he gets, shit smeared on his business and asshole DJ's harassing him. Nope, its not right. Quebec is better than that.

    ReplyDelete
  29. You know, it would have been so easy for this African Dep owner to just...Learn French.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. My Impoverished Scottish Grandma Was a RhodesianWednesday, March 14, 2012 at 10:21:00 PM EDT

      I'm curious, what if he knew french but made the same comments he made while being secretly recorded? Do you think the reaction would have been different? Cause his comments were offensive? Why is nobody smearing shit on Gilles Proulx' house?

      Delete
    2. You know, I have a great little convenience store just down the street run by a Chinese family. The matriarch is often on the till during the day and has been for the last twenty years. She doesn't speak a word of English.
      Is this a problem? Of course not, you put your goods on the counter, she rings it up, you give your loose change to her grand kids and say a cheery goodbye. No complaints, no pickets, no intimidation.
      Why is this not possible in quebec?

      Delete
    3. You know what would be easier then learning French. Partitioning Quebec and telling the seppie chauvanists to pay for their BS themeselves.

      Delete
    4. Peut-être parce que notre langue n'est pas celle du reste de l'amérique,soit environ 350 000 000 d'utilisateurs mais à peine 6 mllions,une idée comme ça en passant.

      Delete
    5. Afin d'éviter toute confusion:

      Why is this not possible in quebec?

      Peut-être parce que notre langue n'est pas celle du reste de l'amérique,soit environ 350 000 000 d'utilisateurs mais à peine 6 mllions,une idée comme ça en passant.

      Delete
    6. "...the seppie chauvanists to pay for their BS themeselves."

      Le programme d'aide sociale est provincial...Mister.

      Delete
    7. And the provincial government of Quebec receives over 8 billion in transfer payments from the federal government every year. In effect, people in the rest of Canada are paying for welfare in Quebec.

      Delete
    8. And Quebec sends over 45 billions in federal taxes to Ottawa every year, on top of the 80 billions they raise for themselves. The 8 billions it receives from federal taxation is responsible for all of the welfare/daycare/everything you don't like in Quebec, huh?

      Delete
  30. I'm curious, can any of you language nazis tell me how this guy not speaking french affects you in any way? Any way at all.

    Are you forced to shop at that particular dépanneur?
    Is there a lack of other dépanneurs in that area, forcing you to go there?

    Are you simply mad that he's not integrated into this province? Perhaps I'm wrong, but my guess is that his kids speak french perfectly...

    I really think some people have way too much free time and resources, if they're able to go out of their way to find tiny issues like this which don't really affect anyone negatively. We're talking about one man here, and one convenience store...

    If you want my opinion, and I've said it before, I think it's important for people that people who deal with the public in this province be able to communicate in the language of the majority, which is french. This guy doesn't, and that's his problem. The people who want to be served in french can simply take their business elsewhere, depriving him of an important source of revenue. Has everyone forgotten this simple fact?

    I just don't understand, perhaps one of you seppies can explain it to me, because as it stands I don't see how this man not speaking french affects anyone besides him, so I'm just seeing the typical racism and xenophobia that my province is famous for...

    Pathetic.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. "We're talking about one man here, and one convenience store..."

      C'est quand la dernière fois que vous avez mis les pieds à Montréal M.Le Trifluvien ?

      Delete
    2. I'm from Montreal originally, I lived there more than half my life.

      Also, I was just there earlier today, I've been working on a project in the Montreal region since the beginning of the year.
      And surprisingly, no matter where I go, I'm served in french first (even if the person has an accent).

      Does that answer your question?

      If so, perhaps you can answer mine and tell me how this one dépanneur owner not being able to speak french affects you personally.

      Delete
    3. "And surprisingly, no matter where I go, I'm served in french first (even if the person has an accent)."

      La preuve que nos revendications portent fruits.Il ne reste plus que vous à convaincre...

      Delete
    4. "...speak french affects you personally."

      Personnellement,aucun problème.C'est collectivement que nous risquons d'en avoir.

      Delete
  31. Just the way I see it,

    Nigerian owner of a store trying to make a living......and paying taxes on his profits...to the province of Quebec.

    Then we have the Jeunes Patriotes...who seem to have a lot of idle time on their hands to mount a demonstration demanding the guy speak french, which he attempts, althouth not fluent. One has to ask the question if any of the JP pay any taxes Likely not, as they have time to put on the demonsaison why others actually work.

    So in the end, this guy is providing a service, paying his rent bill and taxes to the federal and
    Quebec government who support the welfare for members of the JP (Quite obvious they don't have jobs)

    So analytically, the poor guy is subsidizing the guys who smear dog excriment on the front door of his business.


    Seulement en Quebec.

    Maybe the JP should try and operate their own depanneurs. Not likely as it would involve some real work which the Quebecois seem to have an allergy, as is clearly evidenced by this issue.


    As for the radio show and their imperative of Questioning the man in French only...Just looking to boost their ratings (Montreal is a measured market)..Sad.

    The whole call and transcript should be brought up to the CRTC for harboring hatred, which it was, and have their broadcasing licence revoked as I am sure the manager of the store (sorry depanneur) was totally unaware of the recording. BTW...if you don't I will.

    The idiot Dutrizac or whatever his name is "sur le ondes de 98.5" an asshole.

    Of course, this is just the way it is, au Quebec.

    Pathetic that someone of considerble influence would chastise a person trying to make an honest living.

    Mais apre tout, c'est Quebec. Sorry f'ks you all seem to be.

    Just my perspective.

    ReplyDelete
  32. Editor.

    You want to bring this to the Canadian Broadcast Standards review and see how it goes when they air a recording which one party is not aware of a recording taking place. Think copyright protection. Could be fun to watch 98.5 take a bath...I got 5k to help the cause. Send me an email.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. "Think copyright protection. Could be fun to watch 98.5 take a bath"

      That's a great idea. I suspect that more than a few people would be willing to contribute funds to support a review/lawsuit.

      Delete
    2. Priase the lawd for PQ. I can sleep at night knowing that there will be someone protecting my lawd-given right of eating or not Halal and Kosher food. Phew!

      Delete
    3. *Praise* the lawd, and this comment was directed towards Anonymous Mar 15, 2012 06:19 AM

      Delete
  33. "I got 5k to help the cause"

    Payez la contravention du Nigérien.

    ReplyDelete
  34. "Anonymous Mar 14, 2012 11:32 AM

    Voilà pourquoi il devra fermer boutique et peut-être même quitter notre Nation."

    I would be ashamed if i were you...
    If this is what your Nation is like, i really hope that very soon you will separate because you are rotten inside and you deserve to have a third world country just for you !

    I'm quite sure though that les quebecois that matters are not like that, and you represent just a small and insignificant class of bullshiters and agitators. You will disappear with time...

    ReplyDelete
  35. les seppies reprennent des forces :

    http://tinyurl.com/73k22gw

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hahaha...les dinosaures sont de retour. PQ va certainement remporter l'élection !!!

      Pfff, I feel so peaceful right now. I barely sleep last night thinking about those two.

      Delete
  36. I trust the PQ more then the CAQ. CAQ is just as pro 101 as PQ. Though CAQ will take alot of support from PQ along with Quebec solidaire. Liberals might just win down the middle.

    ReplyDelete
  37. Triste de voir que les anglos de l'Ouest utilise un pauvre perroquet africain pour cracher leurs préjugés imbibés de fiel.Comme d'habitude,incapable de se lever debout et de le dire eux-mêmes...Pathétique.Toujours l'utilisation de la méthode "liberal" : Sous une table,dans une enveloppe ou derrière un rideau.comme c'est triste.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hey Abrasif, no BS cheque for you today so you're mad? Don't worry, maybe soon there will be a Greece in North America!!! WE ARE PREYING FOR SUCH A LONG TIME !

      Delete
    2. Please, hold your referendum already ! We want you out ! Don't stall ! Stop threatening, do it ! What is stopping you ????????? BE A MAN !

      Delete
    3. Qu'est ce que tu dis? Ce que tu écris est incohérent.

      What a stupid comment.

      Delete
    4. Or maybe you are too stupid to understand...

      Delete
  38. Je sais que cela n'a aucun rapport avec le sujet mais il faut que je le dise...

    Harper, le meilleur allié du PQ

    Voilà,je me sens mieux.

    Merci.

    ReplyDelete
  39. If the convenience store owner was Jewish the Young Fascists of Quebec would have smeared shit on his building in the shape of a Star of David...Kristallnacht Quebecois style.

    ReplyDelete