“Nationalism in Quebec is not propagated in a haphazard way by individual teachers. It starts at the ministry level and it permeates the textbooks.” We can now add official history examinations to that. For over 20 years, Quebec has been producing dubious nationalist history in its compulsory examinations......Politicians a No-show to Canada Day Parade
An essay question asks students to write about demographic changes that occurred in the 20th century in terms of immigration, migration within Quebec, and natural growth. In a telling omission, the consequences of Bill 101, which reduced Quebec's population and is recorded as the largest internal migration in Canadian history, are not to be considered by the students.
While this is supposed to be an examination in English, some of the documents are in French and historical English names have been changed to comply with Bill 101. L'Estrie in 1880 was in reality the Eastern Townships; and Rue Saint-Jacques, Canada's financial centre in 1920, was in reality St. James Street. In addition, the examination uses words that are not English. One question asks students to identify forms of cultural expression associated with currents of thought such as "agriculturalism" and "cooperatism." Neither the Google, Oxford, nor Webster dictionaries recognize these as words. LINK Alternative link* REACTION
“Even as tens of thousands of people poured into the city to watch this year’s massive Canada Day parade, Montreal’s Mayor Gérald Tremblay decided he had better things to do on Canada Day than help the city celebrate the nation’s 144th birthday. While many considered the mayor’s absence to be politically insensitive, others were quick to notice he wasn’t the only one who missed the big parade. Apart from city executive committee members Alan DeSousa and Mary Deros, Liberal MNA Justin Trudeau seemed to be the only Canadian politician in the city’s political establishment who was willing to meet and greet ordinary Canadians during their national holiday celebrations.
Read the rest of the story in the SUBURBAN
Elton John rocks Quebec city
Much to the chagrin of French militants, Elton John rocked Quebec City with a record attendance for his show at the annual music festival in Quebec city. As you can see from the photo below the show was so popular that many were forced to watch the show on the big screen, from behind the stage. Over 100,000 people attended, this in a city of 450,000 people.
The festival opened to a wildly successful French show, entitled Quebec-Paris, proving that most Quebeckers are comfortable enough in their own skin to enjoy the best the world has to offer, regardless of language.
Congratulations to organizers for respecting the intelligence of the audience!
Much to the chagrin of French militants, Elton John rocked Quebec City with a record attendance for his show at the annual music festival in Quebec city. As you can see from the photo below the show was so popular that many were forced to watch the show on the big screen, from behind the stage. Over 100,000 people attended, this in a city of 450,000 people.
The festival opened to a wildly successful French show, entitled Quebec-Paris, proving that most Quebeckers are comfortable enough in their own skin to enjoy the best the world has to offer, regardless of language.
Congratulations to organizers for respecting the intelligence of the audience!
| (photo karl tremblay / JOURNAL DE QUEBEC / AGENCE QMI) |
Read a story about the concert in French ... LINK{FR}
Couple awarded 12K for no French on Air Canada Flight
Michel Thibodeau, along with his wife who flew on Air Canada flight and was served exclusively in English will receive $ 12,000 in damages and an apology from the airline.
The court also ordered the carrier to establish, within six months, a system "to identify, document and quantify possible violations of its linguistic obligations," LINK{FR}
Couple awarded 12K for no French on Air Canada FlightMichel Thibodeau, along with his wife who flew on Air Canada flight and was served exclusively in English will receive $ 12,000 in damages and an apology from the airline.
The court also ordered the carrier to establish, within six months, a system "to identify, document and quantify possible violations of its linguistic obligations," LINK{FR}
The Gazette has gone to a pay service, which I encourage everyone to subscribe to if they can afford it. The Montreal Gazette generously allows a limited amount of access to their site.
If you are desperate you can use a proxy server, which in my mind remains legal as long as it is not blocked. I've provided a link which might work, but again suggest that if you're a heavy user-PAY!
NOTE TO READERS:
I SHALL BE TAKING A SUMMER BREAK AND WILL RESUME BLOGGING BY AUGUST 1, THE LATEST.
I SHALL LEAVE THE COMMENT SECTION UN-MODERATED AND HOPE READERS WILL NOT TAKE ADVANTAGE.
IF YOU HAVE ANY STORY IDEAS, DROP ME A LINE.
THANK-YOU FOR CONTINUING TO COME BY AND FOR CONTRIBUTING TO WHATEVER SUCCESS THAT WE ENJOY.
SOME TIME IN AUGUST THIS BLOG WILL WELCOME ITS 10,000th COMMENT!
QUITE AN ACHIEVEMENT AND A CREDIT TO THE READERS!
FROM A FEW READERS A DAY, WE NOW WELCOME OVER A THOUSAND DAILY VISITS.
WHEN REFERRING TO THE OWNERSHIP BLOG, I ALWAYS USE THE PLURAL, IT IS AS MUCH YOUR BLOG AS MINE. I AM TOLD OVER AND OVER AGAIN THAT THE COMMENTS ARE MORE INTERESTING THAN MY POSTS!
SO BE IT!
REMEMBER FREE SPEECH AND DISSENT IS AN ESSENTIAL PART OF DEMOCRACY. RAGE IS AN EXPRESSION OF LEGITIMATE OUTRAGE.
and so GENTLE READERS, I will leave you with that immortal poem by Dylan Thomas, one that you very likely know, but haven't heard in a while;
DO NOT GO GENTLE INTO THAT GOOD NIGHT
Do not go gentle into that good night,
Old age should burn and rage at close of day;
Rage, rage against the dying of the light. Though wise men at their end know dark is right,
Because their words had forked no lightning they
Do not go gentle into that good night.
Good men, the last wave by, crying how bright
Their frail deeds might have danced in a green bay,
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.
Wild men who caught and sang the sun in flight,
And learn, too late, they grieved it on its way,
Do not go gentle into that good night.
Grave men, near death, who see with blinding sight
Blind eyes could blaze like meteors and be gay,
Rage, rage against the dying of the light. And you, my father, there on the sad height,
Curse, bless me now with your fierce tears, I pray.
Do not go gentle into that good night.
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.
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Further Reading: French versus English Volume 30
