For the casual observer, the student protest and boycott over the proposed increase in tuition fees is a homogenous and unified student front, determined to roll back the government decision.
But the reality is not that simple, there are various student associations representing different groups of students from university and cegep.
The most radical and militant of all these groups is the Association pour une solidarité syndicale étudiante (ASSÉ), an association of radical leftist students closely associated with the union movement.
One of the group's tenets is this pearl, which sort of says it all;
"For labor solidarity with all progressive international struggles for the betterment of society"
But the reality is not that simple, there are various student associations representing different groups of students from university and cegep.
The most radical and militant of all these groups is the Association pour une solidarité syndicale étudiante (ASSÉ), an association of radical leftist students closely associated with the union movement.
One of the group's tenets is this pearl, which sort of says it all;
 |
| ASS? |
The group is not only against the tuition increase, but actually demands free education and increased financial support, with the ultimate goal of eliminating all student loans and debt.
Of course, ASSE is against Globalization, Big business, etc. etc.
Much to the consternation of other peaceful student groups who seek to gain public sympathy through peaceful demonstrations, the ASSEholes have no compunction using deliberately disrupting tactics, such as the blocking of bridges, roads and buildings, with the express idea of making life difficult for the general public. The group views its actions as an ongoing battle against the establishment and makes no apologies for their unpopular actions.
This last week, ASSE held a rally at which ex-FLQ terrorist, Paul Rose gave a speech in solidarity.
Readers well remember that Mr. Rose was convicted of kidnapping and murder of a Quebec cabinet minister, Pierre Laporte, during the 'October Crisis' back in 1970, along with other terrorist cell members. He was released on parole in 1980.
Of course, ASSE is against Globalization, Big business, etc. etc.
Much to the consternation of other peaceful student groups who seek to gain public sympathy through peaceful demonstrations, the ASSE
This last week, ASSE held a rally at which ex-FLQ terrorist, Paul Rose gave a speech in solidarity.
Readers well remember that Mr. Rose was convicted of kidnapping and murder of a Quebec cabinet minister, Pierre Laporte, during the 'October Crisis' back in 1970, along with other terrorist cell members. He was released on parole in 1980.
As you can imagine, his speech made many people uncomfortable and the appropriateness of his presence was openly questioned by several in the media.
Doing damage control, ASSE leaders told the media that the meeting was open to all and that they hadn't invited Mr. Rose to speak.
Doing damage control, ASSE leaders told the media that the meeting was open to all and that they hadn't invited Mr. Rose to speak.
That being said, the official ASSE Twitter feed, made note of his appearance and proudly tweeted a picture of him speaking. Link{Fr}
Incidentally, the boycott of classes has become a French only affair as all English Cegep and University student associations have given up an official boycott, although some hotheads are trying to stop students from taking exams.
I remain dumbfounded that students in the French system are actually okay with putting their school year at risk.
Incidentally, the boycott of classes has become a French only affair as all English Cegep and University student associations have given up an official boycott, although some hotheads are trying to stop students from taking exams.
I remain dumbfounded that students in the French system are actually okay with putting their school year at risk.
To me, they remain stupider than wood, as a lost year would cost more than the whole tuition increase, as well as a lost six months.
It seems that for these French students, it remains a question of principal, while for English students it is a case of principle + interest!
"The province continues to encourage immigrants to learn French but there are reports the Quebec government may soon offer immigrants “choice.”
New arrivals to the province may soon be able to learn English.
Quebec's largest public-sector union argues that would contravene the law stipulating sessions can only be offered in French but the government says the move is in the interest of speedy integration.
All immigrants know they need to speak French and Kathleen Weil, Quebec Minister of Immigration and Cultural Communities, has choice words for those criticizing her government's employment measures.
“You can't start discriminating against new immigrants because they're francophone and you say well I'm afraid if you learn a little English suddenly you're going to become Anglophone,” she says. “It's absolutely insane to argue that.” LINK
Quebec public service union gets political
"According to documents obtained by the Syndicat de la fonction publique du Québec (SFPQ), the Department of Immigration and Cultural Communities is about to provide newcomers with orientation sessions in English and Spanish.
The sessions, lasting three hours, are currently offered in French by the department and allows immigrants to become familiar with their new host society.
Private classes are offered in other languages, but only on request.
The Regional Vice President of SFPQ for Montreal and Laval, Jean-Francois Sylvestre, indicates that the department intends to appeal to organizations contracted to deliver these new sessions in three languages, by the summer. Link {Fr}
With all the endless discussions on TSN and RDS over the 2012 NHL draft, few commentators are willing to discuss the obvious, the disastrous situation in relation to Francophone players in the draft.
Out of the top 50 prospects playing in North American junior leagues, there is not one Francophone and only one Quebecker.
To boot, that Quebecer is Michael Matheson, an anglophone from Pointe Claire who is ranked 30th.
The Quebec Major Junior Hockey league lists just three players in the Top 50, two Russians and a Czech.
The Ontario Hockey leagues boasts 20 players and the Western Hockey League contributes 13 names to the Top 50 list. Link
In a full page article in le Journal de Montreal he advises Quebecers not to feel bad or sorry about Randy Cunneyworth being run out of town over his lack of English.
GOOD LUCK--Somewhere Else!
He complained that Cunneyworth played the sympathy card to the hilt and that Quebecers shouldn't fall for his act.
In a typical two-faced argument Tremblay told readers that Cunneyworth didn't deserve to remain based on his record. He reminded readers that when Cunneyworth took over the team, they were two points out of the playoffs and finished dead last. Link{Fr}
Why two-faced?
Because even if Cunneyworth won the Stanley cup, Tremblay would still demand his firing.
Remember Al MacNeil?
In 1971 he was removed as coach of the Canadiens after winning the Stanley Cup because the unilingually English coach was thought to be unable to get along with Francophone players. Link{Fr}
Ontario MPP proposes more power for language commissioner
"For the second year in a row, an Ontario
NDP MPP has a bill in the House to increase the powers of the French
Language Commissioner. Bill 193 last year did not make it past first
reading, Bill 49 this year was introduced March 20 but both are very
similar. They want to increase the power of the Commissioner to provide
annual reports, special reports anytime with recommendations for
improving the provision of French language services.Naturally, L’Assemblée de la francophonie de l’Ontario is in support
of this, however receiving the vast amount of funding from the government
the way that group does, should make one question the need for this bill
and politics involved." Read more
The sessions, lasting three hours, are currently offered in French by the department and allows immigrants to become familiar with their new host society.
Private classes are offered in other languages, but only on request.
The Regional Vice President of SFPQ for Montreal and Laval, Jean-Francois Sylvestre, indicates that the department intends to appeal to organizations contracted to deliver these new sessions in three languages, by the summer. Link {Fr}
Francophone players set to bomb in NHL draft
Out of the top 50 prospects playing in North American junior leagues, there is not one Francophone and only one Quebecker.
To boot, that Quebecer is Michael Matheson, an anglophone from Pointe Claire who is ranked 30th.
The Quebec Major Junior Hockey league lists just three players in the Top 50, two Russians and a Czech.
The Ontario Hockey leagues boasts 20 players and the Western Hockey League contributes 13 names to the Top 50 list. Link
Nasty sportswriter bids good riddance to Cunneyworth
My least favorite sportswriter, the ever nasty anglophobe, Rejean Tremblay has struck again.In a full page article in le Journal de Montreal he advises Quebecers not to feel bad or sorry about Randy Cunneyworth being run out of town over his lack of English.
GOOD LUCK--Somewhere Else!
He complained that Cunneyworth played the sympathy card to the hilt and that Quebecers shouldn't fall for his act.
Nothing like mixing Quebec politics and sports..."Bob Gainey and Pierre Gauthier ransacked the very institution that is the Montreal Canadiens. They proceeded to voluntarily eradicate French among the players and leaders. Probably for reasons of control........Saku Koivu insulted 80% of the population of Quebec. And the message to all of North America was loud and clear: 'We don't give a shit! "
Koivu and Brian Gionta have opened the door to the hiring of unilingual English vice presidents at the Caisse and other large institutions in Quebec. If we accept that the captain of "our" Canadiens remains a unilingual Anglophone, we will accept it everywhere and that's what almost happened."
In a typical two-faced argument Tremblay told readers that Cunneyworth didn't deserve to remain based on his record. He reminded readers that when Cunneyworth took over the team, they were two points out of the playoffs and finished dead last. Link{Fr}
Why two-faced?
Because even if Cunneyworth won the Stanley cup, Tremblay would still demand his firing.
Remember Al MacNeil?
In 1971 he was removed as coach of the Canadiens after winning the Stanley Cup because the unilingually English coach was thought to be unable to get along with Francophone players. Link{Fr}
Ontario MPP proposes more power for language commissioner
"For the second year in a row, an Ontario
NDP MPP has a bill in the House to increase the powers of the French
Language Commissioner. Bill 193 last year did not make it past first
reading, Bill 49 this year was introduced March 20 but both are very
similar. They want to increase the power of the Commissioner to provide
annual reports, special reports anytime with recommendations for
improving the provision of French language services.Naturally, L’Assemblée de la francophonie de l’Ontario is in support
of this, however receiving the vast amount of funding from the government
the way that group does, should make one question the need for this bill
and politics involved." Read more
Quebecers remain Canada's biggest cheapskates
"Quebecers have maintained their position as the least generous Canadians when it comes to charitable donations and time donated through volunteering.
"Across the country, it remains a constant, we rank dead last in terms of average donation:
$208, less than half the national average of $446...
$208, less than half the national average of $446...
And let no one say this is a matter of wealth: New Brunswick, which is not deemed to be particularly wealthy, the average is $380...."
On Volunteerism;
"No. Here too, we are dead last in the country.
A lower rate of volunteers, who give fewer hours on average than the others: 128 compared to the national average of 156...." Link{Fr}
Unilingual English immigration commissioners come under fire.
"The federal government came under fire Wednesday for appointing more
unilingual anglophones - this time at the Montreal and Ottawa offices of
the Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada.
Montreal newspaper La Presse reported two recently minted commissioners in Montreal and one in Ottawa who don't speak French." Link Of course the usual complainers like Yves-François Blanchet of the PQ and Sadia Groguhé of the Ndp, both lambasted Ottawa for this outrageous slight, but the Minister in charge, Jason Kenny was having none of it, reminding those who complained that there are unilingual French commissioners as well and that immigrants had the right to a hearing in either official languages.
Only 2 out of the 32 of the commissioners in Montreal are unilingually English, while 5 are unilingually French. Link{Fr}
Why a unilingually English commissioner in Ottawa is an outrage, while a unilingually French commissioner in Montreal is fine, remains an unanswered question.
In a related story, La Presse noted that the English commissioners who hear refugee claims were less generous than their Francophone colleagues, granting asylum in about 18% of the cases, less than half the rate of the Francophones. Link{Fr}
Quebecor to Francize its name
"Quebecor Inc., the French-language media giant, has decided it isn’t quite French enough.
The owner of the TVA television network and cable company Vidéotron
will make a formal proposal to shareholders at its May 9 annual meeting
to add a French version of the corporation’s name for use in its home
province. From now on, it’ll be Québecor, with an acute accent."
Quebecor Chief Executive Officer Pierre Karl Péladeau began
reflecting on changing the name last fall, company vice-president Serge
Sasseville said Monday.
“He has a big concern for the protection of the French language in
Quebec,” Mr. Sasseville said, adding that Quebecor is an “important
actor” in Quebec’s cultural sector that promotes French-speaking artists
and programming. “We accordingly judged that it was important that we
use a French version of our name in Quebec.” Link
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