Forcing Kids Into Poverty
Quebec group demands apology francophone ‘ethnocide’
MONTREAL — Prince Charles should use the occasion of his visit to Quebec next month to apologize on behalf of the British Crown for past harm caused to French culture in North America, says the Societe Saint-Jean-Baptiste.
Prince Charles and his wife Camilla, the Duchess of Cornwall, will visit Montreal during the couple’s visit to Canada from Nov. 2 to Nov. 12.
The group says it wrote the Prince on Friday to say he will be welcome in Quebec if he apologizes for “ethnocide” of francophones after New France passed into the hands of Britain in 1763.
Among the alleged acts of oppression: Acadian deportations; deporting or executing the leaders of the Patriote rebellions of 1837-1838; instituting a majority-English Canada in 1840; execution of Metis leader Louis Riel in 1885; and repatriation of the Canadian Constitution in 1982 without Quebec approval.
The hardline French-language rights organization says it will support anti-British demonstrations during the visit if an apology is not forthcoming.
I’ve always wondered why a province would isolate itself with a language that the marketplace can’t understand. By keeping kids in french-only school they deprive them of the opportunity to earn an income outside of Quebec, and limit their opportunity.
Considering the opportunity that lies to the south and a little bit to the west, Quebec should apologize to their people for not making English its primary language, causing a cycle of poverty for french-only Quebecers.
Ask a separatist why they want to separate... there is no rational answer.
The separatist movement is about extorting Canada for money – every time there is a downturn, separatist rhetoric rackets up. And we pay them off with government contracts and handouts. Works every time.
Considering the Societe Saint-Jean-Baptiste slogan when they formed was “help yourself and Heaven will help you”… they may just want to reflect on that for a bit.
The French culture is a lot more than the language – the Quebecers I’ve met have a unique perspective on life, value social engagement over material goods, and are generally beautiful people. The ones that are using this culture as a political tool do them great damage.
If they would come to understand that teaching their kids English as a primary language is beneficial for them economically and culturally, they might discover that North America would come to appreciate the french culture – if they could just understand them.
Just like the Irish.
October 31st, 2009 at 10:22 am
As a Brit, my answer to these frog clowns is the middle finger. Problem is they would enjoy it Vive le Queerbec
November 3rd, 2009 at 6:09 pm
They are just the latest greatest to want “reparations”. Ka-ching. This is only about money.