PQ releases self-help holiday guide to defending Quebec values charter

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/pq-releases-self-help-holiday-guide-to-defending-quebec-values-charter/article16099773/

Just call it the Parti Québécois self-help holiday guide to defending the Quebec Charter of Values.
As Quebec families prepare to gather over tourtière and a bûche de Noël, the PQ has released a six-page document intended to address all the pesky questions that have arisen over Bill 60, the controversial legislation that forbid public employees from wearing conspicuous religious symbols on the job.

Matt Gurney: Protecting the French language, one lunch break at a time | National Post

Matt Gurney: Protecting the French language, one lunch break at a time | National Post

The case for fixed book pricing in Canada | National Post

The case for fixed book pricing in Canada | National Post

Don Macpherson: So much for a calm, respectful debate on the values charter

http://www.montrealgazette.com/news/Macpherson+much+calm+respectful+debate+values+charter/9210755/story.html

Khadir, who is a political adversary of Benhabib, told Le Devoir that “certain incendiary statements” by the former PQ candidate created “such a hostile environment” toward Conradi that, rather than try to continue speaking to an audience “that clearly didn’t want to listen to her,” she walked out. “And I walked out, too, in solidarity.”
In her defence, Benhabib told Le Devoir that Conradi had been “disrespectful to me and to the audience when she interpreted the comments of some participants as perceptions.”
So we have apparently reached the point that to refer to someone else’s beliefs as “perceptions” has become an irresistible provocation that must be met with booing and heckling.

Globe: Quebec Liberal Leader rethinks stand on religious-symbols ban

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/quebec-liberals-open-to-religious-symbols-ban-for-judges-police/article15511635/

The Liberals may go as far as to embrace the recommendation of the 2008 Bouchard-Taylor report on religious accommodations, which recommends a ban on religious symbols for some public servants in position of authority. The Coalition Avenir Québec as well as the Québec Solidaire party support that view, which could mean a common front by the opposition against the PQ minority government.

Don Macpherson: McCarthyism, Québécois nationalist style

http://blogs.montrealgazette.com/2013/11/12/mccarthyism-quebecois-nationalist-style/

There’s just something about articles written by English-speaking Quebecers for New York publications criticizing Québécois nationalists that sends the latter clambering up the curtains.
You may recall the furor over the late Mordecai Richler’s article on Quebec’s language legislation, Inside/Outside, in New Yorker magazine in 1991, which Richler then expanded into a book, Oh Canada! Oh Quebec!
On Tuesday, the New York Times published an opinion article, titled “Quebec’s Tea Party Moment,” criticizing the Parti Québécois government’s proposed anti-hijab law (or what I call the Charter of Pants). It was written by Martin Patriquin, the Montreal-based Quebec bureau chief for Maclean’s magazine.
Patriquin isn’t the first Quebec commentator to compare the PQ, since it proposed the Charter of Pants, to the conservative Tea Party movement in the United States. Shortly after the PQ presented its initial “values” proposals in September, Jérôme Lussier called the PQ the “Tea Parti Québécois,” because of its “populist xenophobia,” on his blog for L’actualité magazine.
But Lussier kept his criticism within the French Quebec family, while Patriquin was writing for the English-speaking world.
So, inevitably, Patriquin was accused by Québécois nationalists of “besmirching Quebec’s image,” or, as it is commonly called, “Quebec bashing.”

Analysis: The political strategy behind Quebec's values charter (CBC.CA)

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/the-political-strategy-behind-quebec-s-values-charter-1.2418405

Pauline Marois has already said that she would be “proud” to invoke that notwithstanding clause to pave the way for her new law.

1995 Quebec Apprehended Insurrection

- all 125 riding scrutineer supervisors were PQists

- some anglo businessmen counseled voting YES since it would 'strengthen Quebec's hand'

No Dogs or Anglophones: Harper Lobs Hand Grenade at Quebec

The comical part about this, is that the majority of Quebecers actually support both the Clarity Act and Bill 99 at the same time, a contradiction in terms, which speaks to the intelligence of voters.

http://nodogsoranglophones.blogspot.ca/2013/10/harper-lobs-hand-grenade-at-quebec.html

It's unanimous: they are anglophobes

http://www.montrealgazette.com/news/notwithstanding+clause+says/2219518/story.html

Bill 104, adopted unanimously in 2002 by the National Assembly, tried to block “transition” schools but last month the Supreme Court of Canada ruled Bill 104 unconstitutional, giving Quebec one year to find another way to resolve the issue.

Quebec’s proposed charter violates religious freedom, says rights watchdog | Toronto Star

Quebec’s proposed charter violates religious freedom, says rights watchdog | Toronto Star

Quebec Human Rights Commission: Comments on the PQ government's Charter of Values bill

http://www.cdpdj.qc.ca/en/droits-de-la-personne/droits-pour-tous/Pages/default.aspx

The Commission des droits de la personne et des droits de la jeunesse believes that the government’s policy paper – 'Parce que nos valeurs on y croit' – jeopardizes fundamental rights and freedoms

Montréal, October 17, 2013 – The Commission des droits de la personne et des droits de la jeunesse believes that several proposals in the government’s policy paper Orientations gouvernementales en matière d’encadrement des demandes d’accommodement religieux, d’affirmation des valeurs de la société québécoise ainsi que du caractère laïque des institutions de l’État, contravene Québec’s Charter of Human Rights and Freedoms and infringe fundamental rights and freedoms.

In particular, the Commission considers that prohibiting the wearing of “conspicuous” religious symbols by public sector employees does not meet the Québec Charter test and that the proposal to formalize “religious” accommodations could restrict the scope of accommodations granted on the basis of other grounds of discrimination, including for disabled people ...
 

Québec songe à retirer le crucifix de l'Assemblée nationale

Québec songe à retirer le crucifix de l'Assemblée nationale | Denis Lessard | Politique québécoise

On verrait aussi disparaître l'exception accordée aux élus, qui pouvaient porter des signes ostentatoires dans la première version la Charte, une observation qui revenait souvent dans les courriels des citoyens reçus par gouvernement ...

La nouvelle mouture, qui cheminera sous peu dans les comités ministériels, met fin à ce droit de retrait. On prévoit une période de transition pour permettre aux établissements de s'adapter aux nouvelles dispositions, une période de cinq ans, indique-t-on généralement. Certains croient même qu'elle devrait être ramenée à trois ans seulement. Le ministre Drainville avançait au pas de charge et a refusé de répondre aux questions de La Presse, hier. Jusqu'ici, M. Drainville et son collègue Jean-François Lisée se sont contentés de commentaires très généraux sur les orientations envisagées par Québec, au lendemain des prises de position de MM. Parizeau et Bouchard ...

Certains éléments semblent toujours en suspens. Ainsi, on veut interdire le port de signes religieux à l'ensemble des fonctionnaires, des professeurs et des employés de CPE, même ceux qui n'ont pas de contacts avec le public. Mais certains, au sein de l'appareil public, à Québec, suggèrent qu'on reconnaisse aux fonctionnaires actuels un droit acquis de sorte qu'ils puissent conserver leurs attributs religieux. Les nouveaux employés, toutefois, ne se verraient pas accorder le même droit, ayant adhéré à la fonction publique en toute connaissance de cause. Cette solution, attrayante en apparence, soulève toutefois des problèmes d'application ...

Bernard Landry joins Bouchard, Parizeau in charter critique - Montreal - CBC News

Bernard Landry joins Bouchard, Parizeau in charter critique - Montreal - CBC News

"What Parizeau wrote is common sense. It brings us back to the true values ​​of tolerance and openness of Quebec society," said Bouchard.

 Even Quebec's Assembly of Catholic Bishops supports the removal of the crucifix, which Bouchard noted dryly in his interview in La Presse.

 Landry is more tempered in his criticism of the proposed charter, calling the PQ government "brave" and "courageous" for wading into what he says is a necessary debate.

Une application mobile pour soutenir les services en français | Métro

Une application mobile pour soutenir les services en français | Métro



La Société Saint-Jean-Baptiste de
Montréal (SSJB) a lancé, mercredi, une application mobile pour évaluer
la qualité des services en français des commerces à Montréal.


L’application mobile intitulée «Moi, j’achète en français» permet de
mesurer sur une échelle de 1 à 10 les entreprises, d’émettre des
commentaires, de publier des photos, en plus de les géolocaliser. La
SSJB espère que cette application permettra d’impliquer les jeunes
Montréalais dans la promotion du français.


«Les jeunes adultes n’ont pas vécu les grandes luttes linguistiques…
ils ne sentent pas que leur langue peut être menacée», a déclaré le
président de la SSJB, Mario Beaulieu.

GM: Maka Kotto’s advice for religious minorities: Accept Quebec values

PQ minister’s advice for religious minorities: Accept Quebec values - The Globe and Mail

A Parti Québécois minister has advice for religious minorities who may have to choose between a spiritual symbol and a job, with the Quebec government’s plan to limit religious dress in public sector workplaces: Set the panther skull aside.
Mr. Kotto, 51, is one of the rare members of a visible minority in the PQ caucus. His view was highly sought on the fractious debate on a dress code that would ban symbols such as the hijab, the turban, large crucifixes, and, presumably, the animist totem that belongs to his family in Africa.
“When people arrive in a new family, the least we can do is to consider the values of the family and accept their values.”

Le projet de charte passera-t-il le test des tribunaux? | La charte des valeurs, entre division et inclusion | Radio-Canada.ca

Le projet de charte passera-t-il le test des tribunaux? | La charte des valeurs, entre division et inclusion | Radio-Canada.ca

NDP opposes PQ plan to ban religious symbols, Mulcair says - The Globe and Mail

NDP opposes PQ plan to ban religious symbols, Mulcair says - The Globe and Mail

The New Democrats made a submission in 2007 to the Quebec commission that was studying reasonable accommodation and the party decided that its policy would follow the recommendations of that commission, said Guy Caron, MP for Rimouski-Neigette–Témiscouata–Les Basques.


What the Quebec government is proposing is “really very far from the recommendations,” said Mr. Caron. “So it’s easy for us to oppose. This is clearly something that goes against individual right,” he said, “and there is a way to have this debate in Quebec without going as far as this charter (change) is going.”

Gerard Bouchard: Québec ouvre la porte à un débat acrimonieux

Québec ouvre la porte à un débat acrimonieux | Stéphane Bégin | Actualités

«Le ministre vise un appui de la majorité. Et cette majorité proviendra de la population francophone et canadienne-française. Une majorité qui va décider les droits des minorités. Et ce sera la même manière de procéder pour le droit de retrait. La majorité va décider pour la minorité.  Pourtant, c'est à l'État de statuer sur les droits des minorités en fonction des grandes Déclarations des droits de l'homme», lance Gérard Bouchard, lors d'un entretien hier après-midi.


Le professeur de l'Université du Québec à Chicoutimi (UQAC) pense que le projet fera face à un problème de droit important. Il convient qu'un gouvernement peut restreindre et supprimer des droits, mais il doit s'appuyer sur un motif supérieur afin de lui permettre de passer le test du tribunal. Il donne en exemple la loi 101. Il s'agissait d'un motif impérieux, car il fallait sauver l'avenir de la francophonie québécoise. «Il s'agissait d'un motif supérieur. Même la Cour suprême du Canada a reconnu sa légitimité. Mais là, je ne vois aucun motif supérieur à l'adoption de cette charte. On veut que les employés de l'État laissent tomber les signes religieux afin de rester neutres. Un enseignant portant un signe de sa foi propagerait indûment le goût du religieux, déformerait l'esprit des jeunes. Ça ne repose sur aucune démonstration.»

Gérard Bouchard dénonce aussi l'intention du gouvernement d'accorder un droit de retrait aux villes, aux institutions de l'État. Il craint que le Québec vive une disparité importante sur le port ou non des symboles religieux. «Ce droit de retrait va entraîner une fragmentation juridique du Québec. Un cégep pourrait décider d'interdire le port du voile et un autre le permettre. Une ville pourrait décider de garder ses symboles religieux, de conserver la prière et même d'en ajouter, alors qu'ailleurs ce serait tout le contraire», indique-t-il.

Marois says no offence meant by immigration comments - Montreal - CBC News

Marois says no offence meant by immigration comments - Montreal - CBC News

Quebec Premier Pauline Marois says she didn’t intend to offend anyone with comments she made about multiculturalism in England earlier this week.

In an exclusive interview with Le Devoir, Marois said multiculturalism in Britain has led to "people beating each other up and setting off bombs," because British society has no clear sense of identity.

Don Macpherson: PQ winning some, losing some in bid for charter of values

Don Macpherson: PQ winning some, losing some in bid for charter of values

MONTREAL — In Quebec politics, there is no problem that cannot be solved by passing a new law.
This is true even if the only problem to be solved is political.
Even if the Parti Québécois and its new ally, the Coalition Avenir Québec, pretend otherwise in order to justify the need for a “charter of values,” there is no crisis in Quebec over religious accommodations.
- See more at: http://www.proxfly.com/browse.php?u=Oi8vd3d3Lm1vbnRyZWFsZ2F6ZXR0ZS5jb20vb3Bpbmlvbi9NYWNwaGVyc29uK3dpbm5pbmcrc29tZStsb3Npbmcrc29tZStjaGFydGVyK3ZhbHVlcy84ODc5NDE1L3N0b3J5Lmh0bWw%3D&b=5#sthash.Yo9GypyE.dpuf

MONTREAL — In Quebec politics, there is no problem that cannot be solved by passing a new law.
This is true even if the only problem to be solved is political.
Even if the Parti Québécois and its new ally, the Coalition Avenir Québec, pretend otherwise in order to justify the need for a “charter of values,” there is no crisis in Quebec over religious accommodations.
- See more at: http://www.proxfly.com/browse.php?u=Oi8vd3d3Lm1vbnRyZWFsZ2F6ZXR0ZS5jb20vb3Bpbmlvbi9NYWNwaGVyc29uK3dpbm5pbmcrc29tZStsb3Npbmcrc29tZStjaGFydGVyK3ZhbHVlcy84ODc5NDE1L3N0b3J5Lmh0bWw%3D&b=5#sthash.Yo9GypyE.dpuf

MONTREAL — In Quebec politics, there is no problem that cannot be solved by passing a new law.
This is true even if the only problem to be solved is political.
Even if the Parti Québécois and its new ally, the Coalition Avenir Québec, pretend otherwise in order to justify the need for a “charter of values,” there is no crisis in Quebec over religious accommodations.
- See more at: http://www.proxfly.com/browse.php?u=Oi8vd3d3Lm1vbnRyZWFsZ2F6ZXR0ZS5jb20vb3Bpbmlvbi9NYWNwaGVyc29uK3dpbm5pbmcrc29tZStsb3Npbmcrc29tZStjaGFydGVyK3ZhbHVlcy84ODc5NDE1L3N0b3J5Lmh0bWw%3D&b=5#sthash.Yo9GypyE.dpuf

Parti vert du Québec | Réaction du Parti Vert du Québec à la Charte des valeurs Québécoises du Gouvernement de Mme Marois

Parti vert du Québec | Réaction du Parti Vert du Québec à la Charte des valeurs Québécoises du Gouvernement de Mme Marois

MONTRÉAL, le 29 août 2013 /CNW Telbec/ - Le PVQ s'objecte à cette charte qui va à l'encontre de tout ce de qui touchent les droits humains, la liberté d'expression et la liberté de pratique religieuse garantie par la charte des droits et liberté de la personne du Québec.

Selon notre porte-parole en matière de justice sociale, « ... nous sommes, encore une fois, en train de vouloir légiférer sur des questions de morale et de valeur, plutôt de vouloir sensibiliser et éduquer sur les différences ».

Au PVQ nous faisons la promotion d'une vision de la citoyenneté basée sur l'égalité des droits pour tous les individus indépendamment de leur sexe, de leur race, de leur âge, de leur religion, de leur classe sociale, de leur origine ethnique ou nationale, de leur orientation sexuelle, de leur handicap, de leur richesse et santé telle que garanti par la Charte des droits et liberté du Québec et telle que décrite dans la Charte mondiale des verts. « Il faut traiter la question des valeurs québécoises en misant sur la valorisation culturelle de ces dernières, plutôt que par une législation. Les valeurs c'est une question de culture, de droit constitutionnel et non une question de droit juridique... »

Shameful silence on Quebec’s xenophobia | National Post

Shameful silence on Quebec’s xenophobia | National Post

Unfortunately, NDP leader Tom Mulcair, consistent with his overall pattern of running scared from anything that might offend the lowest common denominator of Quebec public opinion, has refused to denounce Ms. Marois’ initiative. He broke his silence on the issue on Monday — but only to claim that the whole matter is moot, since the new law would be contrary to the Charter of Rights and Freedoms. That’s an extraordinarily silly thing to say given that Ms. Marois would be only too pleased to trash the Charter if things came to that. (Even Coalition Avenir Quebec leader Francois Legault, who effectively holds the balance of power in Quebec’s minority legislature, says that he would urge the use of the Constitution’s notwithstanding clause to protect the sections of the Charter of Quebec Values that he supports.)

Macpherson: Inconvenient OQLF study trashed

http://www.montrealgazette.com/opinion/Macpherson+Inconvenient+OQLF+study+with+trash/8834642/story.html

The study, however, supplies De Courcy with no fresh ammunition to use in support of her legislation, which she didn’t mention in her communiqué on the study.
The OQLF did little to draw attention to the study, which it released without the usual advance notice or media briefing on its details.
And not only did the OQLF release it on a “garbage day,” it released it on one in summertime. Not surprisingly, the study has received almost no media coverage. Mission accomplished?

Mulcair: Quebec religious symbols ban doubtful

Quebec religious symbols ban doubtful, Tom Mulcair says - Politics - CBC News

NDP Leader Tom Mulcair says he doubts Quebec Premier Pauline Marois will move ahead with a planned ban on religious headwear in public-sector workplaces because it would be contrary to the Charter of Rights and Freedoms.
The minority-government Parti Québécois will reportedly include the ban as part of the planned charter of Quebec values.

Laïcité: fort appui au PQ | Philippe Teisceira-Lessard | Politique québécoise

Laïcité: fort appui au PQ | Philippe Teisceira-Lessard | Politique québécoise

Près de trois Québécois sur cinq appuient l'interdiction du port de signes religieux dans la fonction publique, selon un nouveau sondage.

Malgré la levée de boucliers qu'il a provoquée, le projet de Charte de la laïcité du gouvernement Marois semble rallier une majorité d'électeurs, conclut l'étude de Forum Research commandé par The Gazette. Ses résultats ont été publiés dimanche soir sur internet.
Au Québec, 58 % des répondants ont appuyé l'idée phare de la proposition gouvernementale qui a fait l'objet d'une fuite, la semaine dernière. Au contraire, 33 % s'y sont opposés.

Don Macpherson: The PQ, protector of the flock

Don Macpherson: The PQ, protector of the flock

Action démocratique du Québec, a forerunner of the present Coalition Avenir Québec party, showed the potential of opposing the “accommodation” of minority religions in the 2007 general election, when it rose to the official opposition and temporarily relegated the PQ to third-party status.
When Pauline Marois became PQ leader after that election, she vowed that the PQ would never again concede identity issues to another party, or be “afraid to seem intolerant” in doing so. Hence the promise in the PQ’s last election platform of what has become the “charter of values.”
And now it may be that, as commentator Jérôme Lussier recently wrote on his blog for L’actualité magazine, pitting Quebecers against each other is “practically all the PQ has left.”

The PQ Wants to Force Religious Quebecers Into The Closet | Irwin Cotler

The PQ Wants to Force Religious Quebecers Into The Closet | Irwin Cotler

Religious freedom is a right guaranteed by the Quebec and Canadian charters of rights, as well as the Charter of the United Nations and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, and it has been repeatedly affirmed that the freedom to hold a belief is inseparable from the freedom to express it. Therefore, should the Quebec government go ahead with these measures, the matter would undoubtedly end up before the courts, but it would be regrettable if it ever got that far.

Testing the judiciary to see how much trampling on minority rights the government can legally get away with is not a recipe for a free and open society. Proponents of the proposed measures argue that they enjoy widespread support. If this is true, it is both unfortunate and entirely beside the point. In free societies, minority rights are not subject to majority rule.

Charles Taylor fait un parallèle avec la Russie de Vladimir Poutine | Politique | Actualité | Le Journal de Montréal

Charles Taylor fait un parallèle avec la Russie de Vladimir Poutine | Politique | Actualité | Le Journal de Montréal

QUÉBEC - Outré par les intentions du gouvernement Marois qui souhaite interdire les signes religieux apparents dans les emplois publics, le professeur Charles Taylor n’hésite pas à faire un parallèle avec la Russie de Vladimir Poutine.
 «Il faut penser qu’on vit dans le monde occidental civilisé ! Qu’est-ce qu’on va dire dans le New York Times de ce genre de mesure qui rappelle Poutine à Moscou qui dit que vous ne pouvez pas vous afficher comme un gai ou on va vous mettre en prison! C’est un peu poutinisque !», s’insurge le coprésident de la Commission Bouchard-Taylor sur les accommodements raisonnables.
 Le Journal a révélé mardi que le gouvernement péquiste veut bannir les croix ostensibles, le turban, la kippa juive et le foulard islamique non seulement des ministères et organismes publics, mais également des CPE, des écoles et des hôpitaux. Médecins, professeurs, éducatrices en services de garde, policiers, magistrats, procureurs de la Couronne devraient ainsi tous laisser leur foi à la maison. Les citoyens qui souhaitent bénéficier des services publics devraient également le faire à visage découvert, selon nos informations.

Quebec’s new immigration rules put the emphasis on French skills

Quebec’s new immigration rules put the emphasis on French skills

MONTREAL — Prospective immigrants to Quebec will need to master French better than in the past under new immigration rules that came into effect Thursday.

"We have re-thought our approach in order to select, around the world, immigrants able to respond adequately to Quebec's needs and to contribute to its prosperity," Immigration and Cultural Communities Minister Diane De Courcy said in a statement.

The government has tweaked the point system for selecting immigrants in hopes of boosting the proportion of immigrants who speak French on arrival to about 82 per cent from about 62 per cent.

Quebec entrepreneur denied non-French business name - Ottawa - CBC News

Quebec entrepreneur denied non-French business name - Ottawa - CBC News

Since posting the video, Ménard said he has heard from others who have had similar problems with the registrar.

About nine per cent of requests for business names are rejected in Quebec every year because they do not meet the guidelines of the charter, according to the registrar.

Ménard is not sure what his next step will be, but said he may appeal again.

NatPost: 'Resisting multiculturalism, one packed lunch at a time'

Chris Selley: Resisting multiculturalism, one packed lunch at a time | National Post

Of course it is unfair, on its face, to allow Jews and Muslims to bring a lunch but not everyone else. But just because something is unfair doesn’t mean you should have the time or the inclination to lose your mind about it, and too many Quebec commentators and politicians are miles on the wrong side of that line. Only in Quebec can a sane person get so quickly from an odd policy at an amusement park — or a Sabbath-related parking rule — to fulminating about a poisoned society.

La Ronde is essentially just a sugar shack with roller coasters. Would it be able to throw a Muslim Family Day, as Six Flags Discovery Kingdom in California did last year, complete with “a Halal all-you-can-eat Buffet, and an area for daily prayer,” and be left in peace to do so? I wouldn’t bet on it.

So, great, at least the politicians stayed out of it this time. But this controversy has nevertheless enriched the broth of intolerant paranoia simmering on Quebec’s back burner — all the tastier for politicians when next they feel the need to stir the pot. If they’re going to say anything, they should be telling people to calm the hell down. But in Quebec’s provincial politics, that remains a decidedly fringe position.

NatPost: 'Montreal amusement park ends ‘special privileges for halal and kosher food’ amid uproar'

Montreal amusement park ends ‘special privileges for halal and kosher food’ amid uproar | National Post

“After hearing feedback from our guests, La Ronde would like to clarify that only guests with special medical dietary needs will be considered to bring outside food with them as they enter the park,” communications manager Catherine Tremblay said in a statement.

 Jack Jedwab, executive director of the Montreal-based Association for Canadian Studies, said the backlash over La Ronde’s accommodation is a sign of growing “accommodation vigilantism” in Quebec. “I think that before companies give in to accommodation vigilantism they have to think about the broader ramifications,” he said.


 The hunt is back on, and the level of journalistic rigour is scarcely better. Just consider when the Journal decided to undertake its sting — during Ramadan, when most healthy Muslims fast from dawn until sunset. The reporter’s sandwich may have been the only purportedly halal food to pass through La Ronde’s gates that day and for weeks to come.

Montreal Gazette: PQ picks a suspicious time to raise royal objection

Editorial: PQ picks a suspicious time to raise royal objection

Whatever else the PQ administration might feel about the monarchy, it comes off as unseemly and churlish for a province with a female premier and a Catholic heritage to oppose this change. 

In the parliamentary vote, even the Bloc Québécois backed the legislation. That was back in March, and it is curious that the Quebec government uttered not a peep of protest at the time, but chose the day of the royal birth to voice an objection. 

The likely explanation would seem to be that it could not resist injecting a sour note into an otherwise joyous royal occasion.

No Dogs or Anglophones: Canada's Value-for-Money Monarchy

No Dogs or Anglophones: Canada's Value-for-Money Monarchy

It is a particular bugbear amongst the sophisticates and separatists to disdain the monarchy as an archaic institution that has no place in our modern society.

Survey after survey indicates that Canadians are a disinterested bunch when it comes to the House of Windsor, but to this observer that fact is the proof that in many cases, polls outright mislead, where responders answer what they believe they should say, instead of what they actually feel.

I'm not a royalist by any stretch of the imagination, but for that matter, I would oppose the abolition of the institution of the monarchy on a variety of grounds.
It would in all likelihood cost more to abolish the monarchy than to keep  it, but that is hardly the point.

'Au Canada, c’est en anglais que ca se passe aussi'

Gazette: Menchie’s distinctive plastic spoons stay put

Menchie’s distinctive plastic spoons stay put | West Island Gazette

The manager was told to remove the spoons while the inspector waited. The event was captured on the store’s security videotape.

 The inspector also spoke with the store’s owner, former Montrealer David Lipper, who is now based in Los Angeles.

 The story was picked up by the media and by the next evening, Lipper had received an apologetic call from the OQLF telling him the store could continue using the spoons while the file was being studied.

 “Construction of the Laval store was supposed to be finished four months ago, but we kept getting our permits refused, once because there wasn’t enough French on the plans, another time because the plans were rolled, not folded. Then there was the construction strike and now there is the construction holiday. I have no idea when the opening day will be.”

 “The process hasn’t changed my love for (my hometown), but it is very difficult to do business in Quebec,” Lipper said. “If I’d known at the very beginning that the process would be even 50 per cent as difficult as it’s turning out to be, I would never have done it.”

'Jan Wong ordered to repay Globe separation payment'

http://www.thestar.com/news/gta/2013/07/05/jan_wong_ordered_to_repay_globe_separation_payment.html

Journalist Jan Wong breached a confidentiality agreement with The Globe and Mail and must pay back an undisclosed severance payment, an arbitrator has ruled.
The decision by arbitrator Louisa Davie comes after Wong’s former employer objected to a book she wrote about her battle with depression, as well as some of her Tweets and media interviews.
Davie ruled this week that Wong’s 2012 book Out Of The Blue breached a Memorandum of Agreement signed by herself, the Globe and her former union, the Communications Energy and Paperworkers Union of Canada, Local 87-M.

Wade Rowland: The Private Industry Is As Rich As the CBC

Wade Rowland: The Private Industry Is As Rich As the CBC

As the financial plight of the CBC/Radio-Canada deepens, there are signs of a genuine debate emerging about how to restore the public broadcaster to health, and sort out the industry at large.

CRTC Chair Jean-Pierre Blais announced later last month that the CRTC will begin consultations with citizens and media players this Fall: "It's time to ask if the assumptions that lie beneath our current regulatory policies still hold true," he told an audience in Banff.

And a week later, Kevin Crull, CEO of Bell Media, the nation's biggest media conglomerate, responded in print to a suggestion of mine that Ottawa sharply reduce or eliminate its lavish subsidies to private broadcasters, and instead channel more money to the CBC -- enough to allow CBC television to get out of the commercial sponsorship game and become a true public service broadcaster.

Ottawa Citizen: 10 myths about Confederation

10 myths about Confederation

This is the second of a two-part series on what Canadians will be celebrating on the 150th anniversary of Confederation in 2017. Part I covered the reality of what actually happened in 1867; Part II covers the myths that have since developed concerning that agreement.
Soon after Confederation was implemented, a number of interpretations began to arise over what it meant to different inhabitants of the new Dominion. Every people must have its myths; they are often based on some degree of truth; and they become part of reality for those who believe them. What is and is not a myth is somewhat subjective, and many would argue that some of the “myths” identified here were actually true of the situation in 1867.

Read more: http://www.ottawacitizen.com/life/myths+about+Confederation/8599540/story.html#ixzz2XnvLqQvN

At Quebec Harvey's Restaurants, 01 JUL is Moving Day

1016641_628981270448363_351047618_n.jpg (JPEG Image, 415 × 333 pixels)

Ottawa Citizen: How Confederation really happened

Op-Ed: How Confederation really happened

This is the first of a two-part series on Confederation. Part I covers the reality of what actually happened in 1867; Part II will cover the myths that have since developed concerning that agreement.
*
In 2017, Canadians will celebrate the 150th anniversary of Confederation, one of the most important milestones in our history. A good place to start with the preparations is with an understanding of what Confederation was all about, coupled with an understanding of the myths that have since arisen about that momentous event in 1867.
What is and is not a myth is somewhat subjective, and may simply reflect differing interpretations of what actually happened: one person’s myths may be another person’s reality. The fact that the negotiations were secret and that no records were kept also makes facts more difficult to prove and myths much easier to promote. Hopefully readers will delve into history books to help form their own views on the reality and myths of Confederation. These two articles provide a guide and a decent list of the issues.

Read more: http://www.ottawacitizen.com/life/Confederation+really+happened/8594395/story.html#ixzz2XnsatBUz

Anthem-singing stokes patriotism, Canadian survey finds

Anthem-singing stokes patriotism, Canadian survey finds

Whether mumbling half-remembered lyrics or giving it the full-throated rendition, a clear majority of Canadians responding to a cross-country survey say they feel a swelling of pride whenever they sing the national anthem — something many will have a chance to do this Canada Day weekend.
But citizens are considerably less likely to display their love of country on shirts and hats, according to the web-panel poll of 1,500 people commissioned by the Montreal-based Association for Canadian Studies and carried out June 10-12 by the firm Leger Marketing.
About 75 per cent of the population gets a surge of patriotic feeling when warbling O Canada. And a “slight majority” of 53 per cent of Quebec residents expressed pride in singing the 133-year-old national song, which was composed in 1880 by Quebec musician Calixa Lavallee but only officially named Canada’s anthem in 1980.

CTV: IGA suspends supervisor after employee told to only speak French

IGA suspends supervisor after employee told to only speak French | CTV News

A supervisor at a Quebec IGA store who told a 17-year-old employee to only speak French on the premises has been suspended.

Store owner Louise Menard said Thursday she had suspended the head of human resources, who was recorded saying the employee break room would become a “ghetto” if languages other than French were spoken.

Menard chalked up the incident to a miscommunication.

CTV: IGA denies employee told to only speak French

IGA denies employee told to only speak French | CTV News

A Quebec IGA store is denying a former employee’s claim that she was told to only speak French among co-workers, despite an audio recording that suggests otherwise.

Meaghan Moran said two co-workers told her she could not speak English when working at her part-time job at the IGA location on Sir-Wilfrid-Laurier Blvd. in Saint-Lambert, even when on her break.

In an audio recording of a conversation between Moran and two of her superiors, one supervisor is heard saying the employee break room would become a “ghetto” if languages other than French were spoken.

The Gazette: IGA language flap creates controversy

IGA language flap creates controversy

MONTREAL — The owner of a South Shore supermarket that has come under fire after reports that it forced employees to speak solely French, even among each other, has denied any such policy existed.

Seventeen-year-old Meaghan Moran, a former employee from the store located on Sir Wilfred Laurier Blvd. in St-Lambert, told CTV News Wednesday that she had become aware of the policy shortly after beginning her part-time job when a fellow anglophone co-worker cautioned against her speaking to him in English. Moran, who is fluently bilingual, quit before going public with her story.

The office of Louise Ménard, the owner of five IGAs in the Montreal area including the one in St-Lambert, issued a statement Thursday saying there are no restrictions on any language in her stores.

CTV: IGA employees can't speak English to each other?

Exclusive: IGA franchise employees told they cant speak English to each other | CTV Montreal News

Meaghan Moran, 17, got a job working at an IGA on Sir-Wilfrid-Laurier Blvd. in Saint-Lambert. She was told that she didn't have the right to speak English at the store ...

“One of the guys I was working with is English and I knew him and he said, ‘No, talk to me in French because we're not allowed speaking English on the floor,” she said, adding that she quickly heard what her friend and ex-employee Alex Caldwell knew: employees don't feel comfortable speaking English anywhere in the store.

“I was warned by a friend in the lunchroom to watch what I say and keep my English down, because the management didn't like it and she got a warning,” said Caldwell.

Store owner Louise Menard, who also owns other IGAs, refused an on-camera interview, but explained her reasoning in a phone interview. She said she thinks that when employees speak their own languages amongst themselves, whether it's English, Russian or Spanish, even on their own time in the staffroom, it creates tension and misunderstandings in the workplace.

Menard did emphasize that speaking only French in her establishments is not required, rather it's requested.

Constitutional lawyer and human rights expert Julius Grey said he thinks it's a clear violation of freedom of expression and equality ...

 Office québécois de la langue française spokesperson Martin Bergeron said there is no provision in the French language charter that prevents employees from speaking English to each other during the course of a workday ...

canada.com: Menchie’s gets its English spoons back

Menchie’s in Montreal gets its English spoons back | canada.com

Free spoons offered by frozen-yogurt chain Menchie’s gained national attention after Quebec’s language watchdog launched an investigation into a complaint over plastic utensils engraved with a few words of English.

But the cutlery is once again available to customers pending the verdict from the inspectors.

The Office quebecois de la langue francaise insisted on Friday that no demands were made for the spoons to be removed — and blamed “certain media” for blowing things out of proportion.

Resolution re: Fete-St-JeaNationale

WHEREAS St-Jean Baptiste is the patron saint of French Canada (Note: not Quebec); and

WHEREAS La Fete St-Jean is a franco-nationalist celebration by definition; and

WHEREAS I am not French-Canadian by ethnicity (merely French-speaking); and

WHEREAS official St-Jean celebrations must be presented in Canadian French; and

WHEREAS French is not the only official language in Quebec, just of the provincial government; and

WHEREAS La Fete nationale is a national-sovereignist celebration by definition; and

WHEREAS it is organized by a sovereignist group, the MNQ, sponsored by the provincial govt; and

WHEREAS Quebec is not a nation (country), nor a nation-state, not even an ethnos, but merely a province within a country:

BE IT RESOLVED to not commemorate a falsely 'national' holiday on 24 JUN, whatever it is called.

Spoongate: he said, elle a dit - CJAD Local News :: CJAD Local News

CJAD 800 – News. Talk. Radio. :: LISTEN: Spoongate: he said, elle a dit - CJAD Local News :: CJAD Local News

"Well, basically, a woman came in, said she was with the OQLF, and gave us a letter that shows a complaint had been filed, and she was following procedure to investigate," Lipper said. "She then looked at the spoon, took a picture of it, and said there is, in fact, English in the molding of the spoon."

After communicating with the inspector, Lipper got rid of the spoons and replaced the spoons with generic white plastic spoons, with a view to avoiding a fine.

"We did the change right in front of her face. We literally pulled the spoons, with customers in the store, and she watched us do it," Lipper said.

The inspector says then told him that the investigation continues, and not to distribute the offending spoons while it continues.

Column: Tell the truth, separatism is dead « Macdonald Laurier Institute

Column: Tell the truth, separatism is dead « Macdonald Laurier Institute

Why will no political leader stand up and tell the truth about Quebec separatism? That truth is that separatism is dead—not, of course as something to dream about and vote for; that, like death and taxes will always be with us. No, the truth is that the hurdle is set so high for it to be done successfully and legally that separation is, for all intents and purposes, impossible.
Even Stéphane Dion, architect of the Clarity Act and one of the most courageous and rightly admired of Quebec federalists, still maintains the fiction that the key question is whether Quebec gives a clear answer to a clear question on secession. Quebec will not be kept in Canada “against its will.” He said so again the other night at one of the Great Canadian Debates Series organised by my institute in Ottawa. If Quebeckers really want to go, he says, they can.
True, forcing Quebeckers to stay against their clearly expressed will is a recipe for misery. On the other hand, downplaying the certain costs Quebeckers would confront to get out of Confederation encourages separation fantasies, distorting that very decision about whether to vote to leave. The secessionists, like former Bloquiste Daniel Turp, who debated Dion, strive to make Quebeckers believe that independence would be essentially costless, while creating all kinds of benefits (we will finally be maîtres chez nous, or as the great Quebec chansonnier  Félix Leclerc put it, it would mean the end of the fat greasy fingers of strangers pawing through the family papers).

Who will pay for the FSQ scandal?

The soccer turban scandal: It started with a lie | Montreal Gazette

The soccer turban controversy: It started with a lie | Montreal Gazette

When the Fédération de soccer du Québec announced on Saturday that it was lifting its ban on players wearing the turban, it said it was because the sport’s international governing body, FIFA, had decided only the day before to allow the Sikh religious head covering.
That’s not true.
A Radio-Canada television report on Saturday evening showed documents proving that the Quebec soccer federation knew as early as last September that FIFA allowed the turban.

Chairman Maorois: J'accuse

Back to the Chateau for the summer (she tried to sell agricultural zoned property to a foreigner and got stopped) Does she still have her silent flushing toilet ?

JdeM: la FSQ finalement suit la loi sur le turban, mais les opinions restent partagées | Faits divers et judiciaire | Actualité | Le Journal de Québec

La FIFA et la FSQ admettent le turban, mais les opinions restent partagées | Faits divers et judiciaire | Actualité | Le Journal de Québec

La décision de permettre aux sikhs de porter un turban sur les terrains de soccer du Québec provoque encore des débats dans les gradins, où les parents sont partagés entre respect de l’uniforme et intégration des communautés.
Au lendemain de l’annonce de la FIFA qui autorise les joueurs de soccer canadiens à porter un turban, la Fédération de soccer du Québec a annoncé qu’elle emboîte le pas.
Aux abords des terrains de soccer, le sujet provoque des réactions diverses.

The French abhor ostentatious or conspicuous religion ...

this from a culture which prides itself on narcissism and  haute couture.

Montreal Gazette: FSQ finally complies with turban permission

Quebec soccer body lifts turban ban

“Our intervention was solely from a technical point of view and had absolutely nothing to do with religious matters or political issues. We were unwillingly led to this path while we were only trying to get information on a regulation issue that falls under the body that governs our sport.”

She said Saturday her choice of words had been “involuntary” and unfortunate because of her lack of fluency in English, and apologized to anyone who may have been offended, particularly in the anglophone community.“The issue left the field of play much more than we could ever have imagined,” she said. 

Frot said the suspension is now rescinded, relations between the two associations have been restored and the whole “surreal” controversy might have been avoided if there’d been better communication beforehand.

Asked about Premier Pauline Marois’s defence of the QSF, Frot said “the government tried to help the QSF and that’s a fact we appreciate.”

Predictions (Premier Marois illegally defends the turban ban)

Update: The FQS has repealed the ban, but the Charter of Quebec Values promised for Autumn 2013 will be much worse,
Premier Marois defends the ban

I predict the FSQ will stall in repealing the turban ban. They will hide behind the pretext that the IFAB has not made its final decision yet.

«Depuis le début du litige, la Fédération de soccer du Québec demandait une position claire de la part de la FIFA sur le sujet; ce que nous n’avions pas jusqu’à cette annonce. Le conseil d’administration de la FSQ sera saisi dans les plus brefs délais de la position de la FIFA», explique le texte.

In any case, 'safety' was a pretext to test Canadian resistance. The real principle is assimilation of minorities to the 'values' of anti-clericalism , collectivism and national-sovereignty. 

 The majority of the populace is against religious accommodation. It is not in the PQ's interest to capitulate.

“Quebec is a welcoming society that wants to integrate all those who want to participate in its values, participate in this reality we represent collectively, which accepts differences but also wants to share common values,” Marois said. - See more at: http://www.hidebuzz.us/browse.php?u=Oi8vd3d3Lm1vbnRyZWFsZ2F6ZXR0ZS5jb20vbGlmZS9QcmVtaWVyK01hcm9pcytkZWZlbmRzK3R1cmJhbitzb2NjZXIvODUyODY3OS9zdG9yeS5odG1s&b=5#sthash.uuUzvPkr.dpuf

“Quebec is a welcoming society that wants to integrate all those who want to participate in its values, participate in this reality we represent collectively, which accepts differences but also wants to share common values,” Marois said. - See more at: http://www.hidebuzz.us/browse.php?u=Oi8vd3d3Lm1vbnRyZWFsZ2F6ZXR0ZS5jb20vbGlmZS9QcmVtaWVyK01hcm9pcytkZWZlbmRzK3R1cmJhbitzb2NjZXIvODUyODY3OS9zdG9yeS5odG1s&b=5#sthash.uuUzvPkr.dpuf

“Quebec is a welcoming society that wants to integrate all those who want to participate in its values, participate in this reality we represent collectively, which accepts differences but also wants to share common values,” Marois said. - See more at: http://www.hidebuzz.us/browse.php?u=Oi8vd3d3Lm1vbnRyZWFsZ2F6ZXR0ZS5jb20vbGlmZS9QcmVtaWVyK01hcm9pcytkZWZlbmRzK3R1cmJhbitzb2NjZXIvODUyODY3OS9zdG9yeS5odG1s&b=5#sthash.uuUzvPkr.dpuf

“Quebec is a welcoming society that wants to integrate all those who want to participate in its values, participate in this reality we represent collectively, which accepts differences but also wants to share common values,” Marois said. - See more at: http://www.hidebuzz.us/browse.php?u=Oi8vd3d3Lm1vbnRyZWFsZ2F6ZXR0ZS5jb20vbGlmZS9QcmVtaWVyK01hcm9pcytkZWZlbmRzK3R1cmJhbitzb2NjZXIvODUyODY3OS9zdG9yeS5odG1s&b=5#sthash.uuUzvPkr.dpuf

“That is not Quebec’s reality,” she continued. “There are many other countries in the world where different rules apply and there is respect for one another. - See more at: http://www.hidebuzz.us/browse.php?u=Oi8vd3d3Lm1vbnRyZWFsZ2F6ZXR0ZS5jb20vbGlmZS9QcmVtaWVyK01hcm9pcytkZWZlbmRzK3R1cmJhbitzb2NjZXIvODUyODY3OS9zdG9yeS5odG1s&b=5#sthash.uuUzvPkr.dpuf

The FSQ has political cover in at least 2 of the 3 major parties in provincial legislature. This will ensure the funding remains stable.

The FSQ 'agrees' with the CSA to remain suspended until final IFAB approval of turbans . This could take years.

«Les turbans n’ont jamais été refusés au Canada. Aucun règlement ne porte à croire le contraire. Une décision sans appel sur la question sera rendue en [Mars 2014] par la FIFA», déclare M. Sieber.

The money lost to FSQ by loss of CSA affiliation is made up by the Quebec State.

«La situation est en train de se régler», a confirmé Michel Dugas, coordonnateur des communications de la FSQ.

http://www.journaldemontreal.com/2013/06/14/pres-dun-accord

FSQ have stalled all along, and shown bad faith (e.g., refusing to even acknowledge the Sikh organizations' contacts).

FSQ will not apologize, nor acknowledge their wrongdoing. That would expose them to civil lawsuits.

Quebec is a welcoming society that wants to integrate all those who want to participate in its values, participate in this reality we represent collectively, which accepts differences but also wants to share common values,” Marois said. - See more at: http://www.hidebuzz.us/browse.php?u=Oi8vd3d3Lm1vbnRyZWFsZ2F6ZXR0ZS5jb20vbGlmZS9QcmVtaWVyK01hcm9pcytkZWZlbmRzLzg1Mjg2Nzkvc3RvcnkuaHRtbA%3D%3D&b=5#sthash.k5GWRyYD.dpuf

Quebec is a welcoming society that wants to integrate all those who want to participate in its values, participate in this reality we represent collectively, which accepts differences but also wants to share common values,” Marois said. - See more at: http://www.hidebuzz.us/browse.php?u=Oi8vd3d3Lm1vbnRyZWFsZ2F6ZXR0ZS5jb20vbGlmZS9QcmVtaWVyK01hcm9pcytkZWZlbmRzLzg1Mjg2Nzkvc3RvcnkuaHRtbA%3D%3D&b=5#sthash.k5GWRyYD.dpuf

CTV: FSQ reverses long-illegal soccer turban ban

Quebec poised to reverse soccer turban ban | CTV Montreal News

In a statement published on Friday, FIFA said that it altered international rules in October 2012 to permit turbans until further notice, as long as certain conditions are met.

FIFA's regulatory body, the International Football Association Board is analyzing the use of turbans in soccer games, and that board will discuss the again in October 2013, making a permanent decision in March 2014.

Meanwhile the CSA has notified the Quebec Soccer Federation of FIFA's rules. The CSA also made public a letter sent to the Quebec Soccer Federation in April saying that FIFA's rules permitted turbans.

FIFA has now made it clear that its regulations were changed seven months before the Quebec's soccer organization banned turbans, a decision which QSF claims it was unaware of, despite repeated letters from the CSA informing all provincial soccer associations of the decision.

The suspension inflamed tensions in Quebec, with Premier Pauline Marois claiming, incorrectly, that the QSF was not subject to the regulations imposed by the CSA.

Todwin's Law of Durham Analogies

Todwin's Law of Durham Analogies:

"'As an online discussion of Quebec nationalism grows longer, the probability of a comparison involving Durham or Trudeau approaches 1.'

 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Godwin%27s_law

Poll: Quebecers at odds with English Canada over turban ban in soccer

Quebecers at odds with English Canada over turban ban in soccer | canada.com

 the poll found that 47 per cent of respondents in Quebec said they agreed with the statement that “wearing a turban is a safety risk when playing soccer” while 36 per cent said they disagreed with that statement.

In the rest of Canada, 30 per cent agreed while 46 per cent disagreed with the statement, said the poll, sponsored by the Montreal-based Association for Canadian Studies.

Field work for the online poll of 1,503 Canadians was conducted by Leger Marketing between June 10 and June 12. A sample of this size would normally have a 2.5 per cent margin of error, 19 times out of 20, for the national results, Jedwab said.

In the poll, the statement, “I feel my identity is threatened when I see people wearing a turban, hijab or kippa” also received a different reaction in Quebec versus the rest of the country. In Quebec, 46 per cent agreed with this statement and 48 per cent disagreed. In the rest of the country, 27 per cent agreed versus 64 per cent who disagreed.

Out-of-control safety cult ruining sports: Kelly

http://www.thespec.com/sports-story/3839408-out-of-control-safety-cult-ruining-sports-kelly/

 Let's go up and down the soccer uniform assessing the risks.

We assume the Quebec government has already done a multi-million dollar, publicly funded, non-tendered study on the subject, but we can't find it.

Shirts (constrictive, potential pulmonary danger); shorts (could fall off, psychological scarring); socks (fungal petri dishes); athletic support (too loose, twisting hazard; too tight, childless old age); shin pads (a gateway drug to Kick the Can).

We won't even get into the fact that players wear spikes on their feet. And then drive them into other people at high, lunging speed.

Obviously, if we want our children to play safe, they must play nude.

FIFA Statement on head covers - FIFA.com

FIFA Statement on head covers - FIFA.com

FIFA has sent a letter to the Canadian Soccer Association (CSA) on 13 June 2013 to inform the CSA that:

Following communication between the CSA and FIFA, the matter related to Law 4 – The Player’s Equipment, the use of head covers and the situation arisen within the CSA has been presented to the members of the International Football Association Board (IFAB) for discussion.

The IFAB has exceptionally agreed to extend the conditions of the current experiment previously approved by IFAB in October 2012 (as per FIFA circular no. 1322, see PDF on the right hand side), and to allow male players in Canada to wear head covers as well, as long as the following conditions are respected:

The head cover must:
• be of the same colour as the jersey
• be in keeping with the professional appearance of the player’s equipment
• not be attached to the jersey
• not pose any danger to the player wearing it or any other player (e.g. opening/closing mechanism around neck)

The letter sent by FIFA to the CSA on 13 June 2013 authorises the CSA to permit all players to wear head covers as described above, in all areas and on all levels of the Canadian football community.

This matter will once again be discussed by the IFAB in October 2013, before a final decision is reached at the next Annual General Meeting of the IFAB, taking place in March 2014.

Hey, Premier Marois: What’s wrong with this picture?

Hey, Premier Marois and PQ ministers: What’s wrong with this picture? | Montreal Gazette

Had this photo been taken at any Formula One race other than the Grand Prix du Canada, the answer would be “nothing.”
But because it was taken in Montreal, it’s “those ‘Fly Emirates’ signs.”
They’re illegal in Quebec, because they’re in English only.

Alain Dubuc: Une histoire de lâcheté politique

Une histoire de lâcheté politique | Alain Dubuc | Alain Dubuc

Les histoires d'accommodements raisonnables commencent presque toujours par de banals incidents de la vie quotidienne. Quand ils dérapent, c'est surtout parce que les gens sont laissés à eux-mêmes, sans balises. C'est encore une fois ce qui s'est produit dans le cas du turban sikh. On n'en serait pas là s'il y avait plus de leadership et moins de lâcheté politique.

Pourtant, le cas était simple. L'interdiction par la Fédération québécoise de soccer du port du turban par de jeunes garçons sikhs était indéfendable. Contrairement au voile islamique, un symbole lourd, il n'y avait là aucun grand enjeu sociétal. Les arguments de la FQS sur la sécurité étaient risibles. Et leurs arguments d'autorité, en invoquant les règles de la FIFA, ne tenaient pas la route, puisque la FQS est membre de l'Association canadienne de soccer qui, elle, autorise déjà le port du turban.
Ce qui reste, c'est une réaction épidermique des arbitres de la FQS, agacés par les turbans. Une attitude plus fréquente au Québec qu'ailleurs au Canada, par réflexe identitaire ou par méfiance à l'égard de toute forme d'accommodement religieux ...

Dan Delmar: Quebec commentariat’s soft centre disappoints

Quebec commentariat’s soft centre disappoints | Full Comment | National Post

Though it is commendable that the editor of Quebec’s most important newspaper reached out to Anglophones in the Rest of Canada by analyzing the province’s latest “reasonable accommodation” controversy,  André Pratte’s position (Why Quebecers don’t want turbans on the pitch) suffers from an abundance of nuance.
Thankfully, La Presse editor Pratte “strongly condemned,” as many Francophone commentators have, the Quebec Soccer Federation’s decision to ban turbans worn by Sikh children during games, a policy that earned them a suspension from the Canadian Soccer Association.
But like many in Quebec’s commentariat, Pratte shies away from using more forceful and appropriate language that is almost universally considered to be applicable in this case. It would have been productive for the godfather of Quebec commentators to explore the undeniable intolerance and ignorance behind the QSF’s (and the Parti Québécois’) position. But instead, he chose a soft middle-ground when pointed criticism was needed.

John Ivison: On the soccer pitch, we are all Sikhs now

On the soccer pitch, we are all Sikhs now | Full Comment | National Post

A YouTube video has been circulating among the members of my OldTimers soccer team, entitled: “How to tie a turban.”
The team, based in Chelsea, Que., is planning to don the Sikh headgear to protest the idiocy of the Quebec Soccer Federation’s turban ban.
We play most of our games against Ontario teams. Or we did until we were informed that we are banned until further notice, following the Canadian Soccer Association’s suspension of the QSF.

Stupid Nationalist Tricks: Assimililation vs. Integration

The question here isn’t security. It’s universality. To play a sport in an official manner, under the auspices of any governing body (as opposed to doing it with your buddies in the back alley), also means abiding by the rules, including the regulations about the uniform. When it comes to soccer, this means the shoes have to respect some criteria. Players must wear shorts and a jersey with sleeves, matching the team’s colours. Jewelry is forbidden. Can one wear flip-flops, tennis shoes or cowboy boots? No. Can one wear a tank top, jeans, or play shirts and skins? No. Can one wear a turban, a baseball cap or ski goggles? No. Are these rules, common to all soccer federations in the world through FIFA, there to put constraints on the players’ freedoms of religion or expression? No. They are there to ensure everyone’s safety, sure, but also to ensure the uniformity and universality of the game, and also the sense of belonging to one’s team. This is important.

http://www2.macleans.ca/2013/06/11/the-case-for-the-quebec-soccer-turban-ban/ 

PC: Interdiction du turban: un tournoi perd 20 équipes | Soccer

Interdiction du turban: un tournoi perd 20 équipes | Soccer

Stupid Nationalist Tricks: Autonomy vs. federalism

In April, the Canadian Soccer Association sent a directive to its provincial and territorial federations, including Quebec, to allow the turbans or paktas. The Quebec federation now finds itself shunned after defying the directive.

 Tuesday, the Parti Québécois stepped into the ring, saying the national body had no business in the soccer pitches of the province. 

 http://www.warpproxy.com/browse.php?u=Oi8vd3d3Lm1vbnRyZWFsZ2F6ZXR0ZS5jb20vbGlmZS9UdXJiYW4rUXVlYmVjK1NvY2NlcitGZWRlcmF0aW9uK2F0dGVtcHRpbmcrcmVhY2grc2V0dGxlbWVudCt3aXRoK0NhbmFkaWFuK2Fzc29jaWF0aW9uLzg1MTQ2MTMvc3RvcnkuaHRtbA%3D%3D&b=5 

Stupid Nationalist Tricks: Interculturalism vs. Multiculturalism

 “The view here is multiculturalism means the host culture isn’t any more important than immigrant cultures,” says Seymour. http://www2.macleans.ca/2011/02/18/its-all-about-language-or-is-it/

NDP Leader: Quebec Soccer Federation Should Allow Sikh Kids to Play Soccer

NDP Leader Urges Quebec Soccer Federation to Allow Kids to Play Soccer

OTTAWA, Ontario, Canada (June 12, 2013)–Earlier today, Leader of the Official Opposition and Canada’s NDP Tom Mulcair spoke with both the Canadian Soccer Association and the Quebec Soccer Federation, urging them to expedite a solution and allow kids to play soccer.
“All kids should be allowed to play soccer, no matter their background” added Mulcair while addressing the Canadian Club.
Tom Mulcair has demonstrated principled leadership by directly reaching out to both governing organizations and working to facilitate a resolution. New Democrats are optimistic a solution will be reached soon and encourage both the Conservative and Liberal leaders to follow the lead of the Official Opposition; remove politics and work on getting results.

Port du turban : la Fédération québécoise maintient l'interdiction | Radio-Canada.ca

Port du turban : la Fédération québécoise maintient l'interdiction | Radio-Canada.ca

La Fédération de soccer du Québec (FSQ) a convenu « de tout tenter » pour rétablir le dialogue avec l'Association canadienne de soccer (ACS), qui l'a suspendue pour avoir décidé d'interdire le port du turban, du patkas et du keski pendant ses matchs.

La FQS a toutefois précisé qu'entre-temps, elle maintenait sa décision quant à l'interdiction du port du turban, et ce, malgré la suspension imposée par l'ACS.

Après avoir déclaré la veille qu'elle attendrait 10 jours avant de rendre sa décision publique, la FSQ a tendu la main à l'ACS pour « trouver un règlement le plus rapide possible pour sortir de cette impasse ».

CSA to FSQ: You can play in your own backyard

Bock-Cote: Turban: qui est fermé d’esprit? (Paywall)

Turban: qui est fermé d’esprit ? | Chroniqueurs | Opinion | Le Journal de Montréal

C’est un plaisir que le Canada anglais se refuse rarement: regarder le Québec de haut et l’inonder de son mépris. Il prend la pose du grand démocrate. Lui, il est ouvert, moderne, généreux et moralement supérieur. C’est un paradis fondé par Trudeau. Et il aime traiter le Québec comme une tribu composée de ploucs xénophobes tardant à entrer dans la modernité.C’est ce qui arrive avec la controverse entourant le port du turban mettant en scène les associations canadienne et québécoise de soccer. La Fédération québécoise de soccer (FQS) a rappelé aux parents d’un enfant sikh qu’il doit retirer son turban pour jouer avec son équipe. Les parents refusent. Ils hurlent à la discrimination. Pour cela, la FQS s’est fait suspendre par l’association canadienne.

Gerard Bouchard: Turban interdit au soccer

Gerard Bouchard: Turban interdit au soccer

L'historien déplore l'intervention de l'association canadienne dans le débat.

« Je pense qu'il faut d'abord examiner le fond de l'affaire entre nous (...) » —  Gérard Bouchard

Il explique que la sensibilité québécoise est un héritage de la Révolution tranquille qui a été aussi un rejet de l'hégémonie de l'église catholique, et, du même coup, du religieux dans son ensemble. La rupture est toujours présente selon lui, mais elle a tendance à s'estomper chez les jeunes qu'il côtoie dans ses conférences.

FQS: LA FÉDÉRATION DE SOCCER DU QUÉBEC INVITE L’ASSOCIATION CANADIENNE DE SOCCER AU DIALOGUE.

TwitLonger — When you talk too much for Twitter

Le conseil d’administration de la Fédération de soccer du Québec a convenu hier soir de tout tenter afin de rétablir le dialogue avec l’Association canadienne de soccer dans le but d’en venir à un dénouement dans le dossier qui nous oppose. Afin de donner toutes les chances possibles à la discussion, nous ne souhaitons pas commenter davantage la situation, que ce soit dans les médias ou sur la place publique. Nous espérons un règlement le plus rapide possible pour sortir de cette impasse. Il importe cependant de préciser que, contrairement à ce qui a été véhiculé, la Fédération ne s’est pas imposée formellement quelque délai que ce soit pour y parvenir. Dans l’intervalle, la Fédération de soccer du Québec maintient sa décision quant à l’interdiction du port du turban, patkas et keski lors de ses activités