24 June 2015

Les idées de PKP pour le Québec | Pierre Karl Péladeau élu chef du PQ | ICI.Radio-Canada.ca

Les idées de PKP pour le Québec | Pierre Karl Péladeau élu chef du PQ | ICI.Radio-Canada.ca



Tout le Québec le sait : Pierre Karl Péladeau a fait son entrée en politique afin de faire du Québec un pays. Alors qu'il vient d'être élu chef du Parti québécois (PQ), il convient de se demander à quoi ressemblerait le Québec sous sa gouverne, qu'il soit province ou pays.

Premier Couillard Defends Limits on Freedom of Expression - The New York Times

Quebec Leader Defends Limits on Freedom of Expression - The New York Times


Quebec’s premier said Tuesday that the government must “draw a line in the sand” on freedom of expression, as he defended legislation under consideration by provincial lawmakers that would restrict Islamic face coverings for women and hateful speech deemed to foment violence.
In an interview with the editorial board of The New York Times, the premier, Philippe Couillard, also asserted that the legislation was far less onerous than measures that had been proposed by the previous provincial administration, which was defeated by his Quebec Liberal Party more than a year ago.
The province has been shaken by fears of homegrown terrorism and radicalized youths. Last month, the police arrested 10 teenagers as they were about to depart Montreal to join jihadist militants in Syria and Turkey. Some were reported to have ties to six Quebecers who had made that journey in January, Canadian news media reported.

Montreal couple angry after French-only SQ emergency call - Montreal - CBC News

Montreal couple angry after French-only SQ emergency call - Montreal - CBC News

Sûreté du Québec doesn't require its dispatchers to speak English, spokersperson says

A Montreal couple have complained to Quebec's police ethics board after a Sûreté du Québec dispatcher was unable to speak English during an emergency phone call. Frank Gaudio and his fiancée Tracy Engstrom, who is eight months pregnant, were involved in a car crash earlier this month at the Dorval exit of Highway 20. The couple were unharmed, and Gaudio went to check on the driver of the other vehicle while Engstrom dialled 911. 

Coolopolis: Quebec's logo modification demand could lead to constitutional squabbles

Coolopolis: Quebec's logo modification demand could lead to constitutional squabbles


Tyler tells Coolopolis that the new amendments would also fail simply because trademarks fall under the federal jurisdiction.

     "It'd be hopelessly unconstitutional if any of my clients were
prosecuted under this amendment," said Tyler who senses an ulterior
motive in the government initiative.


   "This is a cynical political ploy to lose in court. Then they'll be
able to say 'gee without a distinct society clause we can't protect the
French language.'" They would come back and say 'we need more powers, we
cannot protect our language within this constitutional framework.'"

20 June 2015

William Johnson: A visionary, Jacques Parizeau was ready to pay any price | National Post

William Johnson: A visionary, Jacques Parizeau was ready to pay any price | National Post



In 2004, Parizeau came out publicly for “élections référendaires” in which the PQ ran on a platform of declaring independence if it won the merest majority of seats. “The proposed strategy has the immense advantage of freeing Quebec from the corridor where Ottawa wanted to park us. The Clarity Act becomes meaningless. It is the election which grants the mandate [for independence].”

Quebec sign law would add touch of French to global chains like Walmart

http://www.thestar.com/news/queenspark/2015/06/17/quebec-sign-law-would-add-touch-of-french-to-global-chains-like-walmart.html


In a review of the matter from as far back as 2000, the Conseil supérieur de la langue francaise, an advisory body, noted that a trademark registered by a Canadian company with the federal government has recognition and protection the world over thanks to intellectual property agreements between Ottawa and other countries.
It noted there had been an increase in companies getting around language laws by seeking to trademark their English name. But these same protections ensure that Montreal's world famous Cirque du Soleil isn't forced to call itself Sun Circus when it pitches a tent for shows in Las Vegas.
“It is difficult to call into question a global legal process that began more than 100 years ago,” the Conseil noted in its review, adding that China considered forcing companies to translate their trademarked names but eventually gave up.

18 June 2015

The Suburban News | M. Couillard, time to end the suppression of expression

The Suburban News | M. Couillard, time to end the suppression of expression



 
— The Couillard administration is failing in its promise to restore the
dignity of all citizens on minority rights and constitutional
protection of language. This failure will inevitably harm economic
recovery as surely as the policies of the Marois government did.
Appeasement of language extremists for political expediency, impotence
or unwillingness to reign in the OQLF and the tactic of changing rule
and regulation to thwart judicial decisions, is making Quebec look like
nothing other than a banana republic.

Québec obligera les détaillants à ajouter un slogan en français à leur affichage | ICI.Radio-Canada.ca

Québec obligera les détaillants à ajouter un slogan en français à leur affichage | ICI.Radio-Canada.ca



« On va laisser un certain choix aux entreprises parce qu'une marque de commerce est de compétence fédérale et qu'elle est protégée par le droit du commerce international. »




17 June 2015

Reasonable Propositions: Signs of the Times

http://montrealgazette.com/opinion/editorials/editorial-signs-and-the-language-of-courtesy

If descriptors for international trademarks are unnecessary in France, they are unnecessary in Quebec.

There is such an exemption in Bill 101 because the drafters knew it was ultra vires. 

Trademarks are federal, therefore ultra vires of Quebec.

This can be read into the judgement in April 2015 by Quebec Superior Court Judge Michel Yergeau

It is not, as Couillard opines, "a question of politeness". It is a question of law.

If companies wish to add descriptors, and dilute their brands, they are free to do so. But they must not be compelled to do so.

It is heartening that some companies have resisted doing so, to protect their intellectual property.

If descriptors are necessary for international companies, then they must be for Canadian and Quebecois ones as well

"perhaps it’s time for these same retailers to consider the signs that their customers encounter after they enter a store. "
'Bill 101 requires that product descriptions, as well as advertising in catalogues and flyers, be printed in French.'  As modified by the Supreme Court, it also allows other languages, as long as French is predominant.  Although such sentiments are mostly irrelevant in law, as evidenced by polling most francophones would tolerate 'other' languages on signs.
A store is under no obligation to provide translations.
+++++

people are already free to boycott over language

companies are already free to designate as they wish now, restricted or not

unconstitutional

political more than legal

an irritant to business

will be challenged

no scientific basis that it will protect French

bad discourse is more detrimental than bad laws
















Les haricots sont pas sales: The appeal of Acadiana

Cajun/creole:Old/young
male/female
anglo/franco
creole/indigenous
folk/pop
White/black
Urban/rural



11 June 2015

Anglos need more support to help prevent exodus: official languages commissioner

http://montrealgazette.com/news/local-news/anglos-need-more-support-to-help-prevent-exodus-that-weakens-quebec-official-languages-commissioner

English-speaking Quebecers and English-speaking immigrants’ contributions aren’t always fairly perceived in Quebec, according to Canada’s commissioner of official languages.In his annual report, Graham Fraser argues that the Quebec government doesn’t provide the necessary resources to organizations able to provide support to English-speaking immigrants.The report, made public Thursday, stated that “too many anglophones leave Quebec every year,” which weakens their community and “Quebec as a whole.”