If you want to be an author, the worst thing you can do is get published

2013/10/28 Leave a comment

While certainly not my problem (would be so lucky), telling the amount of time authors have to spend on marketing and promotion. With my own Policy Arrogance or Innocent Bias, I spend at least as much time on marketing as I did on writing. The following description of what an agenda of a successful writer can look like is revealing:

Thus, at a time I desperately need to get my next first draft off the ground, check out my commitments for the next couple of months or so: multiple-hour interviews with Dutch and Belgian periodicals, along with the dreaded photo shoots. Literary festival appearances in London’s Soho, Charleston, Birmingham, Cheltenham, Newcastle, Folkestone, Cambridge, Wapping, and Bali (yeah, yeah, tell us another sob story—but Southeast Asia involves a 17-hour plane trip and a discombobulating seven-hour time difference; I still have to work on more than my tan). A reading of one of my short stories at the Arts Club in London. Dinners with my publisher and editor to discuss a new imprint. Copious radio interviews. A ceremony for the National Short Story Award, for which I’m short-listed—and prizes are a particularly destructive time and emotion suck, since in most cases you don’t win. The delivery of a “sermon” in Manchester, which for an atheist will be a big ask. A formal lecture in Amsterdam, replete with mini author’s tour for the Dutch translation of my last novel. A panel on “storytelling” for Mumsnet. A presentation to prospective supporters of Standpoint magazine, for which I write a monthly column. An “in-conversation” for a medical conference. What already awaits in 2014? A reading at the Royal Academy, a two-week promotional tour of Australia, a six-week teaching residency in Falmouth, events in Muncie, Indiana, and Bath, and invitations, as yet mercifully unaccepted, to festivals in Alberta, Vancouver, Estonia, and Singapore.

If you want to be an author, the worst thing you can do is get published.

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Oh, Canada! Ethnic marketing giving way to “post-multiculturalism”

2013/10/26 Leave a comment

Another illustration of how multiculturalism and diversity is part of the mainstream:

“You see marketers who want to portray the Canadian mosaic in their advertising, which is important. But people don’t even see it as a mosaic anymore; it’s just the way it is,” Evans said. “We’re becoming less sensitive to those things because they’re part of the norm.”

Oh, Canada! Ethnic marketing giving way to “post-multiculturalism”.

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To restore faith in Statscan, free the Chief Statistician

2013/10/26 Leave a comment

Munir Sheikh, the former Chief Statistician of Canada, on the case for a more independent Statistics Canada to help improve trust in the quality of their reports.

To restore faith in Statscan, free the Chief Statistician – The Globe and Mail.

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The Hijab and Integration

2013/10/25 Leave a comment

Nice commentary by Victoria Ferauge on the hijab. Required reading for Premier Maurois and those in Quebec in favour of the Charter. My favourite quote (among many):

Quebec (and other places) are trying to judge what is inside someone’s head by what he or she wears on their bodies.  It’s matching insides to outsides – always a perilous undertaking fraught with error and misunderstandings.  If one thinks it is possible to see a “message” and make judgements about a woman based on what she wears, then it follows that all women everywhere can be judged that way.  So then, what does it mean, mes amis, if a woman wears a short black skirt, a tight blouse and high heels?   What “messages” is she sending?  And are we allowed to treat her differently because of how we interpret her intentions manifested through her fashion sense?

Do we really want to go there?  For that matter, weren’t we there a few decades ago?

The Franco-American Flophouse: The Hijab and Integration.

Filed under Charte des valeurs québécoise, Interculturalisme, Multiculturalism Tagged with , , , , ,

Workplace diversity: ‘To win in your market, you need to hire the market’

2013/10/24 Leave a comment

A good reminder of the business case for a diverse workforce:

“Diversity of thought is really what you’re driving for,” says Ms. Hirji, who has spent years driving and formulating diversity policy at RBC. “There are differences that you want to bring to the table so that you end up with more options and more of a reflection of your clients. To win in your market, you need to hire the market.”

Workplace diversity: ‘To win in your market, you need to hire the market’ – The Globe and Mail.

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Sikh student who won kirpan case now considers leaving Quebec

2013/10/23 Leave a comment

A good update on the person who prompted one of the more significant reasonable accommodation cases before the Supreme Court, Gurbaj Multani, who insisted on his right to wear the ceremonial kirpan to school. The Court ruled in his favour, but imposed conditions (i.e., it had to be  sewn into clothing). Needless to say, the proposed Quebec Charter sends a signal to citizens like Multani that they are not fully welcome or accepted.

Sikh student who won kirpan case now considers leaving Quebec

Filed under Charte des valeurs québécoise, Interculturalisme, Multiculturalism, Religion Tagged with , , , ,

Quebec Values Charter Round-Up

2013/10/23 Leave a comment

Third-party leader François Legault tries to create some space for his party between the PQ and the Liberals in the ongoing Quebec Charter debate, noting the ugly tone and focus on Quebec Muslims, and wanting to find a compromise approach working with the other party leaders. His proposal was quickly rejected by PQ Premier given their wedge-issue electoral strategy.

Legault dénonce le «procès contre la religion musulmane»

Lysiane Gagnon criticizes Quebec Liberal Leader Philippe Coulliard for his recent silence on the Charter.

Liberal values, but no Liberals

A further illustration of the PQ political strategy can be seen in Minister Drainville’s release of the public consultations on the Charter. Like so many governments these days, the consultation process was designed to generate a more favourable result for the government, rather than a more objective reading. Interestingly, lots of support for the removal of the crucifix in the Assemblée nationale, and opposition to cities and sectors having an exemption.

Charte des valeurs: Drainville évoque des changements

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‘It happens all the time’: Patients shouldn’t be allowed to choose doctor based on race, medical group says

2013/10/22 Leave a comment

A good piece on some of the challenges in providing healthcare in a diverse society, provoked by the position paper of the Society of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. While some accommodation is reasonable, when feasible, particularly for elderly patients where language may be an issue, and in some cases gender, being overly accommodating goes against integration, as it removes another touch point among communities. If excessive accommodation is provided, it creates expectations for ongoing and further accommodation.

Again, my experience is that more and more of the people I interact with are from diverse backgrounds. I don’t consider my consent to their providing treatment as me accommodating them, just part of my normal interaction with professionals.

The society’s CEO, Jennifer Blake, said the organization does respect that many people feel more comfortable with a doctor of the same culture, language or gender – “when that can be achieved.”

“The problem really arises in emergency or night coverage when it is simply not possible to accommodate every preference,” said Dr. Blake by email. “We have taken the position that our fundamental responsibility is to ensure that there is a competent, well-trained professional available 24×7.”

‘It happens all the time’: Patients shouldn’t be allowed to choose doctor based on race, medical group says

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An Insider’s View of the Harper Government

2013/10/22 Leave a comment

Another book review, this time by New Canadian Media, my first in the ethnic media. Quote:

Policy Arrogance or Innocent Bias is a must-read for anybody in Canada who is part of the vast immigration sector (nay, industry) or is interested in the sausage-making policy apparatus in Ottawa. It offers unique insight into how Ministers relate to the public service, how bureaucrats try their hardest to have their way in dubious “Yes, Minister” style, and the extent of disconnect between these two pillars of democracy in particularly contentious areas such as citizenship-immigration, environment or foreign affairs. This consummate public servant of 30 years must be given credit for calling it like it is: “After all, governments are elected, whereas public servants are not, and governments are ultimately accountable for their decisions before the public.”

An Insider’s View of the Harper Government

Filed under Citizenship, Government, Multiculturalism, Public Policy Tagged with ,

Policy Arrogance or Innocent Bias: Former DM Reaction

2013/10/19 Leave a comment

A good discussion this week with a group of some 20 former deputy ministers, using my “10 inconvenient truths” framework.

Interesting to hear their views on how previous transitions and relationships compared with the current government. In addition to my points about the sharp ideological contrast and the non-responsiveness of the public service in many cases, participants also noted that the minority nature of the government further exacerbated tension.

Always rewarding to test out one’s ideas with such an experienced group.

Filed under Multiculturalism Tagged with ,

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