Quebec’s values debate is revealing – Articles

2013/09/03 Leave a comment

Starting with a highly critical commentary by Andrew Cohen, arguing that the debate reflects Quebec as an “adolescent” society, then progressing to criticize the federal leaders, save Justin Trudeau, for not taking a strong stand.

Quebec likes to think it looks to Europe. If so, it is becoming less like Europe as a social democracy and more like Europe as an anxious democracy, worried about the challenges of diversity.

Quebec’s values debate is revealing.

In Le Devoir, Jean-Claude Leclerc, provides some useful history to Quebec’s ongoing sensitivity to religion and the other, and is equally critical of the proposed approach:

Personne ne va monter aux barricades au nom du principe de la séparation de l’Église et de l’État. Et surtout, à quoi une autre déclaration sur l’égalité entre les sexes pourrait-elle bien s’appliquer, alors qu’il s’agit, en l’occurrence, d’inégalité visant d’abord et avant tout des femmes. Plus souvent victimes de violence. Plus nombreuses à vivre dans la pauvreté. À devoir se faire proches aidants. Et bien sûr à être encore sous-représentées dans les institutions de l’État, à commencer par l’Assemblée nationale.

Entre-temps, d’aucuns se demanderont sans doute en quoi l’État qui exclut l’Église de la définition des valeurs peut prétendre imposer les siennes à toute une société.

Laïcité et valeurs québécoises – De Maurice Duplessis à Pauline Marois

And another, shorter historical perspective, from Stéphane Baillargeon of Le Devoir, going back five years to the Bouchard-Taylor Commission, noting just how lively the debate is, and while the media plays a role in heightening the issue, the media is also responding to popular concerns.

Charte des valeurs québécoises – Brûler pour ne pas s’éteindre

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The other truth about Trudeau

2013/08/06 Leave a comment

Good to see a healthy debate on the legacy of Trudeau, given that so much writing has had elements of hagiography. Bob Plamondon’s recent The Truth About Trudeau provides a valuable counter-narrative that, like many counter-narratives, may try too hard to make its case. On the other side, Andrew Cohen, emphasizes the long-term impact of  Trudeau’s achievements, particularly the Constitution and the Charter,  and his role, sometimes divisive, in trying to keep the country together.

Like all leaders with a legacy of achievement, views and interpretations will differ, but if Trudeau doesn’t ‘haunt us still,’ his legacy continues to shape the country, in big and small ways.

Even the Conservative government, opposed to much of the Trudeau legacy, has to live within it, sometimes with grace (e.g., the 2008 apology to aboriginal Canadians), sometimes churlishly (e.g., refusing to publicly commemorate the 30th anniversary of the Charter). And the reference to multiculturalism in the Charter (the Canadian ‘brand’) has equally sticking power despite efforts to invoke pluralism as an alternative.

The other truth about Trudeau.

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Canada’s misguided monarchists

2013/07/30 Leave a comment

Andrew Cohen’s take on the monarchy. He makes a valid point about how our general fascination with celebrities, and celebrity culture, overwhelms the substance of the monarchy. But I don’t share the urgency of the ‘natural evolution’ and shedding the monarchy; it is part of our history and heritage, is fully embedded in our institutions, generally works well, and change would be a distraction to more pressing issues. On the other hand, changing the oath ….

Canada’s misguided monarchists.

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