In Justin Trudeau’s world, Christians need not apply

2014/06/26 Leave a comment

An odd post by Rex Murphy on religion and politics, prompted by Justin Trudeau’s decision that Liberal party candidates and MPs must toe the party line on abortion:

What kind of politics are they which require an MP to renounce his deepest moral commitments; indeed, to go beyond renunciation and declare himself positively in favour of ideas and actions that his faith condemns, his Church forbids, and his conscience cannot abide?

Religion, under these conditions, cannot survive political engagement. An understanding of politics based on an exclusion of thoughtful and engaged religious people — on the rejection of ideas and understandings offered by the great religious teachers and the massive legacy of thought our churches have to offer — is radically incomplete.

As things now are, a truly religious person must actually stay out of politics — must forgo an active role in democratic government — because in our brazen and new age, he or she will be faced with irreconcilable moral choices. If elected, he or she will be required to betray their faith and themselves, and on those very issues that matter most: issues of life, family, autonomy and the dignity of persons.

Whatever one’s views on abortion, the broader issue, as Rex points out, is the relationship between religion and politics. But his view breaks down when we look at other religions, where I suspect he would be less absolutist.

Would Rex support a party allowing an Islamist candidate opposed to equality for women? Advocating for sharia?

What about traditional Sikh or Jewish candidates who disagree with equality for LGBT persons?

What is different about Catholic orthodoxy compared to other orthodoxies that makes it more unchallengeable?

In the public arena, one has to temper one’s personal religious beliefs with the reality of living in a diverse, multicultural and pluralistic society. Most leaders get this and it is no accident that PM Harper has kept his social conservatives in line on abortion and other issues.

This is not to diminish the moral, ethical and faith dilemmas that abortion and other social issues pose for politicians, but it’s part of the “job description.” And there are plenty of ways to live your faith on a wide variety of other economic and social policy issues.

Rex Murphy: In Justin Trudeau’s world, Christians need not apply

 

 

 

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Le ministre Kenney appuie le projet de charte de Couillard | Charte de la laïcité

2014/04/11 Leave a comment

Federal reactions to Premier-elect Couillard’s proposed Chartre de laicité. Minister Kenney focussing on the proposed ban on receiving government services for women wearing the niqab/burqa, other federal leaders expressing general confidence that a reasonable approach will be taken without commenting on the specifics:

«J’ai toujours dit que ce serait inadmissible pour un fonctionnaire fédéral de traiter un client, un citoyen à visage couvert», a déclaré le ministre fédéral du Multiculturalisme.

M. Kenney dit n’avoir jamais entendu parler d’un tel cas au fédéral, mais qu’on lui avait rapporté que des personnes avaient prêté serment de citoyenneté canadienne le visage caché. Il affirme avoir ensuite publié une règle pour interdire cette pratique.

Le ministre de Stephen Harper avait dans le passé été cinglant envers le projet de charte des valeurs québécoises du gouvernement péquiste. Il avait même dit que le fédéral irait devant les tribunaux pour protéger les droits des minorités religieuses si la charte ne respectait pas les droits et libertés des citoyens.

Quant à savoir pourquoi l’interdiction du voile le choquait et non pas celle d’interdire le visage couvert, il a expliqué que l’usage pour les femmes musulmanes de cacher leur visage n’est pas une pratique religieuse, mais bien une «coutume culturelle».

Minister Kenney’s position evolved over time; initially, he appeared to give more weight to religious freedom when the niqab issue was first raised in the 2007-08 Quebec debates on reasonable accommodation (I cover this in chapter 5 of my book, Policy Arrogance or Innocent Bias: Resetting Citizenship and Multiculturalism).

Le ministre Kenney appuie le projet de charte de Couillard | Stéphanie Marin | Charte de la laïcité.

Within the PQ, the start of some reflection regarding the Charter, and it will be interesting to see how they position themselves with respect to the upcoming Liberal version, and whether they use that to turn the page on what was a cynical and divisive election strategy:

Le problème qu’a posé la Charte des valeurs en campagne électorale est abordé de front dans un texte rendu public hier par Jean-François Lisée sur son blogue. Hier, le ministre sortant refusait de préciser sa pensée en entrevue; le texte suffit, a-t-il expliqué. Dans son texte, Lisée relève que les stratèges péquistes auraient pu centrer davantage la campagne sur les questions identitaires comme la Charte et la langue. Le projet de charte aurait été mieux accueilli avec un bouquet de mesures favorables à l’immigration. Surtout, la proposition aurait nécessité «un ensemble cohérent et plus attractif».

Accessoirement, comme l’ex-ministre Joseph Facal, Lisée estime aussi qu’il aurait fallu encadrer étroitement la sortie de Janette Bertrand en fin de campagne. Mme Marois, qui a louvoyé et dit que des femmes congédiées pour leur voile obtiendraient de l’aide du gouvernement pour se recaser dans le secteur privé, n’a pas aidé. «Une meilleure gestion, en amont, de la question des congédiements n’aurait certes pas nui non plus», observe Lisée.

Dans l’analyse la plus fine jusqu’ici des causes de la déroute péquiste de lundi, Lisée explique que les stratèges de la campagne péquiste, dont il ne faisait pas partie, prend-il soin de préciser, étaient convaincus que l’entrée en scène de Pierre Karl Péladeau allait attirer des sympathisants caquistes au PQ. Une «présomption raisonnable», observe Lisée.

Les langues se délient au PQ

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More commentary on Quebec elections

2014/04/09 Leave a comment

Starting with Gilles Duceppe, former leader of the Bloq québécois, the sovereignist party that imploded in the 2011 federal election:

Plusieurs parlent déjà de course au leadership, mais cela serait une grave erreur de tenter de choisir un sauveur sans se poser d’importantes questions sur les objectifs du parti, sans définir une stratégie claire et sans se demander si un changement de garde ne s’impose pas en considérant que le PQ a perdu beaucoup d’attrait auprès des jeunes.

Quelques observations au lendemain d’une défaite | Gilles Duceppe.

Justin Trudeau stating the obvious but what some pundits overlook:

En point de presse ce matin à Ottawa, M. Trudeau a soutenu qu’il y aura toujours des Québécois qui prôneront l’option souverainiste. Les fédéralistes feraient donc une erreur de croire que ce mouvement est à l’agonie.

« Il ne faut pas dire cela (que le mouvement souverainiste est mort). Il faut reconnaître qu’il y a des gens qui vont demeurer passionnément souverainistes.  Mais les Québécois se sont exprimés. Même une partie des Québécois souverainistes ont dit qu’ils veulent de la stabilité, qu’ils veulent une économie en santé d’abord et avant tout. J’ai confiance que c’est ce que nous allons avoir pour les prochaines années », a dit M. Trudeau.

Le mouvement souverainiste n’est pas mort, prévient Trudeau

Barbara Kay on the five lessons. Not sure that this is a “triumph” for PM Harper although he, along with other federal leaders, handled it well be staying out and letting the PQ implode on its own. But it is a relief to be spared national unity debates for 4 years, although some issues will continue to arise:

Could it be sweeter that Marois lost her own riding, and that she had to wait to the very last moment to know if she had won or lost, it was that close? Could it be more appropriate that Péladeau should have won his riding, so he has no excuse to walk away from the mess he created, and now must serve his four years with no power and no honour? He hasn’t a hope in hell of being awarded the leadership of the PQ. Gives new depth of meaning to the old saying, “hoist by his own petard.”

Five takeaways from a brutal Parti Québécois defeat

Another “takeaways” piece by Tu Thanh Ha in the Globe:

And in the quasi-referendum campaign that just ended, Quebeckers again sent a clear signal that they didn’t want to hear about the PQ’s raison d’être.

The PQ’s leadership is now open for contest but the problem of such contests is that they start with an audience of the converted, especially in an ideological party like the PQ.

The three pretenders’ eagerness to profess their sovereigntist credentials was necessary, but it struck outsiders as awkward – a reminder of the very reason why some voters are turned off by the PQ.

“The body wasn’t even cold,” veteran TV commentator Jean Lapierre quipped.

 Three reasons the PQ lost, and Couillard’s biggest challenge 

And an interesting eloge on Pauline Marois by Jean-François Lisée, former PQ Minister responsible for Montreal (where the PQ also had disastrous results) which may be tactical as he is one of the contenders to replace Marois:

Alors tu peux prendre tes quartiers de printemps avec le sentiment — non, pas le sentiment, la certitude — du devoir accompli. De la fidélité à tes convictions. Tu laisses derrière toi une équipe formidable. Trente députés que tu as choisis et qui t’ont choisie. Une base militante que tu as reformée et ressoudée. Malgré la défaite: le plus grand parti au Québec avec 90 000 membres et un financement populaire inégalé.

Il y a du ressort, dans cette défaite. Le ressort que tu as mis en nous. Il y aura beaucoup d’introspection à faire, dans les semaines et les mois qui viennent. Il y aura du découragement, des débats, des mauvaises humeurs. Puis le sens des recommencements, des consensus, des choix, de l’action.

Ce ne sera pas facile. Mais si nous avons le centième de ta sagesse et de ton courage, nous franchirons ces étapes en nous nourrissant de l’exemple que tu nous as donné toute ta vie durant.

Repose-toi, Pauline. Très chère Pauline. Tu l’as bien mérité. Nous t’emportons avec nous, tu fais partie de nous, dès maintenant et pour très longtemps.

Perhaps the necessary kind words before the PQ undertakes the serious reflection needed following its lowest share of the popular vote since 1970. And possible self-serving given his role in the campaign and related strategy.

Très chère Pauline

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Charte des valeurs québécoises – Round-up

2013/09/14 Leave a comment

Starting with some political analysis on how this is playing out on the national and provincial stage. Some good insights on the leadership styles – strengths and weakness – of both federal leaders in Quebec. My own take is that while both ended up in the same place, first mover advantage Trudeau.

On PQ charter, Trudeau and Mulcair take different paths to condemnation – The Globe and Mail.

John Ibbitson of The Globe notes the political challenges and calculations for the government, and why they have hewed to a more cautious approach while being clear on their fundamental opposition:

Can Tories put the heat on Quebec over its secular charter without getting burned?

Andrew Coyne argues that the PQ may have over-reached, and may have as much support in the end as it counted on. And bang on implications and implementation:

But not to worry, the minister responsible, Bernard Drainville, assures us: “It will be done humanely.” But of course. They will not be told to get out in a cruel way, but with care, compassion, or what the minister calls “good old common sense.” It will simply be made clear to these people, as kindly as the occasion permits, that, notwithstanding their years of blameless service, their continued employment is incompatible with Quebec’s common values — that their insistence on wearing the yarmulke or the turban, in accordance with the deepest teachings of their faith, has become a source of “tension” and “division,” and that for that reason they will have to find other work.

Far from certain Quebecers will side with PQ on values charter

Tabatha Southey does a funny yet serious take on the approach, citing her mother, following hair loss due to chemo, reached out to the Muslim Canadian community for help in wearing a scarf elegantly.

The Quebec charter: Maman, qu’est-ce qu’un turban?

 And Maria Mourani, former Bloc MP, who left the party and questions her faith in sovereignty given the divisiveness of the Charte and the implications for her vision of an open, inclusive and independent Quebec. Her action, and criticism of other indépendentistes like her of the Charte, may help Quebec get past the identity politics. One can aim for rural Quebec; one can’t ignore Montréal.

Mourani remet en question sa foi en la souveraineté

And a good summary in The Globe about Quebec’s francophone press reaction, largely negative:

What Quebec’s francophone media thinks of the secular charter 

Lastly, some general opinion pieces. Starting with Conrad Black reminding us of the role the Catholic Church played for most of Quebec’s history in preserving Quebec’s francophone culture and society (he glosses over the less savoury aspects):

Spurning Quebec’s proud Catholic roots

And a couple of opinion pieces (Brian Lee Crowley, André Schutten) that blur the lines between what people wear and performing their job. It is one thing to express one’s faith; it is another thing to expect that one’s duties on the job should accommodate those beliefs.

As public servants, we have an obligation to serve all citizens, and provide the required services of the government. We cannot pick and choose; we can likely however find alternative work within government without such matter of conscience issues. And if we can’t, we should work elsewhere.

Quebec charter wrong in execution, not principle

Who is calling the kettle black over Quebec values?

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More on the Charte des valeurs québécoise – Round-up

2013/09/12 Leave a comment

Starting with the dirty little secret of just how poor Quebec’s record on integrating newcomers into the government workforce – only 2 percent, compared to close to 9 percent visible minority population (2006 Census). Not surprisingly, the SFPQ union supports the Charte, as it reinforces their existing membership base.

La Charte vise moins de 2 % des fonctionnaires | Le Devoir.

PQ gets backing of civil-servants’ union for religion plan

Premier Marois maintains that the Charte is équilibrée (​Laïcité – Pauline Marois affirme que sa proposition est équilibrée) and the PQ presses the private sector to follow the government’s lead on secular workplaces (PQ presses private sector to follow its lead on secular workplaces).

But more on the divisions within Quebec on the Charte. This ranges from Montreal, Quebec’s most diverse city, but Western Quebec, next to Ottawa, and diverse, remains undecided. And various groups, including sovereigntists, also expressing opposition:

Charte des valeurs: l’île de Montréal se rebiffe

 Charter widens rifts between mayors, PQ and sovereigntists

Charte des valeurs: les CPE (Centres de la petite enfance) divisés 

West Quebec institutions undecided on ‘opting out’ of Charter of Values

Charte des valeurs: les indépendantistes divisés

Charte des valeurs québécoises – Les souverainistes divisés

Québec inclusif – Engouement pour le manifeste anti-Charte

Couillard veut scinder la «charte de la chicane» pour l’adopter

And some more general commentary, starting with some good political analysis, particularly from Paul Wells:

Charter of values: Old dogs, nous tricks

PQ’s tower of babble

Marois’s Charter of Values is more about electoral politics than sovereignty

Who actually applauded Quebec’s values charter?

And a good discussion about federal paternalism, acknowledging the vigorous debate within Quebec but without reference to the legitimate federal role, grounded in the Constitution and the Charter of Rights and Freedoms, but the universal declaration of human rights and other instruments.

Given the strength of the debate and controversy within Quebec, the PQ may have over-reached. I would be curious to know the advice of the public servants on the proposal – likely not comfortable given the ideological and political basis for the Charte:

Le paternalisme fédéral

Charter of Quebec values on collision course with Constitution?

And Justin Trudeau, Liberal leader who was first off the mark criticizing the Charte, has an op ed expressing faith that Quebeckers will reject the proposal, with Patrick Lagacé noting the politics of the initiative:

 Justin Trudeau writes: I have faith in Quebec. So should you 

The PQ’s not racist – just running scared

And a reminder that the French approach, which Quebec sometimes to draw from without due consideration of how Quebec has a history of generally successfully integrating immigrants from countries as diverse as Ireland, Italy, Portugal, Haiti, with some of the more recent waves of immigrants having more challenges (as happens elsewhere):

Quebec charter of values plan could take a few pages from France: Don Murray

And a sensible call to pursue the Bouchard-Taylor recommendation of a white paper and consultations to have an informed discussion and debate, rather than what appears to be an ad hoc electoral and divisive strategy of throwing out poorly conceived ideas and proposals. On the other hand, that may help kill the Charte.

La Charte des valeurs – L’espace du compromis

Expect that coverage will quieten over the next few weeks until the parliamentary and related processes pick up. But I have been wrong before!

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Daily round-up on Charte des valeurs québécoises

2013/08/30 Leave a comment

Usual daily round-up, starting with expression of concern from Prime Minister Harper:

Charte des valeurs: «le gouvernement souverainiste cherche la chicane avec Ottawa», dit Harper | Stéphanie Marin | Politique.

Followed by a nice contrast piece between PM Harper’s caution and Liberal Leader Justin Trudeau’s forthright and clear position, and where he drew parallels between MLK’s I have a dream speech and the implied segregation of the proposed Charter. This of course inflamed some of the Quebec intelligentsia and politicians, but Trudeau has a point:

A tale of two politicians: Harper and Trudeau wade into controversial Quebec issue

And the réplique (and ongoing sensitivity about the Trudeau legacy and family) in Quebec:

Charte des valeurs: Lisée lance un appel au calme

The Quebec Liberal Party seems to be holding to its position against the proposed Charter:

Signes religieux: Couillard réaffirme la position traditionnelle du PLQ

And lastly – if you have lasted this long – short commentary by Charles Taylor, one of the leading philosophers and thinkers on multiculturalism, and how he despairs of the political class and its limited world view:

La question est de savoir qui va rédiger cette charte. Si c’est rédigé par l’Assemblée nationale actuelle, je n’en veux pas. [gras] Ce sont des gens qui ont des idées tellement bornées…dans la plupart des cas. Ça me fait pleurer comme Québécois d’entendre ce qu’eux entendent par laïcité.

Les fines nuances de Charles Taylor

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Charte des valeurs québécoises: Articles

2013/08/23 Leave a comment

Another series of articles on the proposed Charte des valeurs québécoises.

First, confirmation that the government plans to go ahead, and leak is likely more than trial balloon:

Charte des valeurs québécoises: Drainville dit unir les Québécois | Paul Journet | Politique québécoise.

Quatre conditions pour un accommodement raisonnable

Secondly, a piece by Jocelyn Maclure, quoted in a CBC interview earlier, speaks strongly of the risks and dangers of such a rigid, exclusionary approach, and notes the false assumption that the Canadian and Quebec charters of rights allow every form of accommodation, where the reality is different:

Charte des valeurs québécoises – Le jeu dangereux du Parti québécois

And from the English media, Farzana Hassan, former president of the secular Muslim Canadian Congress, a harsh critique, particularly interesting how consistently strong the MCC has been on secularism:

More xenophobia from PQ’s Marois

And a few pieces on some of the broader ethical and rights issues involved from professors of religion and ethics: Ian Henderson and Margaret Somerville:

 The state cannot decide what is a religious symbol

Op-Ed: Quebec bans religion from the public square (I do disagree with her definition of ‘freedom from religion’; religious freedom applies to all, whether they are believers or non-believers, the issue is whether or not the government allows people this freedom.

On the federal political level, interesting to see how this plays out. One leader has been clear and categorical against it (Trudeau, the same week as his marijuana revelations), the Prime Minister has ducked the issue but the real Minister for multiculturalism, Jason Kenney, issued a strong tweet, and the NDP and official opposition leader has also ducked, saying he will await the actual bill before commenting. Not inspiring leadership that. 

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Justin Trudeau’s honour-killing unease fans cultural-relativist flames – The Globe and Mail

2013/03/03 Leave a comment

Justin Trudeau’s honour-killing unease fans cultural-relativist flames – The Globe and Mail.

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