Working site on citizenship and multiculturalism issues.
2013/11/19 Leave a comment
Slow news day for the Quebec Values Charter so ongoing coverage on Fatima Houda-Pepin and her debates within the Liberal Party of Quebec, following yesterday’s Fatima Houda-Pepin: une intellectuelle solitaire | Denis Lessard | Politique québécoise:
Fatima Houda-Pepin est «prête à collaborer» | DENIS LESSARD | Politique québécoise
2013/11/18 1 Comment
A good profile on Fatima Houda-Pepin, the Quebec Liberal Party member of the national assembly that has taken throughout her political career a strong position against fundamentalism, particularly islamic fundamentalism. Having been on a study tour with her and others of the Dutch experience with integration and diversity, have a lot of respect for her experience and understanding of the issues:
Fatima Houda-Pepin: une intellectuelle solitaire | Denis Lessard | Politique québécoise.
And some other articles on her relations within the Liberal party:
Sortie de Fatima Houda-Pepin – Là où va le Québec | Le Devoir
Fatima Houda-Pepin invitée à revenir au PLQ | Katia Gagnon | Politique québécoise
The third party in Quebec, the CAQ, after saying they would accept a candidate wearing a chador (the Iranian garment covering the body but not the face), have reversed their position:
Tchador: François Legault fait marche arrière | Martin Ouellet | Politique québécoise
The most sensible commentary was by Graeme Hamilton in The National Post, noting just how hypothetical and unlikely this possibility would be:
The obsession with the chador brings to mind the absurd code of living adopted in 2007 by the small town of Hérouxville, Que., laying down the law against a host of imagined threats posed by newcomers. Among other things, the code declared that it is forbidden to stone women, burn them alive or throw acid on them, that alcohol and dancing are permitted and that “the only time you may mask or cover your face is during Halloween.”
True, there have been no public stonings in Hérouxville since the code was adopted. For that, its authors must be proud. Similarly, if the dust ever settles over the PQ values charter, Ms. Marois will be able to look out at a chador-free National Assembly and pat herself on the back.
2013/11/14 Leave a comment
In terms of the internal dynamic within the CAQ, a reminder that, given their rural base, and that the PQ is targeting rural voters, has many members close to the PQ position on the Charter:
An unfortunate example of Godwin’s law when a Parti liberal de Quebec member of the national assembly made an allusion to Nazi prohibitions in talking about the Charter. Xenophobic yes, exclusionary yes, but Godwin’s law applies: if one makes a Nazi comparison, one has lost the argument:
And a “réplique” to Daniel Turp on his casualness in the use of the notwithstanding clause to permit the Charter by Jean-Pierre Proulx, noting that:
Par un étonnant retour des choses, c’est aujourd’hui cette même mouvance laïque qui propose de recourir à une clause dérogatoire. Même si on veut la noyer, comme le fait le professeur Turp, dans une clause générale, la liberté qui sera en fait visée est celle et uniquement celle de la liberté de conscience et de religion. Il vaudrait mieux le dire clairement, même si c’est très gênant.
Ce sera en effet très embarrassant face à l’opinion internationale. Car, non seulement provoquera-t-on ici une crise politique (renouvelable tous les cinq ans !), mais il faudra tôt ou tard faire face à la contestation qui sera faite de cette clause devant le Comité des droits de l’homme des Nations unies. Et ici, sa réprobation ne soulève guère de doute. En effet, il y a une dizaine d’années, ce même Comité a statué que les privilèges accordés aux seuls catholiques et protestants par l’article 93 de la Loi constitutionnelle de 1867 étaient, malgré leur inscription dans la Constitution canadienne, discriminatoires.
C’est ce même comité qui, rappelons-le, a aussi condamné Québec pour avoir interdit l’affichage bilingue dans la loi 101 et pour y avoir ajouté une clause dérogatoire après s’être fait condamner par la Cour suprême du Canada. Et Québec a reculé.
Devant un mur, il est généralement préférable de reculer et de trouver une autre issue.
2013/11/12 Leave a comment
Consistent yes, but wrong also, banning PQ candidates from wearing religious symbols. “Harmony” indeed, according to Premier Marois. Quebec Liberal Party calling this one correctly, as they have been throughout the Charter debates and discussions.
And a reminder of the xenophobic current behind the third party in Quebec (CAQ, formerly ADQ), which provoked the original reasonable accommodation debate over 5 years ago and the Bouchard-Taylor Commission.
2013/11/08 Leave a comment
Some reactions to the tabling of the proposed Quebec Charter, starting with the leader of the provincial liberal party (who has been consistent throughout the debate):
A good summary of reactions by Quebec associations and groups to the tabling of the Charter, with the same groups opposed as before given the hardening of the provisions of the Charter:
Charte: des associations réagissent | Pierre Saint-Arnaud | Politique québécoise
Charte – Les communautésculturelles déçues
And commentary by Gérard Bouchard and Charles Taylor, reiterating their opposition to the Charter:
Charles Taylor et Gérard Bouchard dénoncent une charte nuisible
And from federal politicians,
Federal politicians of all stripes denounce Quebec values bill
2013/11/07 Leave a comment
Although the official reason for the 28 word title is to blame the lawyers, strikes me some focus group targeted messaging at play.
PQ values charter gets a new, 28-word name – Canada, Need to know – Macleans.ca
And the actual tabling of the bill shows few surprises, with only the healthcare sector getting a renewable exemption:
La Charte des «valeurs de laïcité» est déposée
The actual text:
Click image for book purchase
Multicultural Meanderings 