The Quebec government has released plans for a "values charter" that would impose unique-in-North America restrictions on religious clothing for employees at all government institutions starting with schools, hospitals and courts.
If adopted by the legislature, the plan would apply to the hijabs, kippas, turbans and large crucifixes worn by more religious public servants.
That would mean a career-vs-religion dilemma for civil authorities like judges, police, and prosecutors; public daycare workers; teachers and school employees; hospital workers; municipal personnel; and employees at state-run liquor stores and the auto-insurance board.
Last night, The National's Terence McKenna had a report on the implications of this very restrictive and discriminatory legislation that will likely see a massive outflow of visible minorities who are the target of this repugnant measure. Take a few minutes to watch it and see what you think:
France passed similar legislation under Nicolas Sarkozy. I believe that was aimed at Muslim women. Why should Quebec be left behind? It looks Quebec has the expanded version. Quebec is taking lead in this kind of discrimination against minorities. Power does corrupt. What happened to multiculturalism and tolerance?
ReplyDeleteit appears that multiculturalism and tolerance are becoming foreign concepts in La Belle Province, LeDaro.
DeleteFor years I have argued with fellow leftists concerning the deeply troubling racist implications of the PQ effort to "protect" French 'culture' and language. While many leftists have been apologists for these efforts, I have consistently argued that even if such efforts start out with good intentions they quickly become the cudgel of racists and the underlying racism that so often lay buried just beneath the surface of society. Sadly, I believe with the introduction of this so-called charter of 'values' I have resoundingly won that long standing argument. I would have much rather have been wrong. It would be the worst kind of wilful ignorance now to see the PQ as anything less than a racist party much like the 'tea-baggers' in places like California who ram though so-called 'English only' laws. You cannot build-up language and culture through hate and fear, and you cannot legislate 'values.'
ReplyDeleteWell-said, Kirby. People of fair mind everywhere should be appalled by this legislation, and I agree that it will only set the simmering racists to full boil. Marois and her ilk should be ashamed of themselves.
DeleteLorne and Kirby Evans, it is interesting that three Prime Ministers who promoted multiculturalism were from Quebec - Pierre Eliot Trudeau, Brian Mulroney and Jean Chretien. But it had no impact on Quebec and it is becoming f*CK*&G more racist. Maybe people don't know that Mulroney was strong promoter of multiculturism - his wife is from Serbia. Her Godfather lives a few doors from me and he is quite a different story from Mrs. Mulroney - he is a Serbian too.
ReplyDeleteSadly, LeDaro, Quebec has always regarded its 'special status' within Confederation as giving it license for outrageous and discriminatory laws. Their stance on language comes immediately to mind. Trudeau was admired in some quarters and reviled in others for his refusal to treat Quebec as the exception it sees itself as. I just hope that this Purity Charter does not unleash a Pandora's Box of prejudice.
DeleteI'm an atheist, and I value a secular society in as much that it remains neutral on matters of religion and doesn't promote one over the other. I would never tell anyone as an employer or legislator that they could not wear articles that reflected their religiou8s or cultural values as long as it wasn't used to directly proselytize others or promote their religion over others or insult, harm, or attack others. I find it beyond laughable and hypocritical that Pauline "Janus" Marois can claim that the large crucifix hanging in the Quebec National Assemby is a tribute to "Quebec heritage and culture" (ahh, yes, the halcyon horrors of the Duplessis years, aka "The Great Darkness") while saying that the very personal symbols of religious minorities are somehow not cultural and unworthy. I think if you were to scratch Marois, you'd find a doctrinaire, howling "white makes right" bigot beneath...
ReplyDeleteN.
Well-said, as always, Neil. While I personally believe that all religions are very imperfect human constructs pointing to a transcendental truth, I agree that none should be proselytizing but should be allowed to wear the symbols that they hold sacred. It is very difficult to escape the conclusion you have drawn about Marois' motivations here. That, and of course her desire to find a wedge issue that will encourage the Quebecois to readopt a garrison mentality vis-à-vis the rest of Canada.
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