| Ricky Blue's Other Life |
 Ricky Blue  Ricky Blue was born in Liverpool, England, but raised in Maine, New Jersey, and Toronto. He has an MA in English from Concordia University. He has been involved in bands and media music in Montreal for over twenty years. In 1981 he won an international 'Clio' award for excellence in advertising. He once appeared on television naked. His life had no real meaning, however, until he began to play with Bowser and Blue. Rick plays guitar, mandolin, and harmonica, and sings in a rather pleasant baritone when George will let him. His columns are archived here |
Posted 04.08.05 Education in Quebec rights? Say what?
It doesn't make sense. The Supreme Court of Canada judged that francophones in Quebec don't have the same rights as anglophones.
*** I know.
But aren't francophones outraged?
*** No. They would have been outraged if the Supreme Court had given them back their rights. There would have demonstrations. Riots in the streets. Threats of separation. But now that they still don't have the same rights as anglophones the crisis has been averted.
*** Wait a minute. Are you saying that francophones actually want to have fewer rights than anglophones?
*** Yes. They fought for years to have fewer rights than anglophones. Bill 101, the law that makes sure they have fewer rights, is considered their defining legal achievement. It is untouchable. An article of faith.
*** That doesn't make sense. Most people fight to have more rights.
*** Not here.
*** So if francophones were allowed to choose the language of instruction for their kids they would choose English?
*** That's why Bill 101 forbids it.
*** But that proves that they want to be able to choose to send their kids to English school.
*** Polls actually show that most francophones DO want freedom of choice.
*** So why do they constantly elect governments that deny them this freedom?
*** Because they think that they have to be protected from themselves.
*** So they WANT to be prevented from doing what they WANT?
*** Yes.
*** But shouldn't each individual be free to decide what is good for him or herself?
*** You've been watching too many American movies.
*** But it doesn't make sense. Don't they pay the same school taxes?
*** Yes.
*** And they don't get the same rights?
*** No.
*** But doesn't the Canadian Charter of Rights protect their rights?
*** Only if they are a minority.
*** But in Canada they are a minority: less than one-quarter of the population.
*** But in Quebec they are a majority.
*** So even though they are a minority in Canada they don't qualify for minority rights because in Quebec they are a majority?
*** Yes.
*** That doesn't make sense. Who challenged the law?
*** A small group of francophones wanted to have the same rights as anglophones. They know that speaking English is a huge advantage in the job marketplace. They think it's unfair that anglos get to be bilingual but they don't.
*** What will happen now?
*** They'll take their complaint to the United Nations. And because anyone can see that it is unfair, the UN will probably say that it is unfair.
*** Don't francophones want that?
*** No. They don't want the UN to say it's unfair. Because that might influence the Quebec government to relax the law. Then they would be able to do what they want to do. And that would never do.
*** That doesn't make sense. Look, most of Quebec's elite is bilingual. How do they do it?
*** They can afford to send their kids to private schools.
*** So it is really only the poor francophones who don't have these rights?
*** Yes.
*** But that's not fair. That would ensure that Quebec continues to be dominated by a rich, autocratic elite that has more rights than the general population simply because they can afford them.
*** Aha. Now does it make sense? |
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