As a white, stereotypical female and a Montreal-born male Canadian living in B.C., we cannot begin to understand how the PQ’s Charter of Values has made it this far. It is mind blowing. Someone needs to stop this before it becomes a crisis.
We believe that onus falls on the rest of Canadians. The world is watching.
If the PQ wants to push through a such a government submissive, mono-cultural and downright prejudice Charter of Values, maybe the rest of English-speaking Canada should push to preserve our heritage that does not include Quebec’s French values.
Shall we make it imperative they speak only English in hospitals, daycares and schools as this is our dominant value throughout the rest of Canada? Wouldn’t make you feel very included or valued, would it Mme. Marois?
When we step into our local hospital, drop one of our children off with their teacher (minority or not) or pass through our local supermarket, we do not pay attention to the religious affiliation of the person.
In fact, if we do notice, we fight the urge to ask questions because we are interested in their story — how their family came to be here, what their beliefs are, their journey.
It makes us proud to be Canadian and that they would choose us.
If Mme. Marois is choosing to take this charter any further, maybe the rest of Canada should bring back the separation referendum and all Canadians be allowed to vote on whether or not we choose, as a country, to include a province that chooses to persecute the values and rights of all Canadians that do not fit Mme. Marois’ mold of cultural perfection.
Mme. Marois, realize everyone is a minority in someway and somewhere, unless you are of First Nations heritage.
Recognize that your province will be a big black growth on the globe of economics. No global commerce or economic growth is going to look at Quebec as a viable choice for business opportunities with policies that create an exclusive environment that is inhospitable to anyone other than your cookie-cutter Quebecer.
In a province that enjoys 54 per cent of the GDP, noting the highest gross debt in Canada as well as weak economic growth forecasted at less than 1.5 per cent, maybe Mme. Marois should consider not scaring away Quebec’s immigrant population that is holding her provincial employee demographic together.
However, if she chooses to follow through with such a charter, I am sure there are many provinces that would have open arms to the religious refugees Quebec will have created.
Natalie Preston and Rejean L. Gosselin
Vernon
