Once in awhile the rest of Canada gets riled up when The nation within a nation sets its own agenda without any regards to the Canadian Charter of rights . The recent introduction to the proposed Charter of Values seems to have ruffled a lot of feathers . For those of us who have lived here for a lifetime we have seen a slow erosion of the rights of the minorities for a long time. Apart from the Amerinds and Inuit no special clause enacted to allow the preservation of language is insured in bill 101 to any other culture. Through legislation which for the most part has been challenged in courts Quebec has been able to slowly erode the rights of others in order to preserve their culture with little or no opposition from the rest of Canada. Apart from being guaranteed English in the courts of law in Quebec you would be hard pressed to find that guarantee anywhere else. Symbolism has been a thorn in the side of the nation within a nation. It breaks no written law yet makes a statement. Whether it is a symbol hanging from a sign post or a turban on the head of a Muslim it offends the basic respect for the good of all. There is no room here within the collective for symbolism. We must all be one. The nail that stands out will be hammered down. The problem however is due to the decrease in the Francophone population , immigration was the only way to insure stability for future generations. But with the arrival of other cultures of coarse they will bring their religions and symbols of it to the place they choose as home. This does not sit well with the ideals set forth in the Charter of Values. It is seen as a symbol of disrespect through the eyes that govern. Erosion takes time, it is patient and steady. But for those who have tried to integrate into this society yet maintain our culture it has been met with resistance and inequality . From the French Language Law in 1974 through bill 101 and now this proposal of a Charter of Values it has been more than a challenge to say the least. I am convinced this charter of Values will not pass into legislation but I think they knew that before it was tabled. The purpose was to send a message that all are welcome but our values supersede yours. Not even granite can stop erosion nor legislation protect a people. The winds of change and the waters of life will form their own paths regardless of what boundaries we set before them. Embrace it , nurture it and understand it. Nothing stays the same not even a people.
Posted on: Sat, 14 Sep 2013 23:21:11 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015