Motion Sickness
Last night, people like Rex Murphy and Michael Chong were making the argument that the concept of Canada is based on inclusiveness and not on favouring certain "ethnicities". Rex Murphy even went so far as to say that all MPPs in Ottawa should be asserting the nationhood of Canada over any symbolic support of specific ethnic groups.
Did these guys grow up in the same country as I did? Because the last time I checked, our CONSTITUTION recognized French as one of the two distinct national languages of Canada. Now, if enshrining the linguistic representation of a culture in the supreme law of a land is not favouring one - or in this case, two- ethnicities, I really don't know what the hell is.
I don't understand why they didn't just come out and say that they do not support bilingualism, because that would be the absolute logical extension of their arguments.
Look, the British did not have the will (money?) at a certain stage of their colonial expansion to crush the French and their culture and force them to assimilate into a monolithic Anglo mold. It is a legacy we have to live with, but it is also a mixed blessing. We have to ask ourselves: Would we be so tolerant of other ethnic groups if the French and English hadn't have set such a cohabitative (and codependent) example? I say no. That division has made us stronger and unique.
Reluctantly, I have to side with Harper in this case. Even though his reasons for initiating this motion were less than altruistic, it seems a much more effective way of dealing with the endless volleys from the Pirate Ship Bloc than the vague, two-faced don't-upset-anyone leadership of days of yore. I wasn't one of those jackasses who marched to Montreal during the last referendum chanting "Canada loves you", but I do generally like living next to them and am willing to do so for the foreseable future. I suspect most Quebecers and Canadians for that matter feel the same in their hearts.
Let's just get the fuck on with it.
Addendum: We can't simply view this age old division in the context of the past. For a fascinating discussion about how technology is reshaping our culture/governments and pushed minority groups like Quebec to demand recognition of their otherness, you may want to check out this interview with Marshall McLuhan's son Eric (click HERE).
Did these guys grow up in the same country as I did? Because the last time I checked, our CONSTITUTION recognized French as one of the two distinct national languages of Canada. Now, if enshrining the linguistic representation of a culture in the supreme law of a land is not favouring one - or in this case, two- ethnicities, I really don't know what the hell is.
I don't understand why they didn't just come out and say that they do not support bilingualism, because that would be the absolute logical extension of their arguments.
Look, the British did not have the will (money?) at a certain stage of their colonial expansion to crush the French and their culture and force them to assimilate into a monolithic Anglo mold. It is a legacy we have to live with, but it is also a mixed blessing. We have to ask ourselves: Would we be so tolerant of other ethnic groups if the French and English hadn't have set such a cohabitative (and codependent) example? I say no. That division has made us stronger and unique.
Reluctantly, I have to side with Harper in this case. Even though his reasons for initiating this motion were less than altruistic, it seems a much more effective way of dealing with the endless volleys from the Pirate Ship Bloc than the vague, two-faced don't-upset-anyone leadership of days of yore. I wasn't one of those jackasses who marched to Montreal during the last referendum chanting "Canada loves you", but I do generally like living next to them and am willing to do so for the foreseable future. I suspect most Quebecers and Canadians for that matter feel the same in their hearts.
Let's just get the fuck on with it.
Addendum: We can't simply view this age old division in the context of the past. For a fascinating discussion about how technology is reshaping our culture/governments and pushed minority groups like Quebec to demand recognition of their otherness, you may want to check out this interview with Marshall McLuhan's son Eric (click HERE).
posted by K-Dough at 3:07 PM
19 Comments:
Great link K-man.
I have a couple of thoughts on the Quebec thing:
Here is Michael Chong's job description from his website-
"As Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs, Michael has responsibility for issues concerning national unity, for issues concerning federal-provincial-territorial relations, for constitutional and legal issues relating to the evolution of Confederation...."
He was NOT CONSULTED before Harper made his motion. There's an inclusive, non-bullying, "we're going to do things differently" regime if I've ever seen one!
- The Bloc should be treated like a pest, but Harper has now validated their voice with his clever word-play. Sure they're not doing the dance the Bloc wanted, but the Bloc is calling the fucking tune. Now nothing of any consequence or importance will be accomplished in the next few months. Merry Christmas.
I don't necessarily see a problem with promoting the nationhood of Canada over the "symbolic support of specific ethnic groups."
However, I don't see the French within Canada as a specific ethinic group as much as I don't see the English.
We're all living here in Canada and the majority of us are content and pleased with a bilingual country. Canada was 'founded' by French and English settlers and we've created a special country.
There are specific concerns associated with each side and there are more militant people from each side demanding the annexation of the other. However, for the most part, we should be pleased with our arrangement.
My question might be simple but I want to know what are the ramifications of declaring Quebec a nation within a united Canada?
KD - well done. Except for questioning Harper's motives, but hey, I can't have everything!
Leather - FYI - virtually every PM is his own intergovernmental affairs minister - that's why its generally considered a minor cabinet position even though its such a crucial portfolio.
Chucker, "minor cabinet position....crucial portfolio"....help me out here.
It's hardly a minor cabinet position- it's symbolic, just like the motion. CC is right though that the gov't leader usually pulls the strings, if not assumes the file himself.
Stephane Dion was consulted- a former Liberal MIA Minister. That was a smart move in terms of non-partisan consensus building. The fact that Chong was not consulted was ridiculous in terms of degrading your own caucus and cabinet.
Noel: you said "Canada was 'founded' by French and English settlers and we've created a special country."
I disagree. Canada and the natives who lived here were raped by greedy French and English traders and their mother states fought over controlling the proceeds. Canada was built and founded by many immigrant groups. They just happened to be the most pervasive.
Mark- you said "Evolution of Confederation"
I couldn't agree more. Let's push on.
In some of us our French and English heritage is indistinguishable:
Personal example:
Father’s ancestry: Of Essex England (Norman i.e. French) for 400 years, then BNA for 350 years
Mother: Of Normandy for hundreds of years, then New France for 350 years.
In my case English = French, which is all one in me (historically and literally). i.e. English and French are one people in me.
BTW, Canada was born of three people:
English, French, Aboriginal… aboriginal making up the larger group originally..
French of France does not equal French of Quebec.
So, French ^= French.
leather,
KD explained it better than me. Except I would have inserted a flowery compliment about Harper.
Once again I must stick up for my "nation". Visigoth Nation continues to be ignored.
Nobody cares for us V-Goths. Oh no, our villiages could burn and none of you Why-can't-we-English-and-French-all-just-get-along hand-holders would even pee on us to put it out! (Except maybe K-Dough, who will pee on anything for a laugh... or a good time).
Man, you sack Rome ONCE and you get screwed for centuries.
I sacked Rome in the 90s. Well, not exactly Rome- I nailed a bunch of hot Italian chicks who hung out on College Street in TO.
The video was called Sacking Rome though so that counts!
Ah ha! That's how you won the 1990 World Cup!
Um, that wasn't me.
I did win the 1995 World D-Cup at the GTA Porn Awards though!
"Canada and the natives who lived here were raped by greedy French and English traders and their mother states fought over controlling the proceeds. Canada was built and founded by many immigrant groups. They just happened to be the most pervasive."
I couldn't agree with you more.
However,
I don't believe you won any Porn Awards. I'd like to see posted proof, if you don't mind.
Are visigoths the black ones?
I actually worked with a few Visigoths during the course of my adult film career. Lovely girls. They could skin and de-flesh a goat with their teeth in about 3 minutes. You can imagine what they were like in the sack!
Rawrrrr!
aboriginals are SOVEREIGN nations, but it's not recognized by any government at the federal or provincial level. quebec does not have good policy with first nations and in fact the seperatists would do away with traditional territories and inherent rights......so much for fairness.......ask for special status for yourself then trounce on the rights of others.
phil fontaine has coopted on this one.
the bloc still don't have a full english translation of their webiste. hmmmmm......do much for equality.
When are we gays finally going to be recognized as a nation?
I've said it before and I'll say it again: we all need to move to Prince Edward Island, make it a majority gay province and then declare our independence from Canada!!! Finally, a gay homeland. Sigh.
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