Last week, Ontario Premier Doug Ford angered many when his government announced plans to axe the French language services commissioner and scrap a proposed French language university.
Francophones in Ontario protested the move this past weekend and the push back has forced the Ontario government to re-evaluate its plans.
On Nov. 30, the PCs announced plans to re-create the position of French language services commissioner as part of the ombudsman’s office, Caroline Mulroney was named the minister of Francophone affairs and Ford’s office hired a Francophone policy advisor.
Needless to say, Ford got the message.
Not only was the push back generated in Ontario, but many in Quebec wasted no time tut-tutting the governments decision while patting this province on the back for its treatment of linguistic minorities.
Quebec has some top-notch English language universities while Ontario has nothing similar for it’s Francophone population.
Quebec’s recently defeated Liberal government created the Secretariat for relations with English Speaking Quebecers.
There are over one million Anglophones in Quebec – making up 13.5 per cent of the population.
On the other hand, the Francophone population in Ontario is around 550,000 – accounting for 4.1 per cent of the population.
While Ford’s move seemed short-sighted – especially in light of how quickly his government backtracked – the glad handing of those in Quebec for their accommodation efforts seemed tone deaf to say the least.
While Quebec does have a lot to be proud of when it comes to it’s treatment of minorities, its record isn’t exactly exemplary.
It depends on what kind of minority you are.
This is a province that’s in the midst of legislating what religious symbols public servants in positions of authority can wear.
The government has justified this rights infringement on the basis that the public service should be seen as religiously neutral.
Which, on the face of it, seems like a noble cause.
Too bad it’s a charade.
If the government is really interested in solidifying it’s appearance of religious neutrality, a good place to start would be removing the crucifix hanging in the National Assembly.
But that’s not going to happen.
If the crucifix is allowed to stay in the National Assembly, does that mean it’s also acceptable if it hangs from a chain around someone’s neck? What if, instead of a crucifix, it’s a Star of David?
If this ban on religious symbols doesn’t apply to all religious symbols, it’s little more than the direct targeting of religious minorities.
In fact, Quebec Premier Francois Legault has indicated his willingness to use the notwithstanding clause – that is, suspend the charter rights of those affected – to pass this legislation.
Despite the outrage directed at Ontario from this province, a recent poll shows that 65 per cent of Quebec residents support the inclusion of teachers in the religious symbols ban.
Not only that, but 49 per cent – almost half of Quebecers – support firing those who don’t comply.
While it’s noble that folks are standing up for minorities, it seems many people are in favour of supporting minorities as long as they’re “one of us.”
So before Quebecers fall all over themselves to chastise Ontario for its shoddy treatment of linguistic minorities, they should keep in mind that those who live in glass houses should not throw stones.
Chris Lowrey
