Pontiac MNA André Fortin voted in support of two motions in the National Assembly of Quebec last week, brought forward in response to a question asked at the English federal leaders debate.

During the Sept. 9 debate, moderator Shachi Kurl asked Bloc Québécois leader Yves-François Blanchet the following: “You deny that Quebec has problems with racism yet you defend legislations such as Bills 96 and 21 which marginalize religious minorities, anglophones and allophones. Quebec is recognized as a distinct society, but for those outside the province, please help them understand why your party also supports these discriminatory laws.”

Blanchet responded by saying that the question implied an answer the moderator wanted to hear. He added that Bills 21 and 96 are not about discrimination but instead about the values of Quebec.

The first motion, which came from official opposition leader Dominique Anglade, condemned the question, saying it described Quebec as a “society of racism and discrimination.” The motion went on to say that Quebec is capable of having discussions on delicate subjects that fall within the assembly and called for an end to “Quebec bashing.”

The second motion, brought forward by Joël Arseneau of the Parti Québéois, demanded a formal apology from the Federal Debates Broadcasting Group.

In an interview with THE EQUITY, Pontiac MNA André Fortin also took issue with the question, saying that it, as well as others asked during the debate, contained the bias and personal opinions of the moderator.

“I think the point was to send a reminder that moderators – whether they’re journalists or not – of political debates have a duty to be neutral in their questions,” said Fortin. “A lot of people equated it to English Canada hammering on Quebec. There may be different points of view, but no one needs to look down on an entire province.”

“It’s not the first time that those from other parts of the country have painted a very broad brush up of Quebecers in such a way and in such a negative way.”

Fortin explained that though his party had previously raised concerns of possible discrimination and suggested ammendments to Bills 21 and 96, it was approached in a respectful way. He added that at the debate, this was not the case.

“And it’s normal to have these exchanges, these debates, these confrontations of ideas. It’s not normal to have those debates with moderators who are supposed to be neutral,” said Fortin.

Fortin went on to say that the question caused further division between Quebec and the rest of the country.

“Sometimes a single incident can cause a further divide,” said Fortin. “For someone like me who wants the two parts of the country to be more closely-aligned, to work closely together, to respect each other, it’s disappointing to see that one event like that can change the efforts of many.”

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