Brandon Sun - PRINT EDITION
“We’re bordering on the ridiculous. I’m a little embarrassed by this kind of behaviour.”
<*R><BI>— Quebec Liberal leadership candidate Philippe Couillard, in reference to recent visits by the Office québécois
de la langue française to restaurants.
For decades, Quebec’s overzealous language police have toiled to enforce that province’s strict rules that say French must be the predominant language of the land.
Under the previous Liberal government, the previous uproar over Quebec’s language police had calmed somewhat. But since the election of a Parti Québécois minority government late last year, the language police have redoubled their efforts to crack down on apparently offensive words and expressions like “pasta” and “W.C.”
As it promised during its election campaign, the PQ government introduced new restrictions on the use of English in the workplace and access to English schools last December. The amendments to the province’s language charter, referred to as Bill 101, would widen the types of businesses that are required to comply with the rules set out in the French Language Charter. While the current law only applies to companies with 50 or more employees, the new legislation would affect businesses that employ 26 to 49 regular employees.
At the same time, the Globe and Mail reports that the new Quebec government has increased the budget for the Office québécoise de la langue française (the language police), hired more inspectors for the office, and done its level best to make non-French speakers in the province feel like outsiders. These actions have seemingly emboldened the language police to become even more restrictive and offensive.
And in doing so, the language police have made Quebec an international laughingstock.
Last month, following an investigation by the language police, a popular Italian restaurant in Montreal received a detailed letter citing him in violation of the French charter for using words like “pasta,” “antipasti” and “calamari.” Since then, the incident — nicknamed “Pastagate” — has prompted other restauranteurs to speak up and talk about their own recent run-ins with the language office. The situation has become so bizarre, that it has made international headlines in newspapers such as The Guardian in the U.K., and Fox News and the Chicago Tribune in the United States.
In the wake of the embarrassing attention given to the machinations of the language police, the Quebec government has been forced to address the situation. Last week, Diane De Courcy, the provincial minister responsible for the French language charter announced an internal review to improve the performance of the language police.
“Unfortunately, the results of certain inquiries have lent themselves, with reason, to very severe criticism,” De Courcy said.
No kidding.
This is obviously not the first time that Quebec’s language police have caused an uproar, but various media pundits, from the National Post to the Montreal Gazette, have suggested that this latest language flap may have finally awakened the province’s francophone population to the stupidity of their own laws.
Quebec has been recognized in this country as a distinct society, one that prizes its unique French heritage, language and culture. There is room for such a distinction within the Canadian dominion and we have no objection to Quebecers attempting to preserve that heritage.
But the underlying racist and intolerant nature of Quebec’s sovereigntist movement has no place in a free, just and open society. By stifling the rights of non-francophone minorities, the PQ government is exposing its own hypocrisy. As allegations of corruption and links to organized crime continue to dog municipal and provincial politics in Quebec, the fact that the PQ government seems preoccupied with words on a menu is mind-boggling.
Maybe a little international embarrassment is exactly what that province needs.
Republished from the Brandon Sun print edition March 2, 2013
We want you to tell us what you think of our articles. If the story moves you, compels you to act or tells you something you didn’t know, mark it high. If you thought it was well written, do the same. If it doesn’t meet your standards, mark it accordingly.
You can also register and/or login to the site and join the conversation by leaving a comment.
Rate it yourself by rolling over the stars and clicking when you reach your desired rating. We want you to tell us what you think of our articles. If the story moves you, compels you to act or tells you something you didn’t know, mark it high.
The Brandon Sun does not necessarily endorse any of the views posted. Comments are moderated before publication. By submitting your comment, you agree to our Terms and Conditions. New to commenting? Check out our Frequently Asked Questions.
“We’re bordering on the ridiculous. I’m a little embarrassed by this kind of behaviour.”
<*R><BI>— Quebec Liberal leadership candidate Philippe Couillard, in reference to recent visits by the Office québécois
Already subscribed? Login to view full article.
Not yet a subscriber? Click Here to Signup
“We’re bordering on the ridiculous. I’m a little embarrassed by this kind of behaviour.”
<*R><BI>— Quebec Liberal leadership candidate Philippe Couillard, in reference to recent visits by the Office québécois
A subscription to the Brandon Sun Newspaper is required to view this article. Please update your user information if you are already a newspaper subscriber.
Most Popular
Sort by: Newest to Oldest | Oldest to Newest | Most Popular 0 Comments
You can comment on most stories on brandonsun.com. You can also agree or disagree with other comments. All you need to do is register and/or login and you can join the conversation and give your feedback.