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| 06 Apr, 2005 | Ricky Blue - Trying to make sense of education rights
It doesnt make sense. The Supreme Court of Canada judged that francophones in Quebec dont have the same rights as anglophones.
I know.
But arent francophones outraged?
No. They would have been outraged if the Supreme Court had given them back their rights. There would have demonstrations. Riots in the streets. Threats of separation. But now that they still dont have the same rights as anglophones the crisis has been averted.
Wait a minute. Are you saying that francophones actually want to have fewer rights than anglophones?
Yes. They fought for years to have fewer rights than anglophones. Bill 101, the law that makes sure they have fewer rights, is considered their defining legal achievement. It is untouchable. An article of faith.
That doesnt make sense. Most people fight to have more rights.
Not here.
So if francophones were allowed to choose the language of instruction for their kids they would choose English?
Thats why Bill 101 forbids it.
But that proves that they want to be able to choose to send their kids to English school.
Polls actually show that most francophones DO want freedom of choice.
So why do they constantly elect governments that deny them this freedom?
Because they think that they have to be protected from themselves.
So they WANT to be prevented from doing what they WANT?
Yes.
But shouldnt each individual be free to decide what is good for him or herself?
Youve been watching too many American movies.
But it doesnt make sense. Dont they pay the same school taxes?
Yes.
And they dont get the same rights?
No.
But doesnt the Canadian Charter of Rights protect their rights?
Only if they are a minority.
But in Canada they are a minority: less than one-quarter of the population.
But in Quebec they are a majority.
So even though they are a minority in Canada they dont qualify for minority rights because in Quebec they are a majority?
Yes.
That doesnt make sense. Who challenged the law?
A small group of francophones wanted to have the same rights as anglophones. They know that speaking English is a huge advantage in the job marketplace. They think its unfair that anglos get to be bilingual but they dont.
What will happen now?
Theyll take their complaint to the United Nations. And because anyone can see that it is unfair, the U.N. will probably say that it is unfair.
Dont francophones want that?
No. They dont want the U.N. to say its unfair. Because that might influence the Quebec government to relax the law. Then they would be able to do what they want to do. And that would never do.
That doesnt make sense. Look, most of Quebecs elite is bilingual. How do they do it?
They can afford to send their kids to private schools.
So it is really only the poor francophones who dont have these rights?
Yes.
But thats not fair. That would ensure that Quebec continues to be dominated by a rich, autocratic elite that has more rights than the general population simply because they can afford them.
Aha. Now does it make sense?
Ricky Blue is half of the Bowser and Blue comedy act.
| 06 Apr, 2005 | Ricky Blue - Trying to make sense of education rights
It doesnt make sense. The Supreme Court of Canada judged that francophones in Quebec dont have the same rights as anglophones.
I know.
But arent francophones outraged?
No. They would have been outraged if the Supreme Court had given them back their rights. There would have demonstrations. Riots in the streets. Threats of separation. But now that they still dont have the same rights as anglophones the crisis has been averted.
Wait a minute. Are you saying that francophones actually want to have fewer rights than anglophones?
Yes. They fought for years to have fewer rights than anglophones. Bill 101, the law that makes sure they have fewer rights, is considered their defining legal achievement. It is untouchable. An article of faith.
That doesnt make sense. Most people fight to have more rights.
Not here.
So if francophones were allowed to choose the language of instruction for their kids they would choose English?
Thats why Bill 101 forbids it.
But that proves that they want to be able to choose to send their kids to English school.
Polls actually show that most francophones DO want freedom of choice.
So why do they constantly elect governments that deny them this freedom?
Because they think that they have to be protected from themselves.
So they WANT to be prevented from doing what they WANT?
Yes.
But shouldnt each individual be free to decide what is good for him or herself?
Youve been watching too many American movies.
But it doesnt make sense. Dont they pay the same school taxes?
Yes.
And they dont get the same rights?
No.
But doesnt the Canadian Charter of Rights protect their rights?
Only if they are a minority.
But in Canada they are a minority: less than one-quarter of the population.
But in Quebec they are a majority.
So even though they are a minority in Canada they dont qualify for minority rights because in Quebec they are a majority?
Yes.
That doesnt make sense. Who challenged the law?
A small group of francophones wanted to have the same rights as anglophones. They know that speaking English is a huge advantage in the job marketplace. They think its unfair that anglos get to be bilingual but they dont.
What will happen now?
Theyll take their complaint to the United Nations. And because anyone can see that it is unfair, the U.N. will probably say that it is unfair.
Dont francophones want that?
No. They dont want the U.N. to say its unfair. Because that might influence the Quebec government to relax the law. Then they would be able to do what they want to do. And that would never do.
That doesnt make sense. Look, most of Quebecs elite is bilingual. How do they do it?
They can afford to send their kids to private schools.
So it is really only the poor francophones who dont have these rights?
Yes.
But thats not fair. That would ensure that Quebec continues to be dominated by a rich, autocratic elite that has more rights than the general population simply because they can afford them.
Aha. Now does it make sense?
Ricky Blue is half of the Bowser and Blue comedy act.
