Good-bye, Quebec

Quebec premier, Pauline Marios, has called a general election for April 7th. Her minority Parti Quebecois party currently leads the public opinion polls followed by the Liberals and the Coalition for Quebec's Future.

Marios has gained much notoriety for her party's controversial secularism charter in which public employees (such as teachers, doctors, nurses, judges and police) are forbidden to wear anything overtly religious. This would include turbans on Sikhs, skullcaps for Jews, head scarves on Muslim women or crosses for Christians.

People believe that if her party wins a majority in this provincial election she will hold a referendum on whether or not Quebec should separate from the rest of Canada. The last one was held in 1995.

Previously I was scared of losing Quebec if they decided to separate. But, now, such talk makes me angry. I'm a proud Canadian and I love this country. To me, some Quebecers can be whiners and racists.

They feel the need to enact laws to make their citizens conform to a narrow way of living instead of encouraging diversity (whether it's in their language laws or proposed secularism charter). It's diametrically opposed to everything Canada stands for.

What do they think they'll accomplish with separation? I'd suggest isolation and instability. They will be the lone French speaking territory in North America.

I'm guessing many businesses and industries will leave due to this as well as the uncertainty surrounding the governing party. Who knows what sort of other absurd laws they might enact when they are in power?

I believe if they separate they will not only lose citizens who are tired of their heavy handed language laws, but many professional ethnic minorities who are fed up with their lack of tolerance. Economically-speaking, this also could be detrimental.

So, Quebec, if you ever decide to separate from the rest of Canada I say, good riddance. You will see no tears shed by me this time.

Religion in School

Image from the National Post

The Supreme Court of Canada recently ruled against two parents from Quebec (with the backing of the Catholic church there) who wanted to keep their children out of a mandatory Ethics and Religious Culture course taught in their school.

The parents stated the course, which covers a range of world religions such as Catholicism, Judaism, aboriginal spirituality and Islam, would interfere with their ability to transfer their Catholic faith to their children. That's why they didn't want them to take it. That's akin to thinking, if you close your eyes whatever you don't see doesn't exist. If you think your faith is the one true religion, then why don't you put it up against all others? What are you so concerned about?

I think it's terribly hypocritical of them (and the Catholic church in Quebec who financially supported their appeals to the Supreme Court of Canada) to try and shut out other religions from being taught. Especially when a lot of churches nowadays send out missionaries to many countries worldwide to spread their beliefs.

Shame on you!