BETWEEN A ROCK AND A HARD PLACE
Year-End Report Cards on Bill 96: 90Q.1. & 90Q.2.
As a retired Principal and Secondary School Teacher of the History of Québec, I consider the following report cards as my response to the academic call to duty:
Specific Subject Material Covered: May to December 2021 Term:
Bill 96 - An Act respecting French, the official and common language of Québec “CONSTITUTION ACT, 1867 159. The Constitution Act, 1867 (30 & 31 Victoria, c. 3 (U.K.); 1982, c. 11 (U.K.)) is amended by inserting the following after section 90: FUNDAMENTAL CHARACTERISTICS OF QUEBEC 90Q.1. Quebecers form a nation. 90Q.2. French shall be the only official language of Quebec. It is also the common language of the Quebec nation.”
Report Card Marks and Teacher Comments:
QCNA: Quebec Community Newspapers Association = A - Wonderful leadership skills demonstrated in full-page ads - Special Mention awarded for undeniable tenacity on important issues
T F: Task Force on Linguistic Policy = A - Impressive leadership qualities from the new kid on the block - Special Mention awarded for impressive Brief on 96 by T F volunteers
QFHSA: Quebec Federation of Home and School Associations Inc. = A - Leading the way in the education sector - Special Mention awarded for the work of QFHSA Rights Committee
EPCA: English Parent Committees Association = B+ - Dependence on MEQ funding cripples the ability of this volunteer organization to carry through on all advocacy initiatives - Special Mention awarded to EPCA President Katherine Korakakis for her determined efforts despite interference from minister and ministry
QESBA: Quebec English School Boards Association = C - Asleep in the back row of class during most of June, July, and August - Acquired more interest in subject lately, but much too late in the term
WQSB: Western Quebec School Board = C - Classic case of suffering from lack of leadership from Big Brother (QESBA), but both get Brownie points for opposition to Laws 21 and 40
QCGN: Quebec Community Groups Network = C- - Internal renewal process has hampered effectiveness of present governance structures and consultation of its member groups - Special Mention awarded to QCGN President Marlene Jennings for her insightful wisdom and passion displayed while confronting government representatives
RAWQ: Regional Association of West Quebecers = C- - Another classic case of suffering from lack of leadership from Big Brother (QCGN), as well as being a regional association searching for its soul and in desperate need of getting out into the community to explore its role of advocacy and how the English-speaking population really feels about Bill 96, especially 90Q.1. and 90Q.2.
MPs: Local Members of Parliament (Liberal Party of Canada) = D - Soul-searching is very necessary for the three local incumbents of the House of Commons who voted in favour of the motion introduced by M. Yves-François Blanchet, Bloc québécois Party Leader last session - Unfortunately, you must prepare wisely for the same nature of BQ motions supporting Bill 96 in the new parliamentary session
MNAs: Local Members of the National Assembly of Québec (QLP) = D- - As members of the Official Opposition caucus of the Québec Liberal Party, you unfortunately hold collective responsibility for the deliberate stalling of the release of the caucus strategy regarding clause-by-clause consideration of the sections of Bill 96 including 90Q.1. and 90Q.2.
MNAs: Local Members of the National Assembly of Québec (CAQ) = F - Guilty as charged of the overuse of “le bâillon” (closure) and the Notwithstanding Clause regarding the Charter of Rights and Freedoms of Canada (1982), as well as your very own Charter of Human Rights and Freedoms of Québec (1975, chapter C-12)
Premier of Québec, Minister Responsible for Youth Issues, and Minister Responsible for Relations with English-Speaking Quebecers & Minister of Justice, Minister Responsible for the French Language, and Minister Responsible for Laicity and Parliamentary Reform & Minister of Families and the Minister Responsible for the Outaouais & Parliamentary Assistant to the Premier for Relations with English- Speaking Quebecers and to the Minister Responsible for the Fight Against Racism PLUS ALL THE OTHER CABINET MINISTERS = F- - SHAME ON YOU ALL!
The Party Leader of le Bloc québécois = F- - DOUBLE SHAME ON YOU!
The Right Honourable Prime Minister + ALL YOUR CABINET MINISTERS & The Honourable Leader of the Official Opposition
& The Party Leader of the New Democratic Party = F- - TRIPLE SHAME ON ALL OF YOU!
MY PARTING WISH: HOPING THAT THE NEW YEAR OF 2022 WILL SEE CANADA RETURN TO SYMMETRICAL FEDERALISM AND SUPPORT FOR THE TWO OFFICIAL LANGUAGES FROM COAST TO COAST TO COAST!
