Reading Quebec: Le Devoir

Tuition Fees: Pierre Duchesne getting ready for the Summit (Garnotte 2013-02-05)

Carré rouge

On Tuesday, 5 February 2013, I bought a copy of Le Devoir, Quebec‘ s finest French-language newspaper.  As you can see above, the cartoonist, Garnotte, sat Pierre Duchesne, Ministre de l’Enseignement supérieur, de la Recherche, de la Science et de la Technologie (depuis 2012),[i] under a big red block, ready to fall on his head.

• L’Association pour une solidarité syndicale étudiante (ASSÉ), the core association of La Classe: La Coalition Large ASSE) is ready to go on strike. (La Classe).
• The business community has refused to pay a tax that would help keep tuition fees as they have been: the lowest in the country.

Jean Charest in France

Former Premier Jean Charest (born 1958) was in France meeting with President François Hollande (born 1954).  According to the 5 February 2013 issue of Le Devoir, no one knew what they were discussing, but we were told yesterday, 6 February 2013) that they were discussing business.  Monsieur Charest, a veteran politician and the former Premier of Quebec, was not reelected in his own riding: Sherbrooke, Quebec.

French President François Hollande and Jean Charest, former Premier of Quebec, at l’Élizée (Photo credit: Martin Bureau, Agence France-Presse)

McGill outgoing President on the forthcoming Summit on Education, etc

And, this morning, I am reading that the outgoing President of McGill University, in Montreal, Madame Heather Munroe-Blum, thought that  “contrairement à certains libéraux, elle ne croit [believe] pas que la hausse [rise] proposée par le gouvernement Charest était exagérée.”

• Madame Heather Munroe-Blum pointed out that, “contrary to certain liberals, she does not believe that the raise proposed by Monsieur Charest’s government [last spring] was too high (exagérée).”  In fact, “[i]t wasn’t high enough.  « À mon avis, ce n’était pas assez fort », a-t-elle indiqué.” (See Le Devoir.)
• Madame Heather Munroe-Blum also stated that the Summit on Higher Education was a “une farce,” a joke. (See Le Devoir.)
• She also mentioned that “[i]n Sherbrooke, we had a Senegalese academic who compared our education system to that of Senegal, twenty years ago.  What do you think of that?).  « À Sherbrooke, on a eu un universitaire sénégalais qui a comparé notre système d’enseignement avec le système sénégalais d’il y a vingt ans. Que penser de ça ? »  (il y a = ago) (See Le Devoir.)

There are fewer full-time university teachers in Quebec than outside Quebec.  In Quebec universities, numerous teachers are hired on a part-time basis and must travel between two or three universities to make a meagre living.  Moreover, concessions are made for students who are first generation university students.

Bill 14

I am also sending you an article on Bill-14.  It would transform bilingual communities into unilingual communities, if the English-speaking population drops to below 40% of the total population. (See CTV News.)  Quebec wishes to protect the French language, (as does Canada), but there may be friendlier and more effective ways of doing so than the current attempts to marginalize its English-speaking population.  What about French-speaking Canadians living outside Quebec?

Working Group on Healthcare or the Council of the Federation: Quebec walks out

In yesterday’s Devoir, I also read that Quebec had left a Working Group on Health Care. (See The Globe and Mail.)

The Estates General on Quebec Sovereignty

Moreover, the Estates General on Quebec Sovereignty (CTV News) has found that the Federal government blocks Quebec in 92 ways. (See Le Devoir.)

France’s Position on the Question of Quebec Sovereignty

Here is another useful link regarding France’s position with respect to Quebec’s sovereignty.  (See The Huffington Post.)

For more information on most of the above, see The Montreal Gazette or The Montreal Gazette (front page, click on tab above the picture.)

Conclusion

I am posting this blog, because I would like to answer, to the extent that I may, a question English-speaking Canadians often ask.  What does Quebec want?

Reflecting on the possible repercussions of sovereignty for Quebec seems a good idea.  There has to be a bona fide (in good faith) assessment of gains and losses should Quebec leave confederation.  Indépendantistes must consider the consequences of secession, or a form thereof.  Truth be told, it would be in the interest of the rest of Canada to define its position should Quebec chose not to remain within the current confederation.  Will the rest of Canada be tolerant or will we face disorder?

However, Quebec has not seceded and Québécois may well decide to remain a province of Canada.  First Minister Alex Salmond of Scotland has secured an agreement with the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom regarding a referendum.  But the people of Quebec have not said yes and under the terms of the Clarity Act (popular in Quebec [See The Globe and Mail.]), passed in the year 2000, independence cannot be a unilateral decision.

“The legislation says secession can occur only through constitutional reform, not a simple vote.  It also puts restrictions on the question that can be asked in a referendum and how large a majority is required for a Yes vote.” (See Paul Waldie, The Globe and Mail.)

Much of the above confuses me.

• Madame Marois is an indépendantiste, but to what extent?
• A degree of sovereignty has been achieved in Quebec.  Why and how?
• Does Quebec have a mandate to create a government within a government?
• To what extent can Quebec legislate unilingualism (Bill-14), or has something happened I do not know about?
• Quebec has not signed the Patriated Constitution (1982)?  Why and what does this mean?
• Do I notice a degree of entitlement on the part of Quebec students not to mention groups (Health Care) in its government?
• The Clarity Act (Bill C-20)…

[i] Monsieur Duchesne is the Quebec Government’s Minister of Higher Education, Research, Science and Technology.

Maison à Sainte-Rose, by Marc-Aurèle Fortin, 1928 (Photo credit: Galerie Jean-Pierre Valentin)

Related articles

• Madame Marois’ Scottish Agenda (michelinewalker.com)
• Quebec, meet your neighbour Ontario (theglobeandmail.com)
• Thoughts on secession (macleans.ca)