Canada to firmly re-assess its status as a British colony

[Valmy]

So what is it the Francophones really want?  I'm getting the feeling there is something unsaid here.  The fact that some our resident Francophones angrily demand that French be on equal footing to English in the rest of Canada, but don't seem to mind that France must predominate in Quebec strikes me as a bit odd.

Now that is a very good question. Especially given the view of Grallon and Viper that the legislation given access to French should be repealed.

I am not sure I see the issue.  The Language laws differ in different provinces yes?

Are the laws in Quebec not consistent with the federal laws?  Are they given some sort of special status to advance Frenchiness?

[crazy canuck]

I am not sure I see the issue.  The Language laws differ in different provinces yes?

Are the laws in Quebec not consistent with the federal laws?  Are they given some sort of special status to advance Frenchiness?

There are no language laws in other provinces.  Quebec laws are most certainly not consistent with Federal law.  They prefer French over English.  That is the whole point. 

[Valmy]

Quebec laws are most certainly not consistent with Federal law.

So...how can they get away with that?

[HVC]

By bitching they'll separate

[Ideologue]

Wow you lawyers can make any thread boring.

Hey, I could write a novel about some of my old war stories - and sometimes I think I should.

After all, I've had clients sued by Martians, and others by Jesus Christ, the Son of Man. The former was a nutcase (or perhaps a Martian), but the latter was a quite serious matter about real money ...

Didn't you watch a stupid man plummet to his death?

Anyway, the Martian ruling is fucked up.  Canada's racist.

[Malthus]

Didn't you watch a stupid man plummet to his death?

Anyway, the Martian ruling is fucked up.  Canada's racist.

I didn't actually see that. I knew of it, of course.

[Barrister]

I am not sure I see the issue.  The Language laws differ in different provinces yes?

Are the laws in Quebec not consistent with the federal laws?  Are they given some sort of special status to advance Frenchiness?

There are no language laws in other provinces.  Quebec laws are most certainly not consistent with Federal law.  They prefer French over English.  That is the whole point.

http://www.canlii.org/en/ab/laws/stat/rsa-2000-c-l-6/latest/rsa-2000-c-l-6.html

for starters...

[Grallon]

... They prefer French over English.  That is the whole point.

As any culturally and sociologically coherent people composed of a large majority of French speaker would.  You are indeed correct to state that that's the whole point.  As aggravating as this is for our Anglo neighbors.




G.

[Malthus]

I am not sure I see the issue.  The Language laws differ in different provinces yes?

Are the laws in Quebec not consistent with the federal laws?  Are they given some sort of special status to advance Frenchiness?

There are no language laws in other provinces.  Quebec laws are most certainly not consistent with Federal law.  They prefer French over English.  That is the whole point.

http://www.canlii.org/en/ab/laws/stat/rsa-2000-c-l-6/latest/rsa-2000-c-l-6.html

for starters...

Yes, there is language legislation in other provinces - generally intended to preserve and protect the language rights of the French-speaking minority.

Example, Ontario:

http://www.canlii.org/en/on/laws/stat/rso-1990-c-f32/latest/rso-1990-c-f32.html

The language laws in Quebec serve the opposite function: to enhance the language rights of the french-speaking majority at the expense of the minority.

[Grallon]

...

The language laws in Quebec serve the opposite function: to enhance the language rights of the french-speaking majority at the expense of the minority.

I am not moved to tears over our minority's fate.  If they're not satisfied - Canada is that way.  And considering the rate of assimilation of those French minorities outside of Quebec - we'll keep the languages laws firmly in place here.




G.

[Barrister]

So what is it the Francophones really want?  I'm getting the feeling there is something unsaid here.  The fact that some our resident Francophones angrily demand that French be on equal footing to English in the rest of Canada, but don't seem to mind that France must predominate in Quebec strikes me as a bit odd.

Now that is a very good question. Especially given the view of Grallon and Viper that the legislation given access to French should be repealed.

I am not sure I see the issue.  The Language laws differ in different provinces yes?

Are the laws in Quebec not consistent with the federal laws?  Are they given some sort of special status to advance Frenchiness?

Well the entire point of federalism is that provincial laws don't have to be consistent with federal laws - each level of government has their own areas of jurisdiction.

Quebec has passed laws making French the official language of Quebec, and even went so far as to put restrictions on the use of English.  At one point those laws were found to violate the right of freedom of expression.   However, Quebec used what is called the "notwithstanding" clause to pass their language laws 'notwithstanding' the Charter of Rights.

However, those laws were further amended back in the 90s, they no longer violate the Charter, and Quebec no longer has to invoke the notwithstanding clause.

Now there are certain language rights enshrined in the Constitution - they mostly deal with minority language education and access to government services.

[crazy canuck]

I am not sure I see the issue.  The Language laws differ in different provinces yes?

Are the laws in Quebec not consistent with the federal laws?  Are they given some sort of special status to advance Frenchiness?

There are no language laws in other provinces.  Quebec laws are most certainly not consistent with Federal law.  They prefer French over English.  That is the whole point.

http://www.canlii.org/en/ab/laws/stat/rsa-2000-c-l-6/latest/rsa-2000-c-l-6.html

for starters...

You are a bit slow on the uptake there BB, what part of that legislation says English must be preferred to French.  I am curious as to why Alberta felt the need to say that their statutes were valid if only printed in English.  Do you know why.  Also does any other Province do this?

[crazy canuck]

... They prefer French over English.  That is the whole point.

As any culturally and sociologically coherent people composed of a large majority of French speaker would.  You are indeed correct to state that that's the whole point.  As aggravating as this is for our Anglo neighbors.




G.

Thanks for the confirmation Grallon.

[crazy canuck]

However, those laws were further amended back in the 90s, they no longer violate the Charter, and Quebec no longer has to invoke the notwithstanding clause.

Is there a case on that or is that the common wisdom on the topic?

[Barrister]

However, those laws were further amended back in the 90s, they no longer violate the Charter, and Quebec no longer has to invoke the notwithstanding clause.

Is there a case on that or is that the common wisdom on the topic?

I checked wikipedia, but that merely confirmed what my own memory said.

Supposedly, Quebec amended the Act to adopt language "suggested" by the SCC.