AngryFrenchGuy

French Québec Doesn’t “Open Up” to English Culture. It Makes It.

with 150 comments

Quebec DiscoSo I’m sitting here ruminating on past humiliations because, you know, that’s what we Québec indépendantistes do, and the whole « should we have people singing in english at the Saint-Jean-Baptiste/Fête Nationale » crisis—as I’m sure you all are—and even though I personnaly though it was cool that a couple of Anglo bands we’re invited to sing in Rosemont, there is one argument hear time and time again during the debate that I just can’t let pass.

It’s the « Québec should open up to English-language culture » argument.

(For those who’ve moved on I apologize.  You are better people than I am. I’m a little bit slow. Despite my unrivaled mastery of useless trivia which has earned me the nickname of The un-sexy Cliff Claven, I would suck at Jeopardy. Even though we all know Alex Trebeck loves to show off his French and he would no doubt signal the Double Jeopardy to me.)

How ridiculous is this idea that Québec needs to “open up” to English language culture?  It quite quite possibly could be the dumbest thing ever said out loud in the history of La Grande Chicane, our century-old dispute that has inspired an encyclopedia’s worth of dumb statements.

And I’m not even thinking about the fact that we are surrounded by English speakers and are constantly bombarded with American media and culture.

English Québec has a healthy little local scene and have made a decent contribution to the wider English-language cultural world, but with the exception of Leonard Cohen and Mordecai Richler, both of whom are old or dead, its clear that French Québec has made a bigger contribution to the world’s English language culture than all of English Québec.

Listen, I am a aware that a few Québécois of English-language expression have done good. Cohen is a legend. Sam Roberts was called the future of Rock by the head of Sony Music.   I’m not enough of a hispter to get it, but I hear Rufus Wainwright and Arcade Fire sold a few records.

So what?  So have Simple Plan and Pascale Picard and Chromeo, all of whom are as French Québec as signing “Hey motherfucker get laid, get fucked” during the chorus of Billy Idol’s Mony Mony.

French Québec has always been in the game.

In the 1970’s Montreal nightclubs like the Limelight and Québec artists like France Joli, Martin Stevens and Gino Soccio were not only part of, they were once the heart of disco culture.

Or if you’re more of a metalhead you certainly know that even though Metallica certainly sold more albums than any other metal band in the 1980’s, their own inspiration was Jonquière’s Voivod and that’s the band Metallica bassist Jason Newstead chose to join when he quit Metallica after realizing, 10 years after the rest of us, that his old band sucked.  “I think that I’m in a band now that can kick their ass”, said the old Metallica rythm-man.

Oh yeah, and there’s that French chick who sold more English-language albums than any other woman in the history of recorded music.

And then she got together with the people at the Cirque du Soleil and other Québec artists like André-Phillipe Gagnon and Alain Choquette to save Las Vegas and give it it’s most glorious era since Sinatra and the Rat Pack.

So what was that you were saying? Y’all want Québec to « open up » to English language culture?

Québec doesn’t open up to English-language culture.  Québec makes English-language culture.  As well as any so-called native English speakers in Québec or elsewhere.

And then it has plenty of talent left over to invade France.

Written by angryfrenchguy

July 7, 2009 at 2:34 pm

150 Responses

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  1. “Gee I wonder how the First nations feel,”

    They feel pretty crappy – and rightfully so! I fully support their right to self-determination, BTW.

    Acajack

    July 17, 2009 at 3:10 pm

  2. “BTW there are 7.0 M French-speakers in Quebec (2006 census) out of a total population of 7.4 M and another 2.2 M in the ROC for a total of 9.2 M.”

    Sounds like the total numbers of people who *can* speak French (or at least claim to, since it is a self-assessment question in the census) rather than those for whom it is the main language. According to the francophone lobby groups outside Quebec, there are about 900,000 francophones in the provinces outside Quebec, not 2.2 million as you say.
    I can speak English pretty well, but don’t consider myself to be part of the anglophone community of Quebec. If they counted everyone like me, Quebec would have close to 3 million anglophones, whereas the actual number is around 800,000. I am also not bad in Spanish, but shouldn’t be counted in the hispanophone community of Quebec either.
    There is a big difference demographically between native speakers and second-language speakers.

    Acajack

    July 17, 2009 at 3:15 pm

  3. “Its the victimization undercurrent in your comments that are so tired and pointless. Its what keeps the sovereignty movement from evolving and becoming more pertinent to today’s challenges. You are continuously blaming Canada and “the English” for all things wrong.”

    I don’t care about the sovereignty movement’s relevance. What I care about is the federalist side giving the sovereignty movement just the kickstart they need on a silver platter thanks to a language crisis that the evolving situation in several regions of Quebec I fear might be leading us straight into.

    And a “Shucks, que voulez-vous” Jean Chrétien-style response to the issue isn’t going to cut it if we do find ourselves there one day.

    Acajack

    July 17, 2009 at 3:27 pm

  4. Hi Rory,

    Yeah, I think you’re right that both camps will, at least initially, be royally pissed off.

    No, your math is not off. In the proposed Quebec West there would be approximately 1.1 million non-francophones and 1.4 million francophones so, yes, francophones most definitely would be a majority. And, yes, I think francophones that are more in proximity to English would be more concerned about legislation to protect French than, say, francophones in Chicoutimi. But my premise is that not only would this fear go away with independence but that once independence is obtained, francophones must adopt a culture of embracing English simply because it is going to be necessary for economic survival. And, as Jean-Luc Migue pointed out, its economic strength that, ultimately, will protect French more than any other factor. Independence will present francophone Quebecers with the need to develop this new paradigm…and this is what I am attempting to promote with the book.

    Regarding the numbers used: yes, I used mother-tongue as the source from the DGEQ. The reason I classified allophones along with the anglophones together as non-francophones was based solely on the fact that in independence referendums allophones, like the anglophones, vote in incredibly high percentages for the “no” option (99% anglos “no”, about 95% allophones “no”). So it mattered not for my calculations and my thesis whether allophones prefer French; it is their voting patterns that mattered.

    Tony Kondaks

    July 17, 2009 at 5:24 pm

  5. …its ok, as far as countries go. Too much geography, too much petty bickering. No better than most other developed countries, certainly no worse. For Quebec I see it as a marriage of convenience, not of love. If and when it is no longer convenient, I have no problems with secession, only I don’t think the current crop of sovereignist leaders are even remotely qualified to lead the project. There certainly isn’t a single Bloc MP (with the exception of Serge Ménard) who I would hire as a lowly customs inspector. I,m so negative on the whole sovereignty movement because they have basically had 40 years to convince us of the validity of their arguments and we are further away from the goal than 40 years ago. not a great track record of accomplishment. Its now mostly a seniority/pension eligibility issue with trumped up righteous indignation, which I find extremely annoying.

    I actually have lived on both coasts for 4 years, so I have a very good understanding of Canada. I have spent two summers in the high arctic and have visited every single Canadian province several times. I don’t believe that the ROC, if one can generalize, loves Quebec, its also for them a marriage of convenience.

    I’m always leery of people who think that their country is the best, it usually means they have very little knowledge of other countries.

    So thats my report, I’m leaving for BC next week for a wedding, would you like an update upon my return ?

    Dave

    July 17, 2009 at 5:27 pm

  6. Your suggestion that there’s some moral compulsion operating on unilingual francophones in Québec to learn other languages as a condition “entitling” them to be offended at being addressed only in English is completely ridiculous. If a Vancouver team captain addressed his public uniquely in English, I can assure you that Vancouver fan (and media) patience wouldn’t withstand ten years. It wouldn’t withstand 10 minutes. And the first one to defend the Van fans indignation would be you, of course. So I don’t know who you think you’re kidding with your clueless analogy. Maybe just yourself.

    James

    July 18, 2009 at 9:23 pm

  7. I meant “only in French”, of course, apropos of the hypothetical Van captain.

    James

    July 18, 2009 at 9:27 pm

  8. Sure thing JOL.
    Soon as I can figure our the french language instructions for the transporter. :)

    ABP

    July 18, 2009 at 10:31 pm

  9. “And a “Shucks, que voulez-vous” Jean Chrétien-style response to the issue isn’t going to cut it if we do find ourselves there one day.”

    Sounds like threat ACJ. This problem will never go away until the sovereingtists are put to bed by giving them the milk and cookies they want. Then, they will be asking the question, what do we do next. This being said, don’t you think they should be given the chance. Might be a great thing and very successful for those in Quebec.

    Quebec should separate, no problem, perhaps a bit of partition of Quebec for those areas that want to stay in Canada to be fair. Divide the spoils and the debt. Its not hard to split a dollar, after all.

    I find amusing in this blog that it’s all about Quebec and nothing about the interests of Canada. Of course Quebec has always had its interests close to heart with no regard for the the country as a whole.

    Time for Quebec to go ACJ.

    Think of the linguistic advantages (this blog always comes down to linguistics and/or paranoia about same). No English permitted on any signs at all, no english in schools. Of course with 101 you have a good start. Then you can eliminate any anglo or minority television and radio…Is this not what the PQ are asking for with control over media (Quebec version of the CRTC). Well, not this exactly, but they do want control of media which leads me to have strong suspicions as to what they would do with this power.

    A perfect little franco speaking nation in NA and whats wrong with that!! Is there a problem? You seem to have a problem with secession and why is that.

    Sounds like a good plan to solve this debate which has been going on since I was born and believe me, I am getting old.

    Read my lips…they don’t trust or have great admiration for each other. Simple as that. Everything else is window dressing about language, culture etc. The bottom line.

    ABP

    July 18, 2009 at 11:12 pm

  10. Acajack,

    Comme tous les séparatistes, tu manque le courage d’admettre que votre argument est faible.

    Hamer

    July 20, 2009 at 3:02 pm

  11. Je ne suis pas séparatiste Hamer. J’ai plutôt très peur qu’une certaine catégorie d’anglo-suprémacistes (pardonnez-moi l’expression boiteuse) pousse de plus en plus de Québécois vers l’option de l’indépendance.

    Acajack

    July 21, 2009 at 7:15 pm

  12. Dave

    Did you know that the Anglophone Population comprised about 25% of the Population of the Province of Quebec and now it only comprises about 10% of the population fo the Province of Quebec, this is a decress of about 15%.

    Did you know that the Anglophone Population comprised about 61% of the population of the Ciy of Montreal and now its only comprised of 18% of the Population of the City of Montreal. This is a decress of about 43%.

    Did you know that the Anglophone Population comprised about 43% of the population of the City of Quebec now it only comprises of about just 2% of the population of the City of Quebec. This is a decress of about 41%.

    The Current Anglo-Quebec population of the Province of Quebec is about 778.561 people and in my oppion should be increased to about 1.945.640 people. Canada should encourage about 1.167.079 English Speaking People to move to the Province to restore the historical Anglophone population back to being 25% of the Province’s population. The Francophones can comprise of about 75% of the Province’s population and retain there majority but then the Anglophones should be comprised of 25% of the Province’s Populaiton, making them a large and powerfull minority.

    The Current Anglo-Quebec Population Living in the City of Montreal is 291.724 people and in my oppion should be increased to 988.622 people. Canada should encourage about 696.898 English Speaking People to restore the the historical Anglophone Population of the City of Montreal back to 61% of the City’s Population. The Francophones can comprise about 39% of the City’s population and become a huge and powerfull minority while the Anglophones should comprise of 61% of the City’s populaiton and restore the City of Montreal to being an Anglophone Majority City.

    The Current Anglo-Quebec population living in the City of Quebec is about 9.982 people and in my oppion should be increased to 211.191 people. Canada should encourage about 201.209 English Speakers to restore the Anglophone Population of the City of Quebec back to 43% of the City’s Population. The Francophones can comprise about 57% of the City’s Population and retain being the majority in the City of Quebec , while the Anglophones should become 43% of the City’s Population and becoming a huge and powerfull minority.

    This is very fair and should be accomplished. Only with a large and powerfull Anglo-Quebec Populations living in the Cities of Montreal and Quebec and in the Whole Province of Quebec as a whole can the English Language be restored as an Official Language of the Province of Quebec and all rights and freedoms that the Quebecois have being shared by the Anglo-Quebecers. Anglo-Quebecers who left the Province in the 70’s to the Present Day should come back home to the Province of Quebec and should live in the 2 most important Cities of the Province which are Montreal and Quebec City. Montreal is the the Center of the Economy of the Province, while Quebec City is the Center of the Government of the Province. These 2 Cities are key into getting power and respect in the Province.

    How can we explain this when in 1827 the Anglophone Population of the Province of Quebec comprised of 25% and now in the modern day only comprises of about 10% of the Province’s Population. How can we explain that in 1842 the Anglophone Population of the City of Montreal comprised of 61% and now comprised about 18% of the City’s Populaiton and how can we explain that in 1842 the Anglophone Population of the City of Quebec comprised about 43% and now it comprises just 2% of the City’s Population.

    ALL ANGLO-CANADIANS AND ANGLO-QUEBECERS SHOULD HOLED THERE HEADS IN COLECTIVE SHAJME TO ALLOW FOR SUCH A LOSS OF ENGLISH SPEAKERS IN THE PROVINCE OF QUENEC AND THE CITY OF MONTREAL AND MOST PARTICULARY IN THE CITY OF QUEBEC.

    UnitedEmpireLoyalist

    July 28, 2009 at 5:27 pm

  13. Dave

    Have you heard of the Constitution Act of 1867. This Act Established both English and French as the Official Languages of both the Dominion of Canada and of it’s Province of Quebec. The French Language was and still is preserved and protected under this act. The Quebecois have no right to institute such laws like Bill 101 (Charter of the French Language) to remove the English Language as an a Co-Official Language of the Province and make French the Sole-Official Language of the Province. The Province of Quebec must be returned to being a Bilingual Province with both English and French Languages being treated the same and having the same rights and privileges under the Law. The British and later Canada could have banned the French Language and imposed the English Language on the Quebecois in the Province of Quebec just like how the French banned the German Language in Alsace-Lorraine and imposed the French Language on the Native Population.

    Constitution Act of 1867
    Use of English and French Languages
    Section 133

    Either the English or the French Language man be used by any Person in the Debates of the Houses of the Parliament of Canada and of the Houses of the Legislature of Quebec: and both those Languages shall be used in the Respective Records and Journels of those Houses: and either of those Languages may be used by any Person in or any Pleading or Process, in or issuing from any Court of Canada established under this Act and in or from all or any of the Courts of Quebec.

    The Acts of the Parliament of Canada and of the Legislature of Quebec shall be printed and published in both those Languages.

    http://www.solon.org/Constitutions/Canada/English/ca_1867.html

    Why cant you Quebecois see the error of your ways in reguarding the English Language in the Province of Quebec. How could you spit on the Document that guaranted your Language Rights to use the French Language in the the Province of Quebec and in the Dominion of Canada in the City of Ottawa and deny the same rights of the English Language in the Province of Quebec. The Constitution Act of 1867, in reguards to equality of both English and French Languages in the Dominion of Canada and in the Province of Quebec was and still is still is a very Liberal and Fari Document.

    The Province of Quebec was enriched by both English and French Cultures and Languages and with 1 with out the other, the Province of Quebec will not be the same Province.

    BTW.

    I am also prepared to support the restoration of the French Language as an Official Language of the Province of Manitoba if the English Language is restored as an Official Language in the Province of Quebec.

    Manitoba Act of 1870
    Use of English and French Languages
    Section 23

    Either the English or the French Language may be used by any Person in the Debates of the Houses of the Legislature and both those Languages shall be used in the respective Records and Journels of those Houses: and either of those Languages may be used by any Person in or any Pleading or Process, in or issuing from any Court of Canada established under the Constitution Act, 1867, or in or from all or any of the Courts of the Province.

    The Acts of the Legislature shall be printed and published in both those Languages

    http://www.solon.org/Constitutions/Canada/English/ma_1870.html

    Both the Constitution Act of 1867 and the Manitoba Act of 1870 Established both English and French Languages as the Official Languages of the Government and Courts of the Dominion of Canada and in the Provinces of Quebec and Manitoba. I believe that these 2 Language Policies should stand and we should see the French Language be restored as an Official Language of the Province of Manitoba and the English Language be restored as an Official Language of the Province of Quebec.

    UnitedEmpireLoyalist

    July 28, 2009 at 6:18 pm

  14. When I say that Quebec needs to “open up” (which is something I have both said before and believe), I’m actually not talking about Quebecois watching “Friends” in English or even — for that matter — learning English. My issue is that there is often a knee-jerk reaction to English and English-speaking people. For example, it serves almost no purpose not to have English on the tourist maps around Montreal or, for that matter, in the Metro. It’s not exactly welcoming for American tourists to be told that they need to “learn French” (which happened to my sister.) Nor does it make any sense for emergency exit instructions to be printed in French at regular size and then English at a size so small they couldn’t be read (check out the Scotiabank Theatre downtown.) It doesn’t help when the PQ propose laws basically saying “welcome to Quebec, Mr. Wong, by the way if you don’t learn French in three years and pass a test to prove it, we’ll essentially cut you out of the public life of this province. Bonne chance!” I even have a friend whose first language is neither English nor French and who basically pretends she doesn’t speak French at all because of how she feels she has been treated in this province.

    The result of these and many other actions is a resentment so large that it works counter to the aims of building a unified Quebec. In the end, this hurts Quebec as a province and — for those who have separatist aims — it ensures that there is a large block of people who will constantly work against their interest precisely because they have been taught again and again that Quebec doesn’t include them.

    So, I think when people say “Quebec needs to open up” it doesn’t mean throw French on the trash-heap, it means that there are many people who come here from all over the world and speak English and who either harbor no animosity or simply don’t know about the historic struggles of French-Canadians. Resist the urge to lump them all together and resist the urge of thinking that just because they use a language that you feel has historically been used to oppress you that they want to use it in the same way and for the same goals.

    Edgy555

    July 29, 2009 at 11:41 am

  15. Le canada devrait s’ouvrir à la culture québécoise.

    française

    July 29, 2009 at 4:48 pm

  16. c’est parce qu’ils pensent qu’ils sont plus doués en anglais que toi en français.

    française

    July 29, 2009 at 6:28 pm

  17. “It doesn’t help when the PQ propose laws basically saying “welcome to Quebec, Mr. Wong, by the way if you don’t learn French in three years and pass a test to prove it, we’ll essentially cut you out of the public life of this province.”

    How would this be different from most any other country in the world where knowledge of the national language is required for citizenship?

    Acajack

    July 30, 2009 at 5:57 am

  18. Mr. Acajack:

    One of the PQ’s proposals was that people who didn’t pass a French test wouldn’t even be permitted to contribute money to a political party. With all due respect, you seriously believe that this is 1) reasonable and 2) doesn’t contribute at all to mistrust, division and rancor?

    Edgy555

    July 30, 2009 at 11:48 am

  19. Acajack

    The Province of Quebec must restore English as an Official Language of the Province. Both English and French should have equal rights and privileges and be treated the same under the Law. Such Laws like Bill 22 (Official Language Act) that illegaly and unconstitutionaly removed English as an Official Language made French the Sole Official Language of the Province of Quebec and other such anti-English Language Laws like Bill 101 (Charter of the French Language) is just disgusting and should no be allowe to exist in a 21st Century Democracy. The Constitution Act of 1867 Established both English and French as Official Languages of the Dominion of Canada and it’s Province of Quebec. French is still an Official Language of the Dominion of Canada, why can’t English be an Official Language of the Province of Quebec, this does not seem fair to mee. The French Language survived and thrived in the Province of Quebec for over 200 Years when both English and French were Official Languages. I say that the Province of Quebec should not be Unilingual (French) Speaking but a Bilingual (English-French) Speaking Province. Both English and French Languages and Cultures should be protected snd celebrated in the Province of Quebec.

    Constitution Act of 1867
    Use of English and French Languages
    Section 133

    Either the English or the French Language may be used in the Debates of the Houses of the Parliament of Canada and of the Houses of the Legislature of Quebec and both those Languages shall be used in the respective Records and Journels of those Houses: and either of those Languages may be used by any Person in or any Pleading or Process, in or issuing from any Court of Canada established under this Act, and in or from all or any of the Courts of Quebec.

    The Acts of the Parliament of Canada and of the Legislature of Quebec shall be printed and published in both those Languages.

    http://www.solon.org/Constitutions/Canada/English/ca_1867.html

    I believe that if an Immnigrant wants to move to the Province of Quebec that he or she must know both English and French to do so. Both English and French should be manditory for the immigrants who come to the Dominion of Canada and who want to settle in the Province of Quebec. Both English and French Language Tests should be given to potential immigrants. Immigrants should be encouraged to speak both English and French when they move to the Province of Quebec.

    RESTORE THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE AS AN OFFICIAL LANGUAGE OF THE PROVINCE OF QUEBEC ASAP.

    God Save the Queen
    Long Live a United Canada

    UnitedEmpireLoyalist

    July 30, 2009 at 8:55 pm

  20. You know why it’s in there. It’s because the PQ is still PO’d about all the money that was spent by people from outside Quebec (and got around the maximum amount allowed to be spent by both sides under the law) during the 1995 referendum.

    Methinks you’re just looking for stuff. There are distinctions between citizens and non-citizens all around the world, as there are strict controls on political party financing in many places (seen by most people as a progressive thing BTW), and there are sub-national entities like Swiss cantons that are empowered to grant citizenship.

    Personally, I don’t really care whether Quebec (within Canada) gets its own citizenship or not. But to try and portray it as some evil thing (especially when the bar to obtain it is relatively low and virtually identical to that found in many other places) is just a canard if you ask me.

    Some people are just hyper allergic to any manifestation of Quebec’s distinctiveness or flirtations with greater autonomy.

    Acajack

    July 31, 2009 at 9:59 am

  21. How about the rest of Canada open up to French first. So what you can’t read a French sign in ONE of the provinces, you have all the others in English, think of out how it is for the Quebecois when they travel. Ya! English signs everywhere. Until I see more French in other parts of Canada I’ll say no to English signs in Quebec. Canada should be more like New Brunswick till then too bad for those who can’t read French!

    V

    August 7, 2009 at 1:05 am

  22. Hi,
    Just my opinion, but ya,
    its like that in any culture.
    I lived in the carribean for about 4 years, and it really pays to know Spanish. I did my best, and they did they’re best to slowly make it work. But it wasn’t just language, it was the whole cultural experience for me, the good the bad and the ugly.
    I don’t regret a single minute. In fact, I almost didn’t want to come back to my native Canada -where I was born in Kingston :)
    anyway, when in Rome you “eventually” gotta live like the Romans and thats it. End of story.
    Quebec is always gonna be primarily French culture,.., with some English culture,…, too.
    Europe has had 1000’s of years of experience in dealing with the issues we have been dealing with for only the last 100 years or so.
    Maybe it’ll end up Quebec being a separate country; how separate? who knows,
    Will parts of the rest of Canada do the same?.. who knows, ? I sure hope not, but again ?
    Wherever we go, and whatever we do, we all gotta interact with other people though. Borders won’t matter either any more.
    Its not just about a French and/or English Language.
    If it was just that -it would be easy. We all know now, it’s much deeper than that.
    In fact, that alone didn’t work. We are now a couple generations out of that bullshit. Good ‘ole Pierre Trudeau. God knows He tried, and that 1982 Constitution proved it for ALL Canadians, of all origins, …
    But, you cannot make ANYONE learn a language that they don’t want to. But, “Having” to learn it, under any form of “oppression” is wrong on any side, no matter what.

    My best friend of 25 years lives in Montreal. He’s lived there since ’84 and he loves it. He and his wife are comfortable there, Its their home.
    Thinking back, when we were young kids growing up, I didn’t care that he was a “Viau”, and he didn’t care that I was a “Gregory”
    Later on, as we grew up, we had some bad arguements, and went through different experiences obviously too over the years over this French/English crap, and we finally came to the realization that our friendship, and our trust in that, was more important than any political language hoopla.
    And THAT, my friends’ no one can “separate”, Constitution or no Constitution,…, whatever.
    I’m still a little jealous of him because his French and English is extremely well, whereas my French sucks’. But we both know that if I was raised in (French-speaking)Montreal I would have a much better handle on my French. ok, maybe he still doesn’t think that ;)
    Anyway, if more Canadians had more of the relationship that I am proud to still have with my friend, well what can I say but tabarnak, Canada would not be having these stupid problems today.
    Give it all another dozen generations or so, if us humans are all still around, and it won’t matter any more, because we will ALL be multicultural, whether we know it or not. Ecouter ?
    :)

    cheers/salut my friends.

    Rickster

    January 26, 2010 at 2:02 am

  23. I was going to follow a link to a Chantal Hebert column and post a response, but I would have had to interact with the Toronto Star’s website; some things simply carry too high a price.

    What became of Rene Simard? I well remember how throngs of Torontonians would sit in front of their televisions, anxiously awaiting the next offering from that talented monsieur. Of course, the heavily subsidized CBC could always be relied upon to discover some new “talented” Quebecois. How wonderful it was to watch some unknown baguette boy warbling a charming french ditty, followed by the nightly news accounts of Rene Levesque’s latest efforts to shred the country.

    To think, Celine Dion has gone Vegas! I would have thought that Sin City would have already filled its quota of french whores……I guess there’s always room for one more.

    Brit1

    February 18, 2010 at 3:55 am

  24. Please, no one pay attention to what “United Empire Loyalist” says. He is a demented Internet troll who posts his anglo-supremisism in as many public forums as he can find, and his idiotic ravings do not reflect the sentiments of sane and tolerant Canadians.

    D.I.D.

    March 6, 2010 at 11:46 pm

  25. I understand that Quebecers want to keep their language. That’s fair. But then, learn how to spell it properly damn it. I went to UQAM and I was disgusted by how many grammar mistakes french speaking people made. You wanna defend la langue française? Well first step would be to learn how to write it correctly.

    Q

    April 21, 2010 at 1:34 pm

  26. Your comments disgust me … I’m tired of your racism and I think it’s about time for Canada to put on it’s pants and make Quebec respect human rights just like any other province. Why would an English speaking country tolerate such treatment of the English culture in Quebec?

    It’s only right to open up to ”ANY” culture. English people also happen to be human beings you know.

    My ancestors come from Quebec.. I’m more of a Quebecer then most people here. Most Quebecers I could say are imposters who come from Ireland. Learn your history.

    I understand why my ancestors left. Who wants to live with such rude and impolite people.

    it’s a good thing there are still some good hearted Quebecers here or I would have been gone a long time ago.

    Angie

    July 6, 2010 at 6:11 pm

  27. Can i not just eat my crepes in PEACE!?!?!

    Vladamir

    April 28, 2011 at 8:09 pm

  28. Just curious..why is your blog in English??

    Kim

    October 13, 2012 at 2:28 pm

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    You can hire a vibrating plate to compact the sand.
    For your landscaping needs, artificial grass is surely an excellent option since it provides superb combination of economy, sturdiness and artistic appeal.

  30. hello aaron and the two other guys that are teaching alsoingde with him! i am so stoked to hear you guys got kids! i’ve been praying for that this week while I’ve been out LITing at camp. I wish I could come and teach with you guys but so many kids here are also coming to know Jesus as their Savior. I can’t wait to teach clubs but I am so glad you guys got kids!!!! That has been a prayer request of mine is that your club would get lots of kids especially because we did a lot of advertising and I’ve been praying that God would bring out the kids he wants to that club and that he would soften the parents hearts to bring their kids to the club that we advertised to before the week-end. Hope you guys have a great last day of teaching your club and just go strong!!!!!!! God bless you guys and have a great week-end!!!!!Hope that y

    Andrey

    October 25, 2015 at 3:42 am


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