|
For many Anglophones, who no longer apologize for their intolerant stance, French Canada has called the shots long enough. It is clear from their distressing comments that they do not even bother distinguishing between separatists, nationalists, Action Démocratique members or federalists. Consider two recent examples. A Commonwealth Games swimmer dares to take a small fleur-de-lys flag on her way to the podium. She is immediately accused of harming the morale of the whole swim team. It soon becomes apparent that, in the eyes of Team Canada's Anglophone trainer, Quebecers inspire horror and distrust. The incident embarrassed the Swimming Federation and led to official excuses, albeit awkward and late. The lack of eagerness of the authorities to act decisively in this case illustrates more than any argument just how fragile respect and acceptance of French-speaking Canadians can be at the national level.
The other example dates back to last December when Statistics Canada published the results of the last census, which showed that the number of families with a mother tongue other than French or English was on the rise. The Anglophone press did not need much more to get excited. The Calgary Sun, amongst others, blared: "Bilingualism Policy no longer reflects reality: Official Languages Act completely outdated". Under the pretext that Farsi, Hindi or Chinese is spoken by a certain number of immigrants, French must be relegated to the discarded heap. The reality is that for many of the newcomers to our shores, whether from Iran, Pakistan, or China, there is one overarching priority: to integrate into our midst, and to learn one of the country's two official languages. But that consideration did not grab the attention of a number of western commentators as they chose to express the desire to see the elimination of French and of the "exaggerated" privileges the French-speaking population is supposed to have enjoyed since the beginning of Confederation. Under the circumstances, one has to wonder whether the sometimes involuntary, sometimes voluntary intolerance emanating from the anglo majority will not one day discourage federalist resolve, amongst even the most patient of Canada's allies in Quebec.
When considering attitudes such as the ones depicted above, it becomes nearly impossible to hide the fact that the real separatists (i.e. those who refuse to make room for their fellow citizens) are often on our side of the fence. Those among us, who see secessionists as navel gazing, short sighted individuals with a primitive desire for revenge, would be well advised to look first in their own mirror.
|
