Due to the events this past week, criticism is being launched at politicians in Quebec, claiming that the struggle for a cleansed, purified Quebec identity is nothing short of racism.
The Parti Québécois is a separatist political party that supports sovereignty for Quebec and secession from Canada. The Parti Québécois recently proposed Bill 195, the Quebec Identity Act. In an attempt to restore and protect the Quebec culture, the Act would require all new immigrants to learn the French languge within a three year time period, or else forfeit the rights of holding public office, raising money for a political party, or petitioning Parliament with grievances.
Parti Québécois leader Pauline Marois claims that the Act would defend the French language and culture in Quebec. She believes that all immigrants entering Quebec should be "reasonably accomodated," and have not been in the past. Marois says that Quebec will pay for French instruction for immigrants. The Quebec population is approximately 40% immigrants according to Lorrie Goldstein (author of the article), the majority being Muslim. Immigrants already living in Quebec would not be subject to the new law, but all those entering after the law passed would be subject to the law.
The Parti Québécois bill is vague in the language used to explain the type of French the immigrants must acquire. The bill states that the immigrants must have an "appropriate" knowledge of the language and does not specify what the word appropriate entails. Who has the authority to determine an appropriate level or knowledge of the French language? Is there a test the immigrants must pass or will they be subject to the judgment of the government? Would judgment from the government even be fair given the circumstances and the motives of the different political parties?
Both the Liberals and the ADQ (the two major political parties in Quebec) are in opposition to the Quebec Identity Act, claiming that the bill would divide Quebec into two classes of citizens. Both leaders of the parties (Jean Charlest and Mario Dumont, respectively) see the bill as unlikely to pass. However, although the Liberals and the ADQ have criticized the bill, anti-immigrant sentiment appears to be common in Quebec. Polls have demonstrated an escalating concern that immigrants are not assimilating into the Quebec society. Many citizens have complained that the federal government has been too helpful to immigrants.
The Bloc Québécois (another political party in Quebec) put forth a bill this week to keep Muslim women from voting behind their burkas. The Bloc Québécois is a federal political party in Canada whose main goal is sovereignty for Quebec. Members and supporters are known as "Bloquistes", and intend to defend the interests of all Québécois in Ottawa through legislation. The Bloc Québécois originated in 1990, and currently maintain support. However, their support base has been decreasing in the past few years. The Parti Québécois is much older than the Bloc Québécois (orginating in 1968), and members of the Parti Québécois are generally called péquisites. It currently is the 3rd party in Quebec's National Assembly behind the Liberals and the ADQ ( Action démocratique du Quebec). Although not officially linked to the Bloc Québécois, the Parti Québécois is often associated with the Bloc Québécois. Both desire independence for Quebec and social democracy, and the parties tend to support each other during elections. Many members of one party are also members of the other party, and members tend to vote in favor of the same issues.
Whether the Quebec Identity Act passes or not, the fact that the Parti Québécois proposed the bill is symbolic of the efforts to separate Quebec from the influence of immigration and the anti-immigration sentiment that has been labeled as racism by several critics.
In terms of language, this issue suggests an important connection between language and identity. The politicians in favor of the Quebec Identity Act imply that in order to preserve Quebec culture and what defines Quebec, the French language must be used. This statement is ironic, considering that Quebec's immigrant population is increasing, creating an environment that becomes more multicultural as time passes. According to wikipedia, in 2001, about 15% of Quebec's population spoke languages other than French or English. Goldstein, (author of "Fanning anti-immigrant flames"), claims that the new immigrant population will be approximately 40%. How can the French language be reflective of the identity of a multicultural province?
The association between language and identity is one that is omnipresent. We have discussed in class about how when we cannot communicate with someone because of a language barrier, we feel that we cannot connect, and that the other person is almost unhuman. We tend to feel most "ourselves" when we converse in our native language and can feel lost when trying to speak in one with which we are less familiar. What is it about our language that makes us so protective of it? Why does the Parti Québécois find it so important to Quebec's culture that the population knows French? What is it about French that creates the Quebec identity and culture. Can you create an identity in the absence of a common language, or in the absence of any language at all?
Although we do not have laws forcing people to learn English in California, do we in a sense evoke the same sentiment? Do we create an environment in which those who cannot speak a certain language feel ostracized and cannot be as successful? Do those who do not speak English lose opportunities, not so much by legal actions, but by the circumstances? Is this feeling that a certain language represents the identity of a region or country something that is deep seeded in all societies?
Links:
1. Goldstein, Lorrie (2007). "Fanning anti-immigrant flames". Sun Media Corporation. Retrieved from http://www.edmontonsun.com/Comment/2007/10/25/4603586-sun.html on October 28, 2007.
2. Martin, Don (2007). "It's racism-in any language." National Post. Retrieved from http://www.canada.com/nationalpost/story.html?id=c28a61f1-5dd6-484c-b9ff-991e669850e7 on October 28, 2007.
3. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parti_Québécois
4. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bloc_Québécois
5. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quebec#Demographics
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3 comments:
Great post, thorough discussion of a complicated issue. Others on the class have blogged about this and related issues, such as similar struggles over language and identity in Belgium. What are some ways this type of issue might be resolved? Are any of these solutions really viable?
i really enjoyed this post, especially the questions you pose at the end. In terms of alienation through the language conduit, I think California does a pretty good job at preventing this from happening. Especially in metropolitan LA and the ethnically diverse bay area, cultural as well as foreign language education are pretty well addressed. California is a verifitible mixing pot of cultures, so to speak, and with all the institutionalized programs that facilitate immigrant transfer to the US, I think language ostracization occurs on a much smaller scale (and I speak from a completely objectified, third person state, giving no consideration to being a decade long californian :) )
another thing that struck me was the three year period in which Quebec residents are given to learn French. How do you see this connected with the critical period discussed in class?
What intrigued me the most about this issue was the fact that the plan proposes the government pay for the education of immigrants. Where will these funds come from? Is it acceptable for a government to place a unity of language over other societal needs like education and health care? Does language matter that much?
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