French-speaking Canadians reject British Queen's possible visit

[Flagg]

Source: AFP

FRENCH-SPEAKING CANADIANS REJECT BRITISH QUEEN'S POSSIBLE VISIT
Received Saturday, 14 April 2007 22:27:00 GMT


MONTREAL, April 14, 2007 (AFP) - The prospect of a visit by Britain's Queen Elizabeth II inflamed nationalist feeling in Canada's French-speaking province of Quebec, with predictions of protests by critics in the media Saturday.
"You can be sure that people will demonstrate in protest" if organizers invite the queen to the province's 400th anniversary celebrations next year, said Mario Beaulieu of the Quebec nationalist Saint-Jean-Baptiste Society.
The province was first colonized by France in 1608 but later conquered by Britain.
"We are celebrating the foundation of New France, not its conquest," said Beaulieu. "The monarchy remains a symbol of imperialism and colonialism. Her presence will not be welcomed."
Organizers of the celebrations and the Canadian government have not yet said whether the British sovereign would be on the invitation list for the 2008 event.

Read more: http://www.ttc.org/200704142227.l3emrfd13635.htm

[Solo_in_MD]

1. The "vrai laine" never get it, do they

They are snobbier than the Tidewader Virgians and about as useful

[DavidDvorkin]

2. "We reject history!"

"So there!"

[stormymonday]

3. Must be something wrong with my history books

They keep telling me that in 1608 France was just as monarchist, imperialist and colonialist as its perfidious English neighbour.

[DavidDvorkin]

6. And far more oppressive to its own citizens

[CHIMO]

4. And From A Canadian Paper(Commercial)

A birthday visit by the Queen? Quebeckers are not amused

QUEBEC — A suggestion the Queen should be invited to Quebec City's 400th anniversary birthday bash next year has created an uproar in the province.

“Have we forgotten that England deported the Acadians, sent Louis Riel to the gallows and exploited francophones?” asked one caller to a TQS television show that dedicated a full hour to the news.

The Queen hasn't been to Quebec City since 1964, when she was met by a huge crowd of booing separatists who were violently dispersed by truncheon-wielding police.

The Queen hasn't set foot in Quebec City since the infamous “ samedi de la matraque” or Truncheon Saturday in October of 1964 when police, wielding billy clubs, charged into a demonstration organized by nationalists protesting against her visit. It was one of Quebec's bloodiest confrontations and has remained a powerful symbol of the province's opposition to the British monarchy.

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20070413.wqueen0414/BNStory/National/home

Also an interesting tidbit about language and Canada.

Newspaper project captures francophone history

March 30, 2007 - Edmonton - Walking down the street 100 years ago in Edmonton, you'd be far more likely to hear "Ceci de dernière minute!" than "Extra, extra read all about it!"

Until around 1914, English was the fourth most common language spoken in Edmonton, after French, Cree and Gaelic. The French had been drawn to the area through the fur trade prior to colonization and were a tremendous presence in the area. Because of the strong French influence in the area, francophone newspapers of the day reveal a great deal about the history of the region.

http://www.expressnews.ualberta.ca/article.cfm?id=8337

[brentspeak]

5. Good grief. I hope that the majority of Quebec citizens don't listen to idiots like Beaulieu

It's morans like Beaulieu who are trying to ruin a perfectly excellent country -- Canada -- by having Quebec secede from it.

[harpboy_ak]

7. it's spelled MORON

It's morons like you who ruin a perfectly excellent post by calling people "morans". The word is MORON, except to those that are one.

[muriel_volestrangler]

8. You've been a member since 2002 without knowing the moran/moron joke?

Wow, how did you manage that? Better not to call DUers 'morons' though - that's obviously against the rules (which you seem unfamiliar with as well).

[Earth_First]

9. Lurk a bit longer young grasshopper...

Until then, I do believe that you owe brentspeak an appology...

[SayWhatYo]

10. Nice post, dude...

:eyes:

I believe the "moran" spelling is more of ?meme? that was caused by that guy holding a sign that said "get a brain morans"...



While talking about that photo. Does anyone know if that is a real sign or was it photoshopped? I mean, I know there are a lot of illiterate people out there, but I figured someone would have caught that before hand... Although, I suppose that would explain why it was photographed. :D

[Clintonista2]

13. Whooooooooooooshhhhh!!

[SayWhatYo]

11. I know someone from Alberta and he has some interesting stories...

He was telling me how he hated going to Quebec because the people there treated the "English" like crap. He said they would spit on him and curse at him... Knowing him though, I figured he probably instigated some of it. heh. I also heard some stories from people from the US & the UK who has similar experiences. I always figured they exaggerated, but I've heard such stories from so many people, from Canada, UK and the US...

Is it really like that?

[applegrove]

12. Not at all like that. And the Queen has been avoiding Quebec for decades.

The last time she went to Quebec it was a tourist town near the Ontario border I think. This is old news. She simply hasn't shown any desire to inflame anyone since Quebec Independence has become an issue.

This reeks of politics to me. The Quebecors know very well she likely isn't going to visit but these separatist politicos have to stir the pot a bit with the threat of her coming. Simply put..she just doesn't visit Quebec. Simply put..the separatists are down in the polls and loosing seats: this month in a provincial election, and in the elections to come... so they are panicking.

But you should visit Quebec. It is great. People love Montreal and Quebec city. They are gorgeous and full of life. If you are in the touristy areas..people will talk to you in english if you need it. No they don't spit on you. I've lived there and never been treated badly.

[Clintonista2]

14. In many places it is...

My dad lived in Montreal for 8 years, I currently live in Ottawa, with Quebec being about a 20 minute walk away. When people find out you are english, you get alot of disrespect.

[CHIMO]

15. What Happens

When they find out you are Canadian?