MONTREAL — It didn't come as much of a surprise.
A new study out this week finds that Montreal's business leaders are worried. The business climate is deteriorating. There are many reasons. And yes, our student entitlement protestors must share some of the blame.
But there are other reasons including our crumbling infrastructure. We are facing yet another summer of "You can't get there from here." As if people didn't need another reason not to come downtown, now the streets are literally collapsing beneath our feet.
So against this backdrop, what does the government do? It unleashes its hounds to make it even more difficult for business.
The language office has decided that after 35 years of leaving businesses alone, its time to take a closer look at company names.
I am sure 99 .9 per cent of all Quebecers can tell you what they sell at Canadian Tire. The real reason for demanding French generic names along with brand names right now is political.
The government wants to not appear weak on language heading into an election. English is always as easy target. And does it matter if business has to make expensive changes? Evidently not "Chez nous."
Language spat on the metro
Miguel Montano is from Columbia and he's a pretty good soccer player for the Impact. But he must be wondering what he is doing here.
His crime this week was trying to buy a metro ticket in English. The ticket taker apparently told him to speak French if he wanted to ride. I'm not sure if the employee was more upset at his lack of language skills or Miguel's obvious non-Quebecois roots.
Now the STM is investigating.
A spokeswoman says there's a zero-tolerance policy for racism and transit employees know it. But also points out under Bill 101, there are no requirements for any public employee to speak any other language than French. Just try to circle that square. To be fair, the STM has many wonderful employees but visible minorities are sometimes treated dismissively by transit workers.
It's not new and it's not right. The STM must be held to account this time and every time. Its nothing but hypocrisy.
Pauline Marois removes the red square
Pauline Maoris has decided to stop wearing the red square. Marois doesn't want to be seen wearing a symbol that is so divisive anymore. In other words, on the wrong side of the issue. In other other words, to annoy people during summer holidays, In other other other words, pure political opportunism.
She has been a prime force between the student unrest and social crisis that enveloped this province. I'm not so sure she picked the right side. Now obviously, neither does she.
And on a brighter note, Environment Canada is predicting a long hot summer. After everything we have been through lately, we should all take a deep breath and enjoy the heat, at least until mid-August, when odds are you will see election signs popping up faster than dandelions after a spring rain.
