Provincial Liberals launch petition denouncing 'Quebec bashing' after English federal leaders debate
"The Quebec described in these questions is not our Quebec."
The provincial Liberal party has joined Quebec's Premier Francois Legault in denouncing the tone and wording of the questions used by federal leaders debate moderator Shachi Kurl on Thursday.
"The remarks made at the leaders' debate in English accusing Quebec of all the evils were simply unacceptable," reads the preamble of a petition signed by PLQ leader Dominique Anglade.
In the debate, Kurl asked Bloc Quebecois leader Yves-François Blanchet about controversial legislation barring people from wearing religious symbols in some jobs and another aimed at modernizing Quebec's French Language Charter (Bill 101).
“You deny that Quebec has problems with racism,” she said. “Yet you defend legislation such as bills 96 and 21, which marginalize religious minorities, anglophones, and allophones.”
“For those outside the province, please help them understand why your party also supports these discriminatory laws.”
Blanchet responded, suggesting the question was biased.
“The question seems to imply the answer you want,” he said. “Those laws are not about discrimination. They are about the values of Quebec.”
Legault took objection to the question calling the suggestion that the laws were discriminatory or racist "ridiculous."
"I cannot understand how we can end up with this kind of question," he said.
Anglade's party's petition "Le Québec bashing, ça va faire" says, "this kind of talk has no place."
"We are an open, free, strong and proud people who have frank discussions on subjects that are often delicate and do not always lead to consensus," the preamble reads. "These disagreements, however, do not allow anyone to talk about Quebec in this way."
The petition asks those who denounce the comments to sign.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Doctors ask Liberal government to reconsider capital gains tax change
The Canadian Medical Association is asking the federal government to reconsider its proposed changes to capital gains taxation, arguing it will affect doctors' retirement savings.
Keeping these exotic pets is 'cruel' and 'dangerous,' Canadian animal advocates say
Canadian pet owners are finding companionship beyond dogs and cats. Tigers, alligators, scorpions and tarantulas are among some of the exotic pets they are keeping in private homes, which pose risks to public safety and animal welfare, advocates say.
Demonstrators kicked out of Ontario legislature for disruption after failed keffiyeh vote
A group of demonstrators were kicked out of the legislature after a second NDP motion calling for unanimous consent to reverse a ban on the keffiyeh failed to pass.
BREAKING Man wanted in connection with deadly shooting in Toronto tops list of most wanted fugitives in Canada
A 35-year-old man wanted in connection with the murder of Toronto resident 29-year-old Sharmar Powell-Flowers nine months ago has topped the list of the BOLO program’s 25 most wanted fugitives across Canada, police announced Tuesday.
Prince William and wife Kate thank public for birthday messages for son Louis
Prince William and his wife Kate thanked the public for their messages which had been sent to mark the sixth birthday of their youngest son Louis on Tuesday.
She was the closest she'd ever been to meeting her biological father. Then life dealt her a blow
Anne Marie Cavner was the closest she'd ever been to meeting her biological father, but then life dealt her a blow. From an unexpected loss to a host of new relationships, a DNA test changed her life, and she doesn't regret a thing.
How quietly promised law changes in the 2024 federal budget could impact your day-to-day life
The 2024 federal budget released last week includes numerous big spending promises that have garnered headlines. But, tucked into the 416-page document are also series of smaller items, such as promising to amend the law regarding infant formula and to force banks to label government rebates, that you may have missed.
Fire engulfs old Edmonton municipal airport hangar
A historical hangar at the former Edmonton municipal airport beside the NAIT main campus was on fire Monday night.
Soft skills, preparation can help new graduates land jobs, experts say
As new graduates enter the workforce over the next few weeks, they are likely to face challenges getting their foot in the door and must be prepared to effectively communicate what they bring to the company.