Anglophones in Quebec Have No Rights

Letter to the Canadian People:

Most Canadians do not know that the Province of Quebec has an English population. That is because the politicians in Quebec are KILLING our language and culture. Federal Politicians are NOT helping the Anglophone community in Quebec either. In fact Mr. Harper has embraced the Francophone minorities in other Provinces but NOT done one single thing for the Anglophone community in Quebec!!!

The English Language and Culture is being KILLED in the Province of Quebec and NO ONE is helping us. Every time the question of equal rights is raised in Quebec for the English population, we are shouted down and denied our rights. A FEDERAL leader’s DUTY is to protect minority rights, which also include the English community in Quebec. Are English Quebecers to be denied their rights as Canadians again so that this time a Federal Conservative Political Party can appease French speaking people for votes?

As a Quebec Anglophone, I am sick to death of not having any rights! French politicians are KILLING my culture in Quebec and you Mr. Harper are helping to make it happen. Our culture has been smashed and our friends and family have been scattered across Canada in pursuit of the right to work and live in their culture and language.

Let me tell you something Mr. Harper, my father and many other English Quebecers fought for this country!! They fought hard and brave, many died…but they won the right for their children to live free of oppression. So why is English Quebec STILL being oppressed? We are not allowed to post English signs unless the words are written 50% smaller than the French words…and we had to wait 10 years for that right. FRENCH must be predominant. All Provincial Government buildings including Hospitals are French only. There are little to no English services…unless they are staffed with French people who barely speak English.

The English school system is a shambles with a drop out rate of 40% because 50% of the classes are taught in FRENCH. Our children are not allowed to be schooled in English.

Anyone that comes to Quebec must enrol his or her children in French schools. No one is allowed their freedom of choice and if by chance you are English speaking and petition for the right of English school access, you MUST apply for an English eligibility certificate and prove that you went to an English school.

English is considered illegal in this province. Is that equality? I thought I lived in Canada, where I was guaranteed my rights? I am not working because I am denied the right to work in my language.

I have lived in this Province all of my 47 years. I have a College education, depth and experience in modern Manufacturing practices and systems but I no longer have any rights. Not even to complain.

I am still denied a job in this Province because I am not Fluent in French and I am not alone! Any company that has French management or a French person in charge of human resources will not hire English-speaking Quebecers. A growing majority of the Quebec Anglophone jobless are seeking social assistance, and help from food banks…I am no stranger to asking for help in this regard. It is demoralizing to an educated and skilled worker, especially when the jobless rate is at a 30 year low.

Why hasn’t the rest of Canada heard about the struggle of the English community in Quebec? Government controlled media spewing propaganda? An inept media? Fascist Politicians? Please, someone help us here!! The Montreal English Newspaper will not print this letter. Is it because French interests own it?!

The Anglophone community is hanging on by a thread and the Montreal Gazette does not help us! The CBC, and CTV do not help us! I am willing to bet that not one Canadian Newspaper will run this letter. Why?

If one Canadian newspaper includes this letter, who ever reads it, please send me an e-mail to confirm it or in support. sfbrennan@bell.net

Prejudice, hate, and anger are the evil tools of dictators and I say this, that YOU Mr. Harper are a hypocrite for selling out the English community in Quebec. Why haven’t you pushed for equal rights in this Province? Scared of a political backlash? Why not stand up to the French Quebec that oppresses the English people in the province…stand up and say “Respect is a two way street, to earn it, you also have to give it. Change the laws!!”

I grew up embracing all cultures, and I will NOT be conveniently sacrificed for political gain! I am a HUMAN BEING just like anyone else! Are French people more important than English people Mr. Harper?!!? …Or do you seek their votes?

I have 5 children who also do not speak French very well…what is their Future? What is the future of this Canadian family? Will we be just another family broken up and scattered across Canada? Or will we end up living on the streets? The creditors are pushing me closer to the streets every day.

I am tired of the typical brush off or Quebec Politicians answer of, “You have to be French.” or “You can work anywhere else in Canada.”…Those are not options in the free and equal society called Canada. That is Quebec dictatorship.

I am not allowed to complain, and in a country that prides itself on being fair to minorities why has it forgotten the English community in Quebec? What are Federal Canadian politicians afraid of? Are they afraid of risking separation? Is the Anglophone community in Quebec to be sacrificed for fear? What do I tell my children? The best thing is to move? Wave the magic “demanage wand” and tap your heels, “There’s no place like home!”…“Where is my home?”

I do not have the means to leave this Province, and most Ontario, Alberta, or B.C. companies will not hire from so far away, especially when I have to start from scratch financially. I speak French better than you Mr. Harper. Maybe I should ask the Canadian people for your job! At least I would treat ALL Canadians with respect!!

sfbrennan@bell.net