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    Thursday, December 28, 2006

    'When you grow up as a franco-Québécois, you learn to be suspicious about the anglos"

    From a chat page on the Gazette's site.

    Anglo-Montrealers's opinion about Québec separation

    Hello, I am a franco-Québecois (you will soon notice that my english is not perfect), separatist forever. I was borned and raised in Québec city and i move to Montréal ten years ago. As far as i remember, i have always been a separatist, and i always voted for the Parti Québécois and the Bloc even if i'm looking forward to vote for another issue than the «Question nationale», I live in the east part of the Plateau where it's mostly francophone, most if my friends are also francophone. At work, there's only 5 or 6 anglos for about 40 emplyees. But working downtown Mtl for 10 years got me to have more contacts with anglos and i really llike the totally «bilangual mixed» of the downtown where, i think, both communities repect the other one. I like heareag people speaking both languages in the same conversation and i think it's funny when i start speaking in english to a franco and when it takes few exanges to realize that we are both francos. To be honest, when you grow up as a franco-Québécois, unfortunatly, you learn to be suspicious about the anglos. But after a long trip in western Canada, after learning english better (growing up in Québec city doesn't help the learning of english) and after moving to Mtl, i got the know «the others» better and to appraciate them. That told, i have to say that I am still a separatist and nothing could change my mind. I wish we could win the next referendum, but i have concerns about the english community. I would like that some of you could vote YES but I know that it's hard for you to do so. In an independant Québec, i'm fully in favour of giving you the rights you deserve, but i also would like you to take part of our project. I had a few political discussion with an anglo-coworker who is very francophile. He said that he was a soft federalist. So i'm now asking you. What do you think about the Québec separatits and the Parti Québecois? Do you understand oupont of view, do you hate us? Are you planning to move to TO or Calgary if Québec separation ? (what i don't want you to do) Do you wanna engage a big political fight to annex the WestIsland to Ontario? (I think that would be a bad thing for Montréal). Thank you for you opinion and free to express your point of view about connexed issues like the language laws.

    2 comments:

    Daisylixxx said...

    Well, I'm a French-Canadian and I live in Ste-Anne-de-Bellevue. I was brought up in a french family but was placed in an english school board. I find myself to be an extremely lucky person. I have parents that saw a future of hardship if French was my only language. I am proud to be Québecois, but when I hear about separatist...I wonder why? I understand 'le fierté de ton pays', which is why I am a very proud Canadian. Ian, please explain to me how seperating from the rest of Canada can be a good thing for Québec....I don't understand how this province could become completely independant and survive on its own. I'm sad to say but most people I've met/known over time that want to seperate from Canada, don't even have the sense to get off goverment assisstance....do you really think that Québec could sustain such a high debt like that? Will you take a pay cut to support the people who think everyone OWES them something for speeaking French (uhm I mean, speaking Québecois).

    Please Ian, explain this to me. I truly want to understand your point of view - you seem like someone who seems educated enough to express more than just pride.

    I really want to understand the intellectual & educated part of a seperatist.

    Ian Kenney said...

    hey!