Quebec anglos, Bill 101 and Yosemite Sam
Language law’s impact over 40 years has been severe, Robert Libman says.
A famous Bugs Bunny cartoon titled Bunker Hill Bunny ends with Yosemite Sam conceding defeat and the loss of his stone fortress. In tatters, he trumpets the phrase “If you can’t beat ’em, join ’em” and marches off alongside a victorious Bugs Bunny playing the song The Girl I Left Behind.
This August will mark the 40th anniversary of the adoption of Bill 101, the Charter of the French Language, which was society-altering legislation. English-speaking Quebecers won’t be celebrating; hundreds of thousands of our compatriots picked up and left Quebec because of it.
Those who stayed don’t have the energy or desire anymore to fight the law and have made a genuine effort to adapt to the new reality. Most Quebec anglophones who remained can today speak French and have strived to educate their kids in the language of the majority. The community complained at times, when the rules or certain extremists went too far, but was typically compliant and non-threatening. Most anglophones today will even say publicly that they appreciate and accept the French fact and that this is what makes Montreal a special city.
But the impact has been severe. The critical mass needed to support our community infrastructure has been eroded considerably. Add to this an environment in which our language is relegated to second-class status. This transformation to minority status was a shock to the psyche of a proud and historic English community, particularly in Montreal where the community wielded significant economic, academic and professional power. Our valued institutions, the Jewish General Hospital, the Montreal Neuro, McGill and Concordia universities, welcomed with open arms more and more francophone patients and students.
Unfortunately, the francophone majority, the French media and political class have rarely acknowledged this effort of adherence by the
Hundreds of thousands of our compatriots picked up and left Quebec because of it.
anglophone minority and we continue to have almost a taboo status. It is still unacceptable for the slightest outreach or concession to be afforded to the English community.
Unfortunately, this is morphing into what is becoming more and more of a troubling trend of late; the almost “matter of fact” marginalization and gradual erasure of our presence and historic contributions to Quebec society and Montreal. This is often with the complicity of those who should be looking out for our interests. A few examples include:
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s refusal to respond in English to a question posed by an anglophone in Sherbrooke because, as the PM said, “He was in Quebec.” (He later backtracked.)
The new high school history curriculum in Quebec renders our community and contribution to Quebec almost invisible.
Not a single Quebec anglophone was named to the House of Commons standing Committee on Official Languages, the body that is supposed to ensure the protection of both linguistic minorities. The Commissioner of Official Languages refused to accept an official complaint.
Our own health-care institutions and universities are often overlooking qualified members from our community in order to hire members of the majority.
Practically nothing related to Montreal’s 375th birthday gives a nod to our community.
The MUHC is constantly being singled out for criticism and budget cuts by the health minister. The anglophone community is sick and tired of issues that matter to them being taken for granted by the Quebec Liberals, a party most of them have loyally supported for decades.
Josh Freed and Julius Grey wrote thoughtprovoking pieces last month about the anniversary of Bill 101, but both concluded that the lasting effects have been somewhat positive for both sides. They’re right if we share Yosemite Sam’s submissive acceptance of his plight. But at least in the meantime we should resist having the history of our contribution to this province and city stripped away from us. Robert Libman served as member of the National Assembly for D’Arcy McGee and as leader of the Equality Party.