Anglos need a political party they can count on

A new version of the Equality Party can only be better than what we have now, Robert Libman says.

Quebec anglophones are political orphans. Geoffrey Chambers's piece in the Gazette last week (“We're committed Quebecers who deserve respect” Opinion, Dec. 18) and Don Macpherson's final column (“In politics, Quebec non-francophones don't count” Dec. 19) both underscore a common theme. There is not a single political party in Quebec or in Ottawa today that Quebec's linguistic minority can expect to defend their rights or speak up on other issues of concern. It is politically incorrect to do so and heresy to question the nationalist pretension that French is in imminent danger in Montreal.

Liberal MP Emmanuella Lambropoulos, in a carefully phrased manner, asked during an official languages committee meeting for proof of the decline of French. She was immediately thrown under the bus by her own party as well as the Conservative opposition. All parties are petrified of the nationalist elite and media in this province, because they are vying for the majority's votes.

Chambers's piece calls on anglophone Quebecers to “speak up for ourselves.” I think it is time to take it one step further to something more tangible. It is time to consider again the need for a political party committed to Quebec minority communities.

The language debate is about to be ratcheted up again in the new year, and being naked politically is a major concern. The Coalition Avenir Québec government is poised to table new legislation and the city of Montreal is planning to introduce its own measures to protect French.

Unfortunately, language is a zero-sum game in this province, which means that real measures to protect and enhance the French language and culture are often politically confused with the need to diminish the presence of English. The rights and institutions of anglophones will certainly be under pressure. Quebec wants to subject Quebec businesses under federal jurisdiction to Bill 101, despite the fact that such business already operate in Quebec with French predominance, with very few exceptions, if any. Meanwhile, the Liberal government in Ottawa is preparing revisions to the Official Languages Act that may completely undermine the essence of the country by treating Canada's official language minorities in an asymmetrical fashion.

Quebec's anglophone community has participated actively in the reinforcement of French in Quebec for the past generation. Those of us who remained are bilingual, as are our kids. The English school system has shifted dramatically toward the intensive teaching of French and immersion programs. Despite all this, the campaign continues to further minimize our contribution and importance to this province and city.

Certain organizations have been active in challenging legislation, but politically there is an important void. Twenty-five years ago, the Equality Party came apart because of internal divisions and referendum polarization. But it achieved its purpose. For five years, the issues of concern to the community were being brought directly to the floor of the National Assembly with the differing viewpoints present in the francophone media, leading to the sign-law restrictions on English being eased. Resolutions condemning “Bonjour-hi” are a symbolic affront to our history and place in this city, yet are adopted unanimously in the National Assembly, supported by MNAS from predominantly anglophone ridings. This would never happen with “true representatives” in the legislature.

The Quebec Community Groups Network (QCGN) this past year set up a renewal committee that has been mandated to propose a renewed vision and mission. Although the QCGN would not be itself entering into partisan politics, I am hoping that they will recommend that the community take concrete action and explore its political options.

There is enough fatigue and antipathy toward all political parties that a single-issue party with the objective of bringing the concerns of minorities to the floor of a legislature can only be better than what we have now.