Quebec, values and the economy

Re: “Conseil clashes with Drainville” (Gazette, Jan. 31)

Bernard Drainville claimed, “Can anyone really say, 40 years later, that Bill 101 hurt the economy? Come on.”

He thus fulfils my personal definition of a fanatic: somebody who believes his own propaganda.

The short answer to Drainville’s question is: “Yes.”

The slightly longer answer is: Hundreds of thousands of people, tens of thousands of jobs, and billions of dollars, left Quebec because of Bill 101. Only a Péquiste who is wilfully ignorant of simple arithmetic would deny that. Today, all that money would come in handy for Quebec’s roads, schools, and hospitals. But Toronto thanks him for the gift. Joseph Aspler

Kirkland

Quebec is on a trip down memory lane, re-enacting its own version of some classic television and Hollywood fare.

In the spirit of that groundbreaking sitcom from the 1970s, All in the Family, the Charter of Quebec Values has provided us with innumerable comments that would do Archie Bunker proud.

The “Meatheads” are left staring in disbelief as the words of lawyers, educators, human rights organizations, health care professionals and businessmen are scoffed at and trivialized.

We are in the middle of a Twilight Zone where issues such as head coverings, religion and language are what occupy the minds of politicians instead of the economy, infrastructure, health care and education.

In addition, the Charbonneau Commission has revealed to us that Quebec is a real-life version of Hollywood’s many great gangster films.

Those in the population who see very clearly that Quebec’s dire financial and social situation is heading toward A Nightmare on Elm Street are akin to a movie audience watching helplessly as the lead character obliviously walks into the danger zone.

Like Hollywood celebrities who spiral downward and need to hit rock bottom before finally turning themselves around, perhaps the Quebec political class needs to bring the province into total ruin before they, and those who support government dictating what a person wears on their head and curtailing use of the English language, will collectively have their Edith Bunker light-bulb moment and finally understand the repercussions. Gayle A. Shinder

Côte-St-Luc

I know a doctor at one of the major Montreal hospitals who was born in the Middle East, was educated in Quebec, is married to a Canadian, has Canadian/ Québécois children, has Montreal sensibilities and sense of humour, not to mention she is an exemplary physician and dedicated to the care of her patients.

She contributes to society on a daily basis and never imposes her opinions (religious or otherwise) on others.

If the “Charter of Quebec Values” passes into law, she will be required to not wear her usual head scarf and colourful apparel, as many of her religion do.

If we become intolerant of qualified doctors, engineers, lawyers, accountants and other professionals based on their religion or the clothes that they wear, we will deprive ourselves of valuable resources and will contribute to the degradation and eventual downfall of a vibrant city and province. Robert Sutherland

Montreal