With turban ruling, Quebec has reached its historic peak of intolerance

[puckstopshere]

Last week the Quebec Soccer Federation decided to maintain its ban on Sikh turbans, a policy that began its implementation around the province last year. The religious headgear worn by Sikh men allegedly poses a safety threat when worn on the pitch.

This is, of course, a testament to Quebec’s distinct-society mantra, as the Canadian Soccer Association has been calling for provincial associations to allow turbans on the pitch since April. The CSA issued a statement late last week reaffirming its position that turbans should be allowed on the pitch, and in a much-anticipated tipping point, suspended the QSF over its turban stance on Monday night.

With Quebec politicians of every stripe refusing to wade into the apparent controversy of letting children play a game they love, we Quebeckers need to get introspective and ask ourselves what kind of a distinct society we have become. Quebec is the only province to explicitly denounce the federal policy of multiculturalism. This is reflected in a recent poll commissioned by the Quebec government, revealing that 81 per cent of Quebeckers support making no accommodations for religious dress in a sporting situation. Thus it should come as no surprise that the QSF would partake in the targeted discrimination towards one religious group.

The QSF is claiming that its decision is in line with FIFA, the international soccer organization that oversees major international tournaments. Yes, the same organization that mandates regular blood-doping tests for its players is being cited as a justification for preventing children from playing in a recreational league. I can only assume the QSF will ensure that little Pierre and Marie-Claude will be subject to regular blood tests any day now.

It should be pointed out that the very FIFA rule the QSF is citing as justification calls for the referee’s discretion in the matter, and not an all-out ban. Therein lies the core of Quebec’s intolerance: an incongruence between the set of rules for pure laine Quebeckers – those with exclusively French Canadian ancestry – and those for the rest of us. Clearly, the QSF does not strictly enforce all FIFA rules in their recreational leagues, as it would be arduous and entirely unnecessary. Yet, when applied to Sikhs, it has decided to adopt the most rigorous interpretation of the rules.

Having recently made international headlines for the “pastagate” scandal, Quebec is clearly no stranger to controversy. Culminating in the resignation of the head of the Office Québécois de la langue française, colloquially referred to as the language police, it seemed as though sending an official warning to an Italian restaurant for having the word “pasta” on its menu was a line in the sand for many Quebeckers. Unfortunately, however, it was clear that it was not, as Bill 14, which expands the language restrictions in Bill 101, passed second reading in the National Assembly. Bill 14, which has received a condemnation from the Quebec Bar Association, has the effect of trampling on the basic civil liberties of citizens all in the name of linguistic purity.

Voted in with a razor-thin minority, the separatist Parti Québécois have been kindling the culture wars into an all-out inferno. Set to unveil a Charter of Quebec Values this fall, the PQ government seeks to ban all religious dress and symbols from public institutions – with the exception of those representing Catholicism. Thus, whereas hijabs and yarmulkes would not be allowed, crucifixes would be.

The particularly vexing aspect of all of this is that Quebec used to be a bastion of inclusiveness and an ardent defender of civil rights. In 1832 it granted Jewish citizens equal rights under the law, the first jurisdiction under the British Crown to do so. Quebec was the land that welcomed Jackie Robinson at a time when everybody else failed to step up to the racial-equality plate. While the rest of Canada was still having a moral dilemma regarding equal protection for same-sex couples, Quebec led the charge.

Hitherto, as reasonable-accommodation debates have come to occupy the forefront of our political discourse, there has been a perceptible shift among politicians, pundits and the populace. Obsessions with linguistic and cultural purity, xenophobia and generalized Franco-supremacy are at an all-time high in the province. With an entire subset of children quite literally forced to watch idly from the sidelines as their peers play on, it would seem as though Quebec has finally reached the lowest common denominator of intolerance. Distinct society indeed.

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/commentary/with-turban-ruling-quebec-has-reached-its-historic-peak-of...

[prior-of-verity*shake-hands-with-your-devil]

I use to like Quebec. Heavy emphasis on the 'use to'.

[cumos55]

One gets the impression that both in the past  and in the future.

Quebec's favour two words will be

Not Withstanding

[pierrelebel]

A stupid decision made by a few stupid people and endorsed by a few stupid politicians.

Let us not extrapolate that stupid decision to the 8,000,000 individuals living in Quebec.

[queenpalmer]

The Quebecers in authority who change and impose these rules need research what the rest of the world is doing in similar situations. 

[prior-of-verity*shake-hands-with-your-devil]

8,000,000 individuals living in Quebec.

But where are their objections or anger?

[pierrelebel]

The Quebec Soccer Federation was meeting last night.

Give it time.

[prior-of-verity*shake-hands-with-your-devil]

The Quebec Soccer Federation was meeting last night.

I meant ......................the 'people' of Quebec.

[pierrelebel]

To get a "feel" for what the people of Quebec think of the issue, take a look at opinions expressed by individuals and groups in Quebec based newspaper:

http://www.lapresse.ca/debats/debat-du-jour/201306/06/01-4658606-doit-on-interdire-le-turban-au-soccer.php

http://www.montrealgazette.com/life/Letter+Kudos+Brossard+soccer+coach+turban+solidarity/8508317/story.html

http://www.montrealgazette.com/life/Letter+Soccer+turban+episode+provides+teachable+moment/8508668/story.html

http://www.ledevoir.com/societe/actualites-en-societe/380540/le-turban-ravive-les-tensions-entre-quebec-et-ottawa

etc...

Folks can do their own research.  It is not that difficult. Use Google, use Yahoo, use Bing, use whatever tool to get information from different sources.

[puckstopshere]

But where are their objections or anger?

They are right there with all the other Canadians who don't like what Harper is doing.  They are the silent majority.  It is not the nature of most Canadians to complain much or at all.  We may someday learn from the immigrant population that words and actions are needed to facilitate change.  Until then, such actions on the part of the government will continue to go on with little or no protest.

I spent some time in Montreal during the height of the separatist movement.  In those days, many Quebecers would not speak English or acknowledge that they even knew how to speak it.  If you approached someone on the street and asked them for directions (in English), you would only get an answer in French.   But, even Quebecers have lost much of their radicalism.

[prior-of-verity*shake-hands-with-your-devil]

Thanks for the links Pierre. I could only read the Gazette.......unfortunately I do not read French in the others but I presume the feelings are the same. Much better to see people speaking out.

I spent some time in Montreal during the height of the separatist movement.  In those days, many Quebecers would not speak English or acknowledge that they even knew how to speak it.

I was there just after the movement.......still the same. I had taken a trip to the east coast and to avoid Quebec I went through the US. However at the same time there was a gas shortage in the US and I was seeing too many gas stations that were empty. So I went up to Quebec just to make sure I could get petrol.

Two things happened........thinking back they were kinda funny.

At about 1 in the morning I was lost in Montreal. The maps didn't make any sense and I couldn't read French. I ended up driving into the outfield in deserted baseball field. I eventually made a home run and found my way out.

The funniest thing was on a highway. Don't ask me where it was or the name but it was 4 lane. I'm doing like everyone does, a little over the speed limit. Suddenly a van passes me and it's really moving! I got a glimpse of the occupants and I had to catch up to verify what I had seen. Now I know from previous experience in Sherbrooke Que having spent a couple of evenings with Quebec drivers on dark hilly back roads that they drive like they are at Daytona.....but still I couldn't believe what I had seen. So eventually I caught up to the lead footed van and looked and yeah.......I was right.......the driver and all the occupants.......were nuns! Must be a new order, the Turbo Charged Sisters of the Holy Asphalt.

[brandeentertainment]

The one think I like more about Quebec is that the people have a voice and still stand up for there beliefs..

Right or wrong they don't just smile and say ok Harper thanks for the extra crap on my plate

[cartoonsinabox]

Hey Prior... Funny... When I visit Italy, Germany or Ecuador the signs are not in english and I don't end up in a baseball field. I still find my way.

And why is it that when visiting Edmonton, or Winnepeg its not bilingual. I thought Canada was bilingual ??

[prior-of-verity*shake-hands-with-your-devil]

Does Germany or Ecuador have baseball?

All I remember is going down a dead end street with houses and ending up in a baseball field at the end.

Canada bilingual? Only in the minds of politicians, some government workers and French emersion schools.

Canada is what it is, a two language country and always will be.........with Chinese catching up fast. We just have to accept that we're all different and will get even more different in this new age of massive traveling and people leaving countries because other countries are making bomb holes in them. A fast growing new world and we better get use to it.

[art-in-the-making]

unfortunately I do not read French in the others but I presume the feelings are the same.

Actually, there was quite a strong undercurrent of support for the Quebec Soccer Federation's moves, moreso among the francophones.

One, there was the usual small gang of racists both among English and French Quebecers.

Two, you had a group of people, I presume more French-speaking, whose opinion was affected by a) FIFA's "unclear" stance on the issue  b) miscommunication and miosunderstanding of FIFA's actual posistion and c) miscommunication by the media in general

Three, you had a lot more Quebecers (mostly francophone) who were simply put off by the fact that after years of this situation existing in some kind of limbo - the Canadian Soccer Federation dictated to the QSF. At that point, a lot of francophone Quebecers could care less what the issue is - they just really get their backs up about getting dictated to by the ROC.

Again, basically a faulty conclusion based on faulty information. Which sums up the entire tawdry affair... although it all worked out well in the end, once FIFA clarified its stance...