One good law.

Haggis McBagpipe

Walks on Forum Water
Jun 11, 2004
5,085
7
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Victoria, B.C.
Well, I'm just going to cut-and-paste my previous answer 'cause a) I'm lazy and b) the answer still stands.

If I could pass just one local law (there are so MANY I want to pass), it would be: no vehicles within city limits except for commercial/buses/emergency vehicles. The roads would be strictly for bicycles and mopeds. The bus system would be massively enhanced to become totally efficient.
 

researchok

Council Member
Jun 12, 2004
1,103
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Ban informercials which feature Ginsu knives.

Also, if youre drunk and cause an accident, mandatory 1 year jail sentance.

Caught drunk, 30 days, mandatory
 

researchok

Council Member
Jun 12, 2004
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let me clarify-- one year or even 90 day sentances but allow you to go to work.

Weekends, holidays, etc., in the pokey.
 

Numure

Council Member
Apr 30, 2004
1,063
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Montréal, Québec
Force anglophones into "concentration camps", so they finaly learn french!!! Joking ;) Seriously though, its annoying. I was in Westmount last week, stoped at a "depanneur", the clerk didnt speak one word of french!!!!! He was born here, and lived here his hole fuck!ng life!! I called L'Office de la Langue Française, and the owner most likely got fined for not offereing services in french.

Still though, he's born here, lived here his hole life and doesnt know a word of french? That's the biggest disrespect to local culture...
 

researchok

Council Member
Jun 12, 2004
1,103
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I agree-- but you know, when I was last in Montreal a few weeks ago, I had dinner in Chinatown.

Forget English OR French!

Seriouly, I was amazed.

I suppose people put up with it because the food was good...
 

researchok

Council Member
Jun 12, 2004
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Well, as a 'maudit anglais', It's been my experience that most second generation plus non francophones do speak english, save the 'old guard'.

The good news, as far as I'm concerned, is that more francophones are bilingual. The doors are finally open to the 'bigger world', so to speak.
 

Numure

Council Member
Apr 30, 2004
1,063
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Montréal, Québec
I want more anglophones to be bilingual. And most 2nd and 3rd generation Immigrants, are francophones now. In a great majority might I add ;)

Take a look at the Islamic community in montreal, all french. Haitiens, all french. Many Africans, in great majority french. Asians are probably the most likely to be anglophones.
 

researchok

Council Member
Jun 12, 2004
1,103
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Yes, that appears to be the case, although the Muslim community probably originates in French speaking countries. My guess is that would apply to most immigrants to Quebec.

I did come across something intersting the other day. It seems le gouvernement is quietly recruiting Jews from France to immigrate to Quebec. They are educated, successful, have businesses that if moved (or they're professional, e.g., drs, would increase employment, and, as a group, would be unlikely to require much in the way of social services. They would have no language issues at all, obvioulsy.
 

Numure

Council Member
Apr 30, 2004
1,063
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Montréal, Québec
I know of that. Its not a secret, its been going around ear to ear threw out the goverment. I work for the Goverment btw, I'm a lawyer for "L'aide Juridique". I have nothing against it, would be nice and would give a better image to the Jewish community here... That is quite raciste and speak english only for the majority. Probable the most hated community here... I have nothing against Jewish people or the religion, just something against most Jewish communities in Montreal.
 

researchok

Council Member
Jun 12, 2004
1,103
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I suppose thats understandable, from your point of view.

The Jewish community in Quebec has been staunchly federalist.

I imagine an influx of French speaking Jews would be more sympathetic to separatist aspirations.

I think some of the more, shall we say, darker days of Quebec nationalists has passed (eg, Lionel Groulx, etc) so that any influx of french speakers would look to preserve THEIR language, etc.

I was just fascinated by the very idea-- I can't recall an influx of immigrants anywhere that has the potential to benefit both themselves and the society around them. Personally, I think it would be a spectacular idea-- for many reasons, eg, building bridges, new job creation (that would have less incentive to leave than anglophone companies, etc), and a host of others.
 

Numure

Council Member
Apr 30, 2004
1,063
0
36
Montréal, Québec
The only advantages I see when new immigrants arrive (many arrive every year might I add), its improves our culture. Adds more festivals, new restaurants, new culbs and bars. Does are the advantage, that are priceless.
 

Numure

Council Member
Apr 30, 2004
1,063
0
36
Montréal, Québec
researchok said:
The Jewish community in Quebec has been staunchly federalist.

The worse, is their lobying in Ottawa to stop immigration from the middle east and north Africa.

1) Stop the growth of the French language.

2) Because apparently, they bring anti-semetic values with them.

This only a few months ago. This is, is the main reason, why I profoundly dislike the Jewish Community in Montreal.
 

peapod

Hall of Fame Member
Jun 26, 2004
10,745
0
36
pumpkin pie bungalow
Numure said:
Force anglophones into "concentration camps", so they finaly learn french!!! Joking ;) Seriously though, its annoying. I was in Westmount last week, stoped at a "depanneur", the clerk didnt speak one word of french!!!!! He was born here, and lived here his hole *censored*!ng life!! I called L'Office de la Langue Française, and the owner most likely got fined for not offereing services in french.

Still though, he's born here, lived here his hole life and doesnt know a word of french? That's the biggest disrespect to local culture...

Really not a word of french. As I mentioned before my father was born and raised in quebec city but refused to teach us french, a real loss for me and my siblings. But even I know all the swear words :wink: and a little I have picked up here and there, and I live on the other side of the country.
 

researchok

Council Member
Jun 12, 2004
1,103
0
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Numure said:
researchok said:
The Jewish community in Quebec has been staunchly federalist.

The worse, is their lobying in Ottawa to stop immigration from the middle east and north Africa.

1) Stop the growth of the French language.

2) Because apparently, they bring anti-semetic values with them.

This only a few months ago. This is, is the main reason, why I profoundly dislike the Jewish Community in Montreal.

Admittedly, there is a problem with some North African/Middle Eastern immigrants. What happened at that grade school and Concordia, as well as other issues can't be swept under the rug. I do think the gouv de quebec is handling it well-- from what I hear, alot we dont see.

Thats hard to deny-- though I do concue that the Jewish community is probably overreacting.
 

researchok

Council Member
Jun 12, 2004
1,103
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By the way, speaking of the Great Divide, I'll relate to you a bit of my experience.

In going to school in MOntreal, I remember getting an earful about Lionel Groulx, the excesses, political you know what, etc.

My neighbour, Olivier (yes, that was his name and man, did he suffer because of it!) and I were at an Expos game and I asked him about Groulx. I was shocked to find out that he had never even heard of the things I was talking about! He was shocked I wasn't aware of Groulx's nationalism!

Those were the days when EVERYTHING had a dual meaning.

It's interesting to look back and see how the school systems were used to further a political agenda.

I do recall reading in the Montreal Star, of how Levesque gave a speech at some Jewish event and was surprised that they couldn't understand his position-- a free land for an 'oppressed' (his words) people. The article went on to say that Levesque wasnt able to connect (or disconnect) with some Quebec history (which, by most measure, was more benign to Jews than western Canada or to some extent, even Ontario!).

I was an early high schooler at the time and remember the ruckus.

A little older and wiser now, I think at the time, there was a mutual fear-- that both sides didn't want to admit to-- that each side was afraid to concede the fears of the other.

In a way, looking back, it was a microcosm of the entire Franco/Anglo relationship.

Quelle domage.