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Tag Archives: Pierre Duchesne

Quebec’s Summit on Education: a “Turquerie”

05 Tuesday Mar 2013

Posted by michelinewalker in Quebec

≈ 13 Comments

Tags

Canada, Madame Marois, Montreal, Parti Québécois, Pauline Marois, Pierre Duchesne, Quebec, Summit

 
To Those Who Live in the Present Moment, Chantale Jean, 2012

To Those Who Live in the Present Moment, Chantale Jean, 2012

Chantale Jean
Courtesy of La Galerie Klinkhoff, Montreal
 
Dear Readers,
I apologize for not writing a blog for nearly four days. 
I will return to the subject we were discussing, medieval Bestiaries, but the next Bestiary differs from the Aberdeen and Ashmole Bestiaries.  It is a Bestiaire d’amour and is associated with chivalry and courtly love.
However, I wanted to speak a little about events in the province of Quebec.
 

Last Spring’s Quebec Student Protests

You may remember that last spring students went on strike and started demonstrating because Premier Jean Charest’s Liberal government planned to increase tuition fees from $2,168 to $3,793 between 2012 and 2017 ($1,625 over five years = $325.00 a year). To my knowledge, Quebec students were then paying less than half the tuition fees students pay in other Canadian provinces. The increase was therefore reasonable.

Student demonstrations began and events became disorderly. In particular, students who wanted to complete their academic year were treated like strike breakers or “scabs.” Consequently, on 18 May 2012, former Quebec Premier Jean Charest’s Liberal government passed a bill into Law, Bill 78.[i] The new law, an emergency law, was An Act to enable students to receive instruction from the postsecondary institutions they attend (L.Q., 2012, c. 12 / Laws of Quebec, 2012, chapter 12). (See Bill 78, Wikipedia.)

However, Bill 78 did not deter students. On the contrary.  The student demonstrations were led by student unions, such as the Fédération étudiante universitaire du Québec, and supported by workers unions, the Confédération des syndicats nationaux and the Canadian Union of Public Employees. So the students grew more defiant. On 22 May 2012, between 400,000 and 500,000 people marched in downtown Montreal.” This march has been called “the largest act of civil disobedience in Canadian History.” (See 2012 Quebec student protests, Wikipedia.)

Pauline Marois as Fairy Godmother

Suddenly, as demonstrations raged, Madame Pauline Marois, the leader of the Parti Québécois, an indépendantiste party, started supporting the students whose demands grew bolder. At first, the students were protesting the increase in their tuition fees proposed by Monsieur Charest’s Liberal government, but matters changed. After Madame Marois stepped in and during the months that preceded the Summit, the students were asking for a tuition-free education.

It would be my opinion that Madame Marois knew very well that the increase Monsieur Charest’ Liberal government proposed was altogether acceptable, not to say insufficient. However, Pauline Marois needed votes and got votes. On 4 September  2012, she was elected Premier of the Province of Quebec.

It was not an overwhelming victory. Pauline Marois leads a minority government, but the students provided enough votes for her to be elected. She seemed their fairy godmother and when she took office, the students’ planned tuition increases were repealed by a decree from Madame Marois’ Parti Québécois government. Without the support of Quebec’ students, I doubt Madame Marois would have defeated Premier Jean Charest’s Liberal government.

The Summit on Education

But now, at the conclusion of an expensive Summit on Education, a mere show, Madame Marois has announced that tuition fees would rise by 3 per cent annually.  This increase is almost identical to former Quebec Premier Charest’s proposed increase. Therefore, it turns out that Madame Marois misled students into thinking she would protect their interests.

So allow me to bemoan, once again, the behaviour of Quebec Premier Pauline Marois.  She manipulated the students into thinking she would be an ally, and they believed her. I should think there are more honourable ways of being elected to the premiership of the province of Quebec.

Toronto Star journalist Chantal Hébert has stated that “[i]n the wake of Marois’ victory, the student leadership had cause to believe that it would secure a coveted tuition freeze. The recurrent 3 per cent annual increase that the premier has now resolved to implement does not live up to those expectations.”  I believe Madame Hébert is absolutely right. The students did believe that, if elected into the office of Premier of Quebec, Madame Marois would be their salvation.

Pierre Duchesne and Jacques Parizeau

During the months and weeks preceding the Summit, Monsieur Pierre Duchesne, Quebec’s Minister of Higher Education, Research, Science and Technology, made it very clear that a tuition-free education was not in the works, which should have deterred students. In fact, he made himself so clear that many Québécois and Quebecers wondered why the Summit was taking place. It seemed an exercise in futility at a huge expense, which it was.

But, as mentioned above, the students believed Madame Marois. Moreover, as Pierre Duchesne was stating that a tuition-free education was out of the question, former Parti Québécois leader and Premier of Quebec Jacques Parizeau was expressing the view that “free tuition [was] a realistic option.” (See the report of Montreal Gazette‘s Quebec Bureau Chief Kevin Dougherty.)

Students were, of course, bitterly disappointed when news came that the Marois government would implement an increase in tuition fee, even if it is lower than the increase Premier Charest’s government had proposed. This year, the 3 per cent increase will be $65.04. Some protested and a few paid the price. On 25 February, there was one arrest (see cbcnews) and on February 26th, there were ten (see presstv.com). Madame Marois had made false promises and the Summit on Education was yet another political ploy: a turquerie[ii]. Madame Marois was trying to bow out gracefully, but did she?

Conclusion

I hope the students will remember that Madame Marois used them to get votes and that, consequently, they will be less likely to support her and her Parti Québécois (PQ) in a future bid for re-election. I also hope they will be less likely to support separation from Canada in a referendum.

Madame Marois has not announced a referendum, but a referendum usually follows the election to the premiership of Quebec of an indépendantiste leader and Party. At any rate, a referendum is very much on the mind of former Parti Québécois Premier Jacques Parizeau. (See Montreal Gazette & Montreal Gazette)

In closing, I wish to reassure you that despite a 3 per cent annual increase to my knowledge, the students of Quebec will still be paying the lowest tuition fees in Canada.  I hope they realize how fortunate they are and that they have learned not to break the law

 
RELATED ARTICLE

Les Indes galantes & le Bourgeois gentilhomme: turqueries

______________________________
[i] Bill 78  “Article 16 of the bill furthermore declares illegal any demonstration of more than 50 people, at any location in Quebec, unless the dates, times, starting point, and routes of those locations and also the duration of the venue and the means of transportation that will be used by participants, if applicable, have been submitted to and approved by Quebec police.” (Bill 78, Wikipedia.)
[ii] A “turquerie” is the play-within-a-play used in Molière‘s Bourgeois gentilhomme
(Would-be Gentleman) to fool Monsieur Jourdain, who wants to be an aristocrat, into thinking his daughter is marrying a Sultan of Turkey.  (For other definitions, see Turqueries, Wikipedia.)
 
composer: Jules Massenet (12 May 1842 – 13 August 1912)
piece: Méditation, Thaïs (opera)
violinist: Itzhak Perlman (born 31 August 1945)
(Please click on the image to enlarge it.)
Snow Geese on White Snow, by Chantale Jean 2012<br /><br /><br /><br /><br />

Snow Geese on White Snow, Chantale Jean, 2012

Related articles
  • Shooter Aimed at Premier-elect Pauline Marois (michelinewalker.com)
  • Thoughts on Quebec (michelinewalker.com)
  • Madame Marois’ Scottish Agenda (michelinewalker.com)
  • Pauline Marois: The Scottish Agenda Concluded (michelinewalker.com)
  • More Thoughts on Quebec (michelinewalker.com)

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Reading Quebec: Le Devoir

07 Thursday Feb 2013

Posted by michelinewalker in Canada

≈ 2 Comments

Tags

Bill-14, Canada, Clarity Act, François Hollande, Jean Charest, La Classe, McGill University, Pierre Duchesne, Quebec, Sherbrooke

pierre-duchesne-preparant-le-sommet-sur-l-enseignement-superieur

Tuition Fees: Pierre Duchesne getting ready for the Summit (Garnotte 2013-02-05)

For pictures by cartoonist Garnotte, see Garnotte or http://www.ledevoir.com/galeries-photos/les-caricatures-de-garnotte/105537. 
During the 2012 student strike, a red square was worn by students and sympathizers.
(Photo credit: Le Devoir )
 
Carré rouge

Carré rouge

On Tuesday, 5 February 2013, I bought a copy of Le Devoir, Quebec‘ s finest French-language newspaper. As you can see above, the cartoonist, Garnotte, sat Pierre Duchesne, Ministre de l’Enseignement supérieur, de la Recherche, de la Science et de la Technologie (depuis 2012),[i] under a big red block, ready to fall on his head.

  • L’Association pour une solidarité syndicale étudiante (ASSÉ), the core association of La Classe: La Coalition Large ASSE) is ready to go on strike. (La Classe).
  • The business community has refused to pay a tax that would help keep tuition fees as they have been: the lowest in the country.

Jean Charest in France

Former Premier Jean Charest (born 1958) was in France meeting with President François Hollande (born 1954). According to the 5 February 2013 issue of Le Devoir, no one knew what they were discussing, but we were told yesterday, 6 February 2013) that they were discussing business. Monsieur Charest, a veteran politician and the former Premier of Quebec, was not reelected in his own riding: Sherbrooke, Quebec.

Président Holland and Jean Charest, former Premier of Quebec, at l'Elizée

French President François Hollande and Jean Charest, former Premier of Quebec, at l’Élizée (Photo credit: Martin Bureau, Agence France-Presse)

McGill outgoing President on the forthcoming Summit on Education, etc

And, this morning, I am reading that the outgoing President of McGill University, in Montreal, Madame Heather Munroe-Blum, thought that  “contrairement à certains libéraux, elle ne croit [believe] pas que la hausse [rise] proposée par le gouvernement Charest était exagérée.”

  • Madame Heather Munroe-Blum pointed out that, “contrary to certain liberals, she does not believe that the raise proposed by Monsieur Charest’s government [last spring] was too high (exagérée).” In fact, “[i]t wasn’t high enough. « À mon avis, ce n’était pas assez fort », a-t-elle indiqué.” (See Le Devoir.)
  • Madame Heather Munroe-Blum also stated that the Summit on Higher Education was a “une farce,” a joke. (See Le Devoir.)
  • She also mentioned that “[i]n Sherbrooke, we had a Senegalese academic who compared our education system to that of Senegal, twenty years ago.  What do you think of that?). « À Sherbrooke, on a eu un universitaire sénégalais qui a comparé notre système d’enseignement avec le système sénégalais d’il y a vingt ans. Que penser de ça ? »  (il y a = ago) (See Le Devoir.)

There are fewer full-time university teachers in Quebec than outside Quebec.  In Quebec universities, numerous teachers are hired on a part-time basis and must travel between two or three universities to make a meagre living.  Moreover, concessions are made for students who are first generation university students.

Bill 14

I am also sending you an article on Bill-14.  It would transform bilingual communities into unilingual communities, if the English-speaking population drops to below 40% of the total population. (See CTV News.)  Quebec wishes to protect the French language, (as does Canada), but there may be friendlier and more effective ways of doing so than the current attempts to marginalize its English-speaking population.  What about French-speaking Canadians living outside Quebec?

Working Group on Healthcare or the Council of the Federation: Quebec walks out

In yesterday’s Devoir, I also read that Quebec had left a Working Group on Health Care. (See The Globe and Mail.)

The Estates General on Quebec Sovereignty

États généraux sur la souveraineté
Pauline Marois on les États généraux sur la souveraineté

Moreover, the Estates General on Quebec Sovereignty (CTV News) has found that the Federal government blocks Quebec in 92 ways. (See Le Devoir.)

France’s Position on the Question of Quebec Sovereignty

Here is another useful link regarding France’s position with respect to Quebec’s sovereignty. (See The Huffington Post.)

For more information on most of the above, see The Montreal Gazette or The Montreal Gazette (front page, click on tab above the picture.)

Conclusion

I am posting this article because English-speaking Canadians often wonder what Quebecers want? I do not think I can provide an answer to this question.

Reflecting on the possible repercussions of sovereignty for Quebec seems a good idea. There has to be a bona fide (in good faith) assessment of gains and losses should Quebec leave confederation. Indépendantistes must consider the consequences of secession, or a form thereof. Truth be told, it would be in the interest of the rest of Canada to define its position should Quebec chose not to remain within the current confederation. Will the rest of Canada be tolerant or will we face disorder?

However, Quebec has not seceded and Québécois may well decide to remain a province of Canada.  First Minister Alex Salmond of Scotland has secured an agreement with the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom regarding a referendum. But the people of Quebec have not said yes and under the terms of the Clarity Act (popular in Quebec [See The Globe and Mail.]), passed in the year 2000, independence cannot be a unilateral decision.

“The legislation says secession can occur only through constitutional reform, not a simple vote. It also puts restrictions on the question that can be asked in a referendum and how large a majority is required for a Yes vote.” (See Paul Waldie, The Globe and Mail.)

Much of the above confuses me.

  • Madame Marois is an indépendantiste, but to what extent?
  • A degree of sovereignty has been achieved in Quebec. Why and how?
  • Does Quebec have a mandate to create a government within a government?
  • To what extent can Quebec legislate unilingualism (Bill-14), or has something happened I do not know about?
  • Quebec has not signed the Patriated Constitution (1982)? Why and what does this mean?
  • Do I notice a degree of entitlement on the part of Quebec students not to mention groups (Health Care) in its government?
  • The Clarity Act (Bill C-20)…
 
© Micheline Walker
7 February 2013
WordPress
_________________________

[i] Monsieur Duchesne is the Quebec Government’s Minister of Higher Education, Research, Science and Technology.

composer: Edvard Grieg (15 June 1843 – 4 September 1907)
“Peer Gynt Suite Nr. 1 op. 46 – Ases Tod”
artist: Marc-Aurèle Fortin (March 14, 1888 – March 2, 1970)
 
Maison à Sainte-Rose, by Marc-Aurèle Fortin, 1928 (Photo credit: Galerie Valentin

Maison à Sainte-Rose, by Marc-Aurèle Fortin, 1928 (Photo credit: Galerie Jean-Pierre Valentin)

Related articles
  • Madame Marois’ Scottish Agenda (michelinewalker.com)
  • Quebec, meet your neighbour Ontario (theglobeandmail.com)
  • Thoughts on secession (macleans.ca)

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Madame Marois’ Scottish Agenda

28 Monday Jan 2013

Posted by michelinewalker in Uncategorized

≈ 13 Comments

Tags

Alex Salmond, Davos, Nicola Matteis, Pauline Marois, Pierre Duchesne, Quebec, Quebec Premier, Sarabande, Scotland, World Economic Forum

 pauline-marois
Marois rencontrera son homologue Alex Salmond au Parlement écossais. 
Photo : La Presse canadienne (photo) Clément Allard ι Pauline Marois
(Madame Marois will meet with Scottish First Minister Alex Salmond, SNP, at the Scottish Parliament)
 

1) Madame Marois’ possible attempt to enlist the help of Scottish First Minister Alex Salmond or to show that other Leaders are also seeking votes among Young students

  • Le Devoir: http://www.ledevoir.com/politique/quebec/369388/vote-a-16-ans-marois-se-dit-inspiree-par-l-ecosse
  • Alex Salmond: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alex_Salmond
  • Alex Salmond warned: http://www.scotsman.com/news/politics/top-stories/alex-salmond-warned-to-accept-uk-referendum-ruling-1-2762154

Madame Pauline Marois (born March 29, 1949) would like to lower the voting age to 16 years old, as would Scottish First Minister Alex Salmond.  Madame Marois was in London yesterday, but, after attending Davos (World Economic Forum (WEF), she will be traveling to Scotland to discuss this matter (sixteen-year-olds voting) with her homologue (counterpart) Alex Salmond (born 31 December 1954).

Quebec Premier Pauline Marois has been described as an “opportunist.” (See Related Articles). We can now add that she will travel to great lengths to achieve her goals and reveal, by trying to justify her behavior, the manner in which votes may have been obtained in the September 2012 Quebec General Election.

(please click on the image to enlarge it) 

Pauliine Marois with Students (January 21, 2013

Pauline Marois with Students: Announcing Flag Day (January 21, 2013)

2) Pierre Duchesne: Monsieur Duchesne says “no,” for the moment, to the idea of tuition-free education for Québécois and Quebecers

Pierre Duchesne: Minister of Higher Education, Research, Science and Technology

  • La Presse: http://www.lapresse.ca/actualites/dossiers/conflit-etudiant/201301/27/01-4615531-pierre-duchesne-ecarte-la-gratuite.php
  • (See also: http://www.lapresse.ca/le-soleil/actualites/education/201301/27/01-4615567-financement-des-universites-pierre-duchesne-ouvre-son-jeu.php)

“Pour la première fois aujourd’hui, le ministre Pierre Duchesne a opposé une fin de non-recevoir aux partisans de la gratuité scolaire, dans le cadre des discussions qui précèdent son grand Sommet sur l’éducation.”

Below, please find a correct, but general, rather than literal, translation, I moved a clause, of the above statement. My quotation was taken from the 27 January 2013 issue of the French-language newspaper La Presse.

  • See also: http://www.lapresse.ca/le-soleil/actualites/education/201301/27/01-4615567-financement-des-universites-pierre-duchesne-ouvre-son-jeu.php

“For the first time today, as part of the discussions preceding his great Summit on Education, Pierre Duchesne, [Quebec’s] Minister of Higher Education, told advocates of free tuition that the idea of free tuition would not be contemplated [during the Summit].”

It’s a dead-end.

Conclusion

It may be hasty to confirm that Pauline Marois, the Premier of Quebec, made promises she could not and cannot respect. However, her [presumed][i] attempt to enlist the help of Scottish First Minister, or use him as an example, suggests that she is seeking the support of very young students. Her traveling to Scotland also suggests that during the last Quebec General Election, 4 September 2012, students may have been used or manipulated so Pauline Marois could further personal goals.

A third referendum: “to separate” or “not to separate” from Canada, may be held sooner than later. (See CBC News)

Will Scotland’s possible or probable example make it easier for Madame Marois to lower the voting age to 16 years old?

Quebec Premier-elect Pauline Marois and her husband, Claude Blanchet, are among the dignitaries atending the funeral services for Denis Blanchette Monday, September 10, 2012 in Montreal. Richard Bain is charged with first degree murder in the shooting death of Blanchette and wounding another man outside the Parti Quebecois election night rally. . THE CANADIAN PRESS/Ryan Remiorz

Quebec Premier-elect Pauline Marois and her husband, Claude Blanchet, are among the dignitaries attending the funeral services for Denis Blanchette Monday, September 10, 2012 in Montreal. Richard Bain is charged with first degree murder in the shooting death of Blanchette and wounding another man outside the Parti Québécois election night rally. THE CANADIAN PRESS / Ryan Remiorz

This post was written yesterday evening, 27 January 2013, but I could not finish it because my very punctual cat started biting my clothes in an attempt to separate me from my computer? What, a separatist!

I have therefore updated the News links below.

 

The News

English
The New York Times
Le Monde diplomatique EN
The Washington Post
The Globe and Mail
The Montreal Gazette
 
CNN News
CBC News 
 
French
Le Devoir
La Presse
Le Monde
Le Monde diplomatique
 
German 
Die Welt 
 
© Micheline Walker
January 28, 2013
WordPress
_________________________                                     
[i] Presumed, because we do not know whether or not she has spoken with him.
Moreover, she has not met Alex Salmond yet, at least not officially. 
 
composer: Nicola Matteis  (fl. c. 1670 – after 1714), the earliest notable Italian Baroque violinist in London
title: Diverse bizzarie sopra la vecchia sarabanda
(Bizarre Variations on the old Sarabande)
performers: Music of the Spheres
 
RELATED ARTICLES
 
  • Thoughts on Quebec or https://michelinewalker.wordpress.com/wp-admin/post.php?post=26598&action=edit (michelinewalker.com)
  • More Thoughts on Quebec  or https://michelinewalker.wordpress.com/wp-admin/post.php?post=26688&action=edit

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