Sunday, October 17, 2021

Crossroad

 In 1995, the separatist Parti Quebecois was back in power in Quebec and attempted another referendum on separating from Canada. Premier Jacques Parizeau, backed by the Bloc Quebecois in the federal Parliament, led the effort, and famously would blame the 'ethnic' vote and money on the night he lost the referendum in what was almost certainly a booze fueled speech. These days, rumour has it that Jacques is burning down somewhere in the seventh circle of hell.


Leading the No side was the provincial Liberal leader, Daniel Johnson, backed by the federal government under Prime Minister Chretien.


The referendum was close, as these two newspapers from the following day attest. As close as we've ever come to breaking up the country, it was a crossroads for the nation.


This is a record cover for a musical comedy called Anglo! The cover cartoon is by Aislin, the editorial cartoonist from the Montreal Gazette, one of the best in the business.


In the wake of the Quiet Revolution, Anglos in Quebec are a minority in a province where the French language even has language police (yes, it's silly). Some left; others have endured.


Of course, there are French speaking communities across the country. This t-shirt speaks to that. I'd like one of these, actually.


One of those is the group collectively called Acadians. This is the Acadian flag, still flown in many a place today, especially in the Atlantic provinces.

26 comments:

  1. That happens in human groups...they gather together and soon after they cry for separation.

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  2. Hello,
    A close call is scary, I worry about our country so divided.
    Take care, have a great day and a happy new week!

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  3. Having lived in Québec (my daughter was born there) i have great affection for the province and La Francophonie.

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  4. @Italiafinlandia: all too true.

    @Anvilcloud: much too close.

    @Eileen: division isn't good.

    @David: I do as well.

    @Francisco: thanks.

    @Tom: it was an experience.

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  5. People seem to want to argue all the time over everything.

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  6. I can't imagine why people think things would be better if only like minded people existed. Don't they know that they would just find other things to hate about each other.

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  7. Peace is so illusive ~ eh?

    Living moment by moment,

    A ShutterBug Explores,
    aka (A Creative Harbor)

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  8. I remember reading about this in the newspaper.

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  9. Beautiful header photo, Williams. I also remember this event and glad that harmony ultimately remained.

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  10. @RedPat: all too true.

    @Sharon: I agree.

    @Red: they were.

    @Carol: it can be.

    @Bill: it made the news.

    @Pat: me too.

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  11. Para muchas gentes, hubiera sido muy dolorosa esa ruptura.

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  12. Nothing on Earth is perfect even Canada I suppose

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  13. Division isn't good is it!
    Pleased it remained as one.

    All the best Jan

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  14. The t-shirt is really quite nice.

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