Separatist assails Habs who don't speak French

A lawyer from Quebec City told a provincial commission that there are many Canadiens hockey players who don't learn French even after four or five years in the province.

"Can we consider it reasonable, the accommodation granted by the management of the Montreal Canadiens, notably with respect to its players by exempting them -- even after five years with the team -- from speaking French, Quebec's official language?" asked Guy Bertrand.

He then singled out team captain Saku Koivu, who he said does not speak French when giving speeches or public presentations, despite the fact that he has lived in the province for 12 years.

On Wednesday, Parti Quebecois Leader Pauline Marois went even further. She said the Canadiens organization should insist on French courses for its players.

Koivu responded by saying his French is not perfect, but he often speaks the language in private. He said he took great efforts to learn English when he arrived from Finland and that he speaks French to children he visits for charity work that he does at Quebec hospitals.

"There's nothing we can do when politicians have opinions on the team or on me," Koivu said, according to the Canadian Press.

"Sometimes you can't control what's being said out there."

Koivu's coach Guy Carbonneau said his players are not paid to be ambassadors for the French language. He said their first job is to play hockey and what they do during their off-time is their business.

Bertrand, a separatist-turned-federalist who has reverted back to separatist politics, told the Quebec commission that it can only protect its culture by getting rid of multiculturalism. He said that can only be achieved through Quebec sovereignty.

The commission is looking into how immigrants integrate into Quebec society. It was formed after some Quebecers complained about rights afforded to ethnic and religious minorities.

The town of Herouxville even wrote up a "code of life," telling immigrants how to live in Quebec. Among its features included provisions against covering faces with veils in public life and the stoning of women.

Last week, Marois introduced a bill which would have required anyone running for public office in Quebec -- including for school board positions -- to be proficient in French. The bill was lambasted by constitutional experts, who said it would never pass judicial muster.

On Tuesday, Premier Jean Charest wrote an open letter to the province, which was published in several newspapers. He accused Marois and ADQ leader Mario Dumont of promoting a mentality that "feeds on prejudices."

He also blamed the media for jumping on the bandwagon of intolerance and pointing out the most sensational cases of accommodation of religious and ethnic minorities.

He said Quebecers are in danger of destroying their international reputation.

"People are wondering what's happening here at a time when we need to open our doors to others," he wrote.

"I never would have thought it possible in Quebec that the leaders of our democratic process would feed on prejudices rather than fight them."

Comments are now closed for this story

Jim in Calgary
said

Thank you Saku for 12 years of dedication to our team. After this debacle, I have no doubt we won't be seeing you much longer, and you can forget about any free agent signings for quite awhile.

Sparky: Anglo and Happy
said

This whole FRENCH language thing has gotten very boring! It seems to me that Quebec didn't ratify the Canadian constitution and therefor should be governed by the BNA Act(allowing the French language and culture to be practiced in their own homes!) Let's have another referendum...this time asking us ANGLOS if we want Quebec to stay in Canada. Maybe we can get a result that will make everyone happy......"Bye-Bye Quebec"

Victor
said

Born in the original Toronto and been in Ontario all my life.

I don't think it's fair for Mr. Koivu to continue to operate only in English as a captain of Les Canadiens de Montreal.

BTW, Diego Maradona the great soccer player did his interviews with the media in Napoli in Italian, eventhough he was from Argentina.

If you are the captain of the Montreal Canadians you must speak french and english. To be in Montreal for 11 years and not have the courtesy to respect the Quebecoise is a disgrace.

This isn't about political stripes folks, it's about respecting the customers of Quebec and most of them would appreciate french once in a while.

I wouldn't expect the english folks in Ontario to understand much about this topic, and it's clear by the comments on this forum that the posters don't understand the issue.

Matt
said

Trying to preserve culture by forcing language, is pathetic.

Proud New Canadian!
said

I lived in Quebec for few months. I was personally tired of the bilingual thing going on there. When I was told that as a new Canadian living in Quebec my kids had (not a choice but had) to go to french school, I packed and moved. Let me inform the Quebec gov that I moved to Canada for the liberties and freedoms it offered me not to be told what to learn.

Surely enough, I moved to Ontario where I have a great life that my family just loves.
PS: I m fluently bilingual. eng/fren.

Proud new CANADIAN!

Sylvie
said

Even though I was born and raised in Quebec and did not speak English until I was 23 years old, I still don't get it. I am now trilingual, living in Mexico City and enjoying the multiculturalism of my family. Husband and daughter born in Ontario, son born in Alberta, and we are following the rich mexican culture. Can someone explain to me how this is NOT enriching our lives? This is hockey! It is a game! It is not politics! If bigots cannot enjoy watching it without thinking it is an insult to their culture because the best players may not come from the French speaking side of Quebec or may not speak it like any "pure laine" of the province, then maybe the Habs should not be in Montreal! MOVE THEM! Send them to the enemy! The rest of CANADA will be more than glad to have then and love them and cherish them! No matter what language they speak, after all it is about sport, fairplay and love of the game!

George Lemonides
said

I'm glad when I hear the PQ doing or saying things like this. These kind of things bring the PQ party even at a lower class than what it is. Most smart and educated Quebecers know that English is an international language used even were the French language was created FRANCE.

Jake
said

Jeannette....why should the Montreal Canadians not be called the Canadians? Check your history...the French were called Canadiens way before the English finally adopted it, Montreal historically has more of a right to the word than all the rest of Canada...

Heck, our national anthem? Written originally in French for French Canada as a patriotic anthem for the Saint-Jean-Baptiste society! The English were still singing "God Save the King".

Ramon Galvez
said

As an immigrant I can relate to both sides, I understand why you would want to protect the French culture in Quebec, but they are going at it the wrong way. I speak French fluently, but more than half the Quebecois I know speak French that is less than acceptable by any educated person's standards. How about concentrate on teaching better French and making it easily available to immigrants than trying to point fingers and make stories about irrelevant things. I love the fact that I speak French (my third language) but the arrogance and the way it's presented to me by supposedly people that represent its culture is sometimes borderline offensive. Lead by example, embrace it and at the very least give me a smile and pretend you want me to learn it, don�t give me the �learn it or else� speech.

Robert Gilbert
said

As a French speaking American, I find these extremists equal to Religious bigots.

In my many visits to Montreal, I have found that the Language barrier disappeared quickly when Waiters, Shopkeepers, and others in Commerce saw that my money was "green", and almost universally accommodated me by speaking English until I said, "mais non, je parle le francaise tres bien."

This says to me that the majority of Les Quebecois need to shout down those whose actions defame them

Fed Up
said

Enough is enough... don't these politicians have anything better to do? How about they focus on Health Care and Education. Leave the language war out of hockey, or any sport for that matter.

HAMMER
said

It is hard to believe how for that great hockey team has fallen.

I can't but help but wonder how many fans who are still living in the glory days of the Canadians will be turned off by this garbage.

People should be talking about the great accomplishments that this team has acheived instead of wasting time on racist comments like this.

It will only get worse before it gets better. Only the people in Quebec can change this attitude and I don't see that happening for a long time.

GO FLAMES

Jacques
said

If Quebec politicians continue to meddle in hockey business, perhaps the non-francophone players should ask to be traded. Now, that would be nice...After all, the Montreal Canadians are used to not making the playoffs, so nothing would really change.

T. McDermott
said

Mr Bertrand's comments are nothing more than a self serving attempt to garner some publicity for his new book. Ms Marois's comments are an attempt to incite English Canadians in order to demonstrate to Francophone Canadians that the PQ xenophobic view of Quebec is their only hope.
I have never really understood how, a separate Quebec, surrounded by 280 million Americans to the South, and 22 million Anglo-Canadians to the North, East and West could ever possibly hope to survive as a culture on their own.
Quebec's survival, and prosperity is inextricably linked to a Canada that embraces multi-culturalism.

Stephen
said

Did Bertrand just say that to protect their culture, they want to get rid of multiculturalism. I guess if Quebec ever does separate, it is going to be quite the intolerant society.

I hope people realize why we favour multiculturalism so much because other people are proud of their cultures, but sometimes are not able to stay in their communities (violence, employment opportunities). Should we force them to give up their culture just to satisfy our own. You know country does that, America. And i thought one thing we Canadians pride ourselves on is our differences between our southern neighbors.

Chris Sumner
said

This kind of politics does not have a place in hockey or the NHL. This to me seems more about an attack than about speaking a language. Personal agendas will get more attention by attacking the Montreal Canadiens and more media coverage because of the media whirlwind the Canadiens bring to Montreal and the world. Personal agendas and attacks is what this is all about and it's completly obvious.

John C
said

Saku, come on over to Toronto, we dont care what language you speak!!

Fran�ois
said

So I guess the 21 century will see a new rise of Fascism! Cause this is what is going on in Quebec! I am French from Ontario and I am sick and tired of the francophone community of Quebec giving us a bad rep! Now they attack a 100 year institution??? Our beloved Montreal Canadians!!! Bah!!!

First and foremost, if the Politicians were instructed in the arts of History, they would know that the English allowed them to keep their language, customs and religion when they were conquered by General Wolfe. They became one of the favorite people of the British crown due to their hard work and productivity. They helped forge one of the best countries in the world and now they wish to destroy it. France never gave us the attention and chances that the British crown did!

God it makes me sick to hear them complain today. They want to force their values on other people and cultures. Sounds like fascism to me.

Long have I been upset at them and never spoke out for fear of repercussions, but no more.

You make me ashamed of being French, you self-righteous, pompous, aristocrats who want nothing more than power and control over a population!

We are stronger together with our differences than apart fighting our own battles! Unity not division!!!!

Peter
said

Bertrand was upset that during the Canadiens' Oct. 13 home opener, Koivu, as part of a videotaped pre-game ceremony, introduced his teammates in English only.

"I have the right to be served in my language," Bertrand said.

I am pretty sure English is one of the official languages of Canada and when I last checked Quebec was still part of Canada.

Steve
said

I think it's about time we allow Quebec to separate. I was born in Montreal 48 years ago and the debate has never changed although the recent comments about Koivu border on the ridiculous. French Canadians living in Quebec want to be more than equal and that should not be allowed. As one comedian put it, "perhaps we should allow Quebec to become a country, we can all move there and change the name to Canada and make English the only language."

MM
said

To Lulu,
If the rest of Canada acted like the French seperatists then the French people of Canada would not be recognized by any other province then Quebec. I figure this would make the French speaking people of our country even more upset. The English won the war in the past but still they give the French the benefit of the doubt. Be happy with what you have.

Min de Montreal
said

This is another case of politicians who cannot get hold of real issues that's important for the people but look for despicable ways of gaining attention. As an immigrant I am proud to have mastered both national languages without problems and I am also proud to be a Quebecer and a Montrealer. The recent comments from politicians who "represent" us are nothing to but pure racism. Why do they always blame the immigrants? If anyone has ever been in Quebec they will soon realize that immigrants speak French surprisingly well, and in most cases (that I know of) better than Quebecers. To the rest of Canada, Bloc Quebecois are just a bunch of loud minorities that us locals just ignore most of the time. As for Saku, he's there to play hockey and no fan will ever blame him for not feeling comfortable in a language he was never formally educated in. When I was in elementary school, we spent countless amount of time writing to Ms. Marois to improve our education and stop cutting into our budget. Maybe educating efficiently the younger ones is the true way to keep la belle langue?

sergio
said

"Mr. Bertrand, a flamboyant Quebec City lawyer and hockey fan, was critical of the Finnish-born Koivu's failure "to respect the right of Quebecers to be served in French." I can understand if Koivu was selling cars or working at McDonalds and Mr. Bertrand wants to be served in French. But Koivu is serving up slap-shots not big-macs. Vous voulez une tarte aux pommes avec ca?

Chris Storey
said

Talk about driving star players away from Quebec. This will do it. Any big stars out there will think twice before coming to play for the Habs. Actually, I think it has been going on for awhile now. Too bad. You can't win the Stanley Cup with "B" players. On the other hand, being here for 12 years you would think the captain would pick up some French, at least stumble his way through an interview.

Sandy
said

As a born and bred but now transplanted Montrealer this kind of stupidity only reinforces why I could never return home.
Politics and the ability to speak one language over another has nothing to do with sports. Do the players gel as a team, can they communicate with EACH other, those are the questions that need to be answered NOT if the captain and other players can speak French? Separatist politicians need to get a grip on reality, grow up and stop whining.

Louise
said

Politicians should stay out of sports. The team captain wasn't hired for speaking skills, he was hired to play hockey. As for those who seem to think, French isn't spoken anywhere else in Canada, check out Alberta and Manitoba, as well as the Maritimes. Even Ontario speaks French. To hear Quebec, it's the only province that has French as a spoken language. Sports have an international language of their own. I haven't seen anyone complaining about the language skills of say soccer players, baseball players (remember the Montreal Expos, or that all time money attraction, golf.

Looking
said

I would suppose that the Quebec people who are complaining really don't want any more good players. Not very sportsman like considering intellectuals tell us sports should not involve race, politics, language or religion.

Angel
said

I do think it is important to remember hockey is a national past time that extends beyond one provinces identity crisis that involves the language. Most of the regular people that live in Quebec do so for the atmosphere and because they were born there not because of the language. We in Canada want our hockey teams to win regardless of what team so we have the luxury of bringing in some of the most amazing talent to achieve that goal. Keep the eye on the prize and dont worry so much about whether or not its happening in English or French.

Janne
said

Speaking as a Finn.... I heard of this incident and I went looking for details around the net. And according to various sources, Mr. Bertrand said the following:

"He has been playing for 12 years (for the Canadiens). He is married to a francophone. It demonstrates contempt for our language. It is not respectful."

Um, no, he's not married to a francophone. He's married to a Finn whose native language is Finnish. Yes, she also happens to know French (Finns often know more than one language), but that does not make her a "francophone".

He also said:

"Several people have told me this would not happen in Finland, or in Italy,"

I can't speak for Italy, but I can speak for Finland. And it could and would happen in Finland, and no-one would care. Foreign athletes usually speak English to the media (even though English is not one of the official languages of Finland, unlike English in Canada is), and no-one gets their panties in a bunch. If they make the effort to learn Finnish, great! We like it it they make the effort. But we don't blame them one bit if they decide to stick to English.

And isn't English one of the official languages of Canada? If Koivu started speaking french, wouldn't that mean "denying service" to the English-speaking Canadians?

Don't worry, we (Finns that is) still like Canada and Canadians :).

John D.
said

There should be no tolerance for this kind of nonsense. Leave the man alone. He's there simply to play hockey, not to be a whipping boy for the separatist agenda. If he's supposed to speak more French, maybe they should be speaking more English. After all, this country (to which Quebec belongs) has both languages as official.

Mary
said

Why do the French insist that every Quebec resident speak their language? I was born and raised in Lecolle, Quebec to a third generation English speaking family of the province. We are as much Quebec residents as any French speaking families, and No, we are not bilingual. We have as much right to our heritage as any one else. I am proud of my English Quebec roots. This French dominance has gone on long enough. Grow up.

Cindy
said

I can't figure out which demand is more ridiculous: NHL players having to learn French or having to learn the French language to be entitled to vote within the province. I live in Montreal, Quebec and I am a very proud Canadian. My entire studies up until University have been done in French; not by obligation but by choice. I CHOSE to learn another language which makes me fluently trilingual (Italian decent). Our Charter clearly states that we shall not discriminate based on language amongst other things. I am all for preserving one's heritage but this has gone way beyond that. I am so fed up of the PQ party dictating our lives. They can't speak a word of English and as far as I'm concerned, if they ever choose to venture outside the province of Quebec, their massacred French will not serve them any good.

Catherine
said

The Habs had trouble this season to attract players to Montreal, some wouldn't go because of the language issue. If the team players continue to be sought out on their lack of French, I expect it will become much harder for the Habs to get good players. Even most Quebec born players do not want to go there.

J-P Lafleur
said

I'm so sad to read so much animosity and hatred... both ways. As a Quebecer, living in NS for the past 20 years, it hurts me. But what hurts me most, is that many think that the opinions of a few politicians (Most of whom are not in power) is the opinion of all Quebecers.
Many of us do feel that people should learn both languages. English AND French are our official languages. However, it shouldn't be mandatory. In my case, English was the only choice as a second language. But if I spoke a different language, working for a large corporation, I would rather learn English than French, since it is the working language of the Western Industrial World.
Saku is Finnish, and he "works" for a corporation that has 29 out of 30 of its franchises in English-speaking areas. When he arrived in Mtl, I'm sure he never thought he'd be here for 12 years. Why limit yourself.
Learning a language is not changing your culture. It is showing the respect for the culture you live in. Saku does that by using French in private. We shouldn't expect him to become a French-speaking spokesperson, though.
Politicians have their agendas. These wanted the language issue to be brought up to create dissention and get votes. Most of you swallowed it up... hook, line and sinker.

Gambitt
said

It must be costing a fortune for Canada to have two "official" languages. Just thing of the savings if we reverted to just one! No more duplications.

Canada is a democracy right? So we should have a vote on it...

One vote nation wide, to decide whether English or French should be the sole language of the country!

Etienne Forest, Japan.
said

Colin: Absolutely correct. But unfortunately anytime some Quebecers stand for what they believe to be their truly Canadian culture, multiculturalism is invoked to deny the existence of anything truly Canadian. I left Canada in 1980 before the Charter. I was Canadian, wasn't I? The Charter and multiculturalism mean zilch to my Canadian identity, just like the Herouxville folks.

Having said that, playing hockey is a job that does not require the French language. Mr. Koivu uses French in his private life, so what is the big deal here??? As he said, how many Canucks playing in Finland master Finnish?

Roger T
said

Everyone who lives or want to live in Quebec MUST speak the language. Just like any immigrant who wants to live in Canada MUST speak English. Even though I don't speak French because I live in Toronto I will agree with the Parti Quebecois, Quebec is losing it's unique culture. Aasimulate or Disintegrate, it's an option.

Dwayne
said

Oh, this is a double edged sword. The Quebec separatist movement wants a unilingual country, no imigration unless they learn french. English would not be taught in school and frowned upon if used in a public forum.
There are many Quebecers who speak no english and are unable to function outside of the province. Crossing the border into english speaking north america must be a terrifying experience.
If the rest of Canada was pushing to put up these same barriers I would think that all Quebecers would fight against it. This idea of a French only eutopia would soon become like a prison where there is no escape.

Ben
said

I would imagine that this will make it difficult to attract players to play for Montreal.

Tom Romer
said

You know what really gets me is that this will ultimately be the end of the Stanley Cup ever being in Montreal, the destruction of a legacy. This idea discourages potential stars from relocating and joining the Canadiens and we will forever be stuck hoping that Quebec will produce a crop of talented, french speaking players. Not likely. However, what i have noticed as well is that when i go to a Candiens game, i intermingle with seperatists, federalists, immigrants and the works...we are all united by our passion for the team, leaving our political beliefs at home. These narrow-minded politicians must learn to do the same, and let the Candiens organization function as a competitive club in NHL. These politics will drive the stars away.

Helen
said

What is the big deal about speaking French? What about all the people that come to Canada and never learn to speak English??

David
said

I sometimes wonder how educated people can be so backward. Learning a language is not like learning to drive a car. If someone comes to any NHL team from Europe he will firstly need to learn English since there is only one team in French speaking Canada and Finish for example wont get you far.
As a bilingual Canadian I feel it is a luxury to have to have the chance to experience both founding cultures and the many that have followed. To think that multiculturalism will destroy the french language which has survived an English conquest in 1760 and a predominately English speaking continent for 400 years is ridiculous. Such comments are frankly political racism, playing on the emotions of those uneducated and those of little self confidence in their culture. Surely a hockey player who speaks Finnish and English will not destroy what so many years of history has not.

ryan
said

It's too bad so many good Quebecers get a bad rep due to ridiculous politicians like Bertrand and Marois. Reasonable accomodation is becoming more of reasonable lunacy. I guess the Quebec economy is running so smoothly that these people have nothing more productive to be focusing on.

Scott in Vancouver
said

There probably wouldn't be a lot of tolerance for someone only speaking French and not learning English if that person played hockey for the Canucks or Oilers. It would probably be seen as a lack of respect for local fans, seen as rude or even arrogant.

So why should it be any different in communities where the predominant language is French?

One should make quite an effort to learn the local language and customs - and obviously be cut quite a bit of slack while they are making that effort. But the effort should be evident.

-Brian-
said

If accomodations can be made for hockey players, then people of all careers and work positions of any kind in Quebec should be able to get the same accomodations, as far as not being forced to be proficient in French (or even give public speeches in French).

Granting one or more types of work as excempt from a law is just another form of discrimination, and if you're not in those excempt from complying with the lay, you're in for a hard time with a lot of bureaucratic nightmares (or however they say it in French).

Even English is constantly changing, and trying to hold on to a language from, say,
twenty years ago, is like trying to stop both the clock and the calendar. Quebec society has to move ahead with the times, like all other "nations" on this planet.

MH
said

Old news! It's same thing when separatist want to keep Quebec out of Canada which is English-speaking language country. They just want Quebec stay Quebec which is dumb.

Rob Francis
said

If the Montreal Canadiens were part of the goverment, them by all means insist that they learn French. But since they are not, how about she minds her own business. Maybe next she will target everyone else who lives in Quebec who doesn't speak french as well. Many of the players are not even Canadian. Saku Koivu speaks English, Finnish and French. What more do you want him to do?

Nancy Vallis
said

If I remember correctly, Quebec is still part of Canada and Canada has two official languages....English and French. I wish the Canadian government would call the separatists 'bluff' and let them separate. Its to bad the remaining provinces of Canada did not have an opportunity to hold a referendum. Maybe then Quebec would be a separatist nation whether they liked it or not.

Colin
said

It's too bad a good idea to have immigrants adapt to our ways has been turned into infighting between english and french speaking Canadians. The whole original point was to prevent immigrants from trying to turn a great country we have built speaking english and french into where they came from. Oppressive places that stone women etc. Quit squabbling about people who speak the other official language and get back to the real point, the important point. People who speak french aren't forced to change outside of Quebec, they choose to so they can survive. Obviously the NHL players and others didn't choose to learn french because there must be enough english speakers in Montreal!! In Canada, how can you discriminate against someone for their language? Isn't there a human rights charter here??

Dave
said

This is hardly worth responding to except to say that it is interesting that we have a leader of the federal liberal party that can hardly speak english, but that doesn't seem to be a problem.

Shane
said

This type of extremism must not be made mainstream by politicians. It starts to bring out the worst in individuals, and it becomes a very slippery downward slope.

Why aren't Quebeckers rising up against this trend? Like Charest says, Quebeckers are going to start having a reputation of being a racist xenophobic people.

Tim Stroeder
said

Bertrand, stay out of the affairs of the greatest sports team to ever play the game of hockey. If you don't like it, you could always move to France!

JS
said

If people have to learn to speak French to live in Quebec, then it would only be fair for the French speaking people living in Quebec to learn to speak English.

Roger
said

I'm sorry; Can someone please point out where it says in the Law books that I must learn French if I live in Quebec? I must have missed that one, because I don't recall ever hearing of it. For such a supposedly 'tolerant' society, Quebecers seem to elect quite a xenophobic bunch, and it disgusts me to the core that these people ever managed to get elected in the first place. Quite frankly, the attitude of 'Speak French or get out' seems less than hospitable to me. And I damn well dare any politician to violate my freedom of choice when it comes to what language I choose to speak. If these politicians keep up their attitudes, they will surely soon learn the meaning of 'Don't Tread on Me'.

Jody
said

Maybe these politicians should take a dose of their own medicine, like Pauline Marois learning to speak English. How can she possibly promote Quebec to other parts of the world, and not speak English?? I live in Montreal, and was at a Canadiens game this fall, and all the fans are concerned about is them winning, not what language they speak. Ridiculous. Why is the Canadian Press even giving these separatists any air time.

The price of freedom
said

Too many French Canadians seem to have forgotten the old saying about letting the dove go. They are holding on so tightly that it wants nothing to get away. How big a stick are they going to use?

Alan
said

The city and province that was once so worldy, outward-looking and sophisticated that it was worthy of hosting Expo 67 and the Olympic Summer Games has become small, closed-minded and petty!

It's a shame that Francophone Quebecers feel that their culture and language are so weak and vulnerable that they have to resort to this... attacking the language of a hockey player.

All of this is nothing more than legitimized racism and xenophobia.

Matt
said

Good thing our tough, Conervative Prime Minister is taking such a tough stance when it comes to Quebec. Except that he declared them to be a "nation". Oh, and except that his finance minister gave them billions of dollars in additional transfer payments (*cough* bribe *cough*). Except that they will say whatever it takes to win votes from the conservative, rural Quebec voters. Other than all that, the gov't is doing swell.

Desmond
said

I just can't help but to think that so many people are missing the point. Learning French in Quebec isn't just about learning the language, it is about changing one's entire culture. If people are forced to change cultures against their wishes, then we might just as well live in countries where oppression is the rule of the day. This is Canada where freedom to express ones culture no matter which culture should be paramount in a multicultural society. Anything less is racism.

Richard Collinson
said

It is a simple fact of life that Quebec is a unilingual province because the politicians used the 'Notwithstanding' clause to make it so and that there is little tolerance of anything other than French by the language police and Separatists. I am suprised it took this long to attack the most prominent Quebec sports franschises.

MAT
said

In the 70's, 80's, and 90's the separatists did an amazing job isolating the majority of francophones from the rest of Canada. I truly believe the only way we can put this to rest once and for all...is to have some provinces like Ontario, BC, and even Alberta begin to educate children in French from grade 1, not necessarily full immersion but enough that they could go to Quebec and get a job in French. For some older Canadians this may be a hard pill to swallow but if the next generation of Canadians ALL grow up fluent in both official languages we can go into Quebec, the regions, and make a difference. If the Ottawa Press Gallery would shut up once in awhile and stop reporting all things Quebec & language, it would stop fanning the flames of the Seperatists. As someone that grew up in rural Alberta and have resided in Toronto for 20 years, I'm frustrated that the opportunity was not offered to me and any attempts as an adult to learn French have been embarrassing and clumsy. As the separatists infiltrated the Unions, School Boards, and other organizations decades ago, we now must do the same.

Max
said

Oh man, I hope this guy keeps talking...

He makes English Canada look quite reasonable...

Dave in Surrey
said

Helen: That is the point... Who cares what language someone speaks, especially the government... Should the government be able to tell you how to live your life? I am shocked at Quebecers for allowing this to be a debate.

Chris
said

Funny I never heard this bull when the Expo 67's were still in Montreal. Same thing with the Alouettes!

Steve D.
said

I guess Bertrand wants to force Koivu to speak French when he's on the ice too.

The only solution is for Bertrand to get 2 minutes for Interference and a game misconduct for Unsportsmanlike Conduct.

Jason B
said

First, I think it's to anyone's advantage to learn the local language of the community they live and work in, or at least to try.

What the separatists don't seem to understand is Canada is a multi-cultural country that respects the rights and freedoms of its people. One of which is the freedom of religion, and conscience.

If a person chooses not to learn French or English that is their decision, and they will have to bear the consequences. Mr Koivu says he uses French in private, and he's well entitled to do so. And, he's in Montreal to play hockey.

The separatist movement in Quebec is just destined to lose in the end. It is largely made up of xenophobic bigots who are stuck in the past. The only thing threatening the survival of French in Quebec is a low birth-rate. The rights and freedoms of Quebec's minority communities do not prevent the French majority from living and enjoying their (the French Quebec) culture.

Mo
said

In other parts of Canada, these comments from the separatists would have been deemed discriminatory and almost racist to a degree. Are they really protecting their culture? After all, isn't culture defined by the citizens, the people living there? Why should politicians have to constantly define what is considered the "appropriate" culture?

Jeannette
said

How ironic that the Montreal team is called : "Canadians". Transfer that name to the Ottawa team and rename the Montreal Team.......to something more appropriate... I will refrain from mentioning any that come to mind.

Ian Hardisty
said

Mr. Bertrand has just added another "shot in the foot" for the average folks from Quebec. If he really feels passionately for separation or other issues why doesn't he go to those 2 little islands in the Gulf and become King Guy!

David
said

I am a pro-seperatist Anglo Ontarian who mourns the day the movement lost its political relevance. I bid you bon chance, adieu, bon voyage! The sooner the better as far as I'm concerned.

Ian
said

I guess the separatists want to send Quebec back into a recession again with all of this anti-English crap. Things are rolling along nicely, the English aren't "taking over" and people have jobs and can actually make some money on their homes. I think it's time for another anglo exodus before those very same homes see their value fall through the floor.

mike
said

Frank's comment is cool but due to recent flip flopping about what a Canadian is, newcomers are more confused now than before about what is expected of them and how much they can get away with. Living in Toronto's little Korea for example, lots of chopsticks and not many forks. If they moved to Peterborough tomorrow would there be some culture shock?

Lulu
said

The last I remember, Quebec as a province is mainly and distinctly French Canadian, it's been like that for hundreds and hundreds of years. If people decide to immigrate to Canada and to live in Quebec, then they should be expected to speak the language. I'm sure if I immigrated from Canada to any other country in the world, I would be expected to speak that nation;s language as well, so as far as I see Quebec is only protecting its culture, language and unlike the province of Ontario which is sometime a little too accomodating, is only protecting its identity and will not allow anybody from anywhre to take that away from them. Hey, why doesn't the rest of Canada be like that?

Jeff from Montreal
said

Any chance for the separatists to stir the pot. Hopefully people will see how stupid these comments are. I agree with Carbonneau. Koivu is paid to play hockey. He is the captain so that he can lead the team, not represent the province or the people. Canada, 2 official languages. Last time I checked this was a free country. Mr. Bertrand and Madame Marois... Arret de niezer avec le puck!!!!

Johnson Mapple
said

Lived in Quebec 1952-1975 and managed to learn enough French to graduate from high school and university and that was as much as I was able to learn. Absolutely no aptitude for learning any other language. Other people I know are fluently bilingual and still not accepted as Quebeckers because they're English, even though they're 3rd/4th generation Quebeckers. If nothing is good enough to satisfy some people, why stick around? We moved and others still are.

David Robinson
said

The Province of Quebec promotes Canada to the rest of the world as a French speaking nation even though only about 10% of the population uses it. Of that 10% most speak it because they have to, not because of choice. The whole French language has been given a bad name because of attitudes such as this. More people may just be interested in speaking French if a gun wasn't held to their head to do so. The rest of the world is watching including other hockey nations. Two words, "Grow UP". If you want the French language to be a part of Canada you need more than discriminatory laws, you need to show respect for others. It's these bad apples that make the rest of French Canadians look bad. Most French Canadians are very giving and hospitable people.

Sean
said

And then people wonder why players don't want to go play in Montreal. The Canadiens bring lots of tourism dollars because they are a fixture to Montreal. I sometimes think that politicians should, every once in a while, pull their head out of their backsides, come up for air, look at what is going on in the world and then put their heads right back in and mind their own business.

David
said

The Quebec seperatist parties are quickly becoming irrelevant.

steve
said

My goodness doesn't this show the total pettiness of the separatist fringe? I would certainly hate to be an Anglo, let alone a non-english/french speaker in la belle province. This is so predjudicial it borders on the sublime. They couldn't manage to hold onto the Nordiques and here they are trying to destroy the most storied franchise in hockey history...what a joke! Time for the separtists to get back into their boxes.

Mangez de la cake
said

"French, Quebec's official language?"
Last time I looked Quebec was still part of Canada, and both English and French are the official languages of Canada - and therefore the official languages of Quebec.
So, French language fanatics, as one famous lady once said 'Let them eat cake'.

mike
said

By all means open the door Jean, but let the immigrants know the rough ride they are in for in advance and they may just stay home. All over the world, locals expect newcomers to integrate. Why should Quebec or Canada be any different? Sometimes I think we are too accomodating. This causes tension. Some latitude is fine but too much angers the locals, understandably.

Ben
said

I would imagine that this will make it difficult to attract players to play for Montreal.

Moran McMahon
said

May it's time to cut the umbilical cord and let the Province of Quebec sail away. It won't be long before they are absorbed by the United States and I'm sure the US won't put up with all the BS from this province like the rest of Canada does.

Helen
said

What is the big deal about speaking French? What about all the people that come to Canada and never learn to speak English?

ryan
said

Scott Curda
said

Montreal must be the one of the toughest cities to play hockey in already. If the Canadiens lose one game, their fans and media crucify the players, coaching staff and the general manager.

If Bob Gainey chose players for any other reason than than ability to help the team win, that's the day that he should lose his job.

frank
said

My family immigrated to Canada and was very proud to become Canadian. Comments made by politicians are naive, unrealistics but politically correct. Multiculturalism does not work. When you immigrate to Canada you should want to become Canadian. You can retain your customs in your home. Otherwise why leave your country of origin? I am proud to be Canadian.

R/H
said

I've said it before.... Quebec, we will build a wall around you! Maybe then we (the rest of Canada) will be free of your constant whining and never-ending cries for separation. "Go forth and hide behind language".

Rob Francis
said

If the Montreal Canadiens were part of the goverment, them by all means insist that they learn French. But since they are not, how about Pauline Marois mind her own business. Maybe next she will target everyone else who lives in Quebec who doesn't speak French as well. Many of the players are not even Canadian. Saku Koivu speaks English, Finnish and French. What more do you want him to do?

Nancy Vallis
said

If I remember correctly, Quebec is still part of Canada and Canada has two official languages....English and French. I wish the Canadian government would call the separatists 'bluff' and let them separate. It's too bad the remaining provinces of Canada did not have an opportunity to hold a referendum. Maybe then Quebec would be a separatist nation whether they liked it or not.

deuce
said

Were the Habs not once called the 'The Flying Frenchmen'??.... Seriously I heard that once.
Well call them that again! I don't have a problem with that

Scott in Vancouver
said

-Brian-
said

If accomodations can be made for hockey players, then people of all careers and work positions of any kind in Quebec should be able to get the same accomodations, as far as not being forced to be proficient in French (or even give public speeches in French).

Granting one or more types of work as exempt from a law is just another form of discrimination, and if you're not in those exempt from complying with the law, you're in for a hard time with a lot of bureaucratic nightmares (or however they say it in French).

Even English is constantly changing, and trying to hold on to a language from, say,
twenty years ago, is like trying to stop both the clock and the calendar. Quebec society has to move ahead with the times, like all other "nations" on this planet.

David
said

I sometimes wonder how educated people can be so backward. Learning a language is not like learning to drive a car. If someone comes to any NHL team from Europe he will firstly need to learn English since there is only one team in French-speaking Canada and Finish, for example, won't get you far.
As a bilingual Canadian I feel it is a luxury to have the chance to experience both founding cultures and the many that have followed. To think that multiculturalism will destroy the French language which has survived an English conquest in 1760 and a predominately English speaking continent for 400 years is ridiculous. Such comments are frankly political racism, playing on the emotions of those uneducated and those of little self confidence in their culture. Surely a hockey player who speaks Finnish and English will not destroy what so many years of history has not.

Tom Romer
said

You know what really gets me is that this will ultimately be the end of the Stanley Cup ever being in Montreal, the destruction of a legacy. This idea discourages potential stars from relocating and joining the Canadiens and we will forever be stuck hoping that Quebec will produce a crop of talented, French-speaking players. Not likely. However, what I have noticed as well is that when I go to a Canadiens game, I intermingle with seperatists, federalists, immigrants and the works...we are all united by our passion for the team, leaving our political beliefs at home. These narrow-minded politicians must learn to do the same, and let the Canadiens organization function as a competitive club in the NHL. These politics will drive the stars away.

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A truck is shown on fire following a crash near Williams Lake, B.C. on Thursday, Feb. 9, 2012. (Photo Courtesy: Wolf FM)

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