Human rights groups are calling on the Parti Québécois to scrap its contentious 'Quebec Identity' legislation, which they say puts the province to shame.
Bill 195, which outlines requirements for immigrants to earn so-called 'Quebec' citizenship, includes measures to prevent immigrants from running for political office, petitioning the government or fundraising for political parties if they can't pass a French test.
The legislation is xenophobic, echoes extreme right-wing immigrant policies seen in Europe and is an attempt to legislate discrimination, claims the Centre for Research on Race Relations (CRARR) and B'nai Brith Canada.
It would inevitably create two classes of citizens, said Steven Slimovich, national legal counsel for B'nai Brith.
"You either have inalienable human rights, or you don't," he said Thursday. "You either have freedom of expression, freedom of assembly, freedom of religion, and so forth, or you don't.
"It cannot possibly be limited on the basis or the cultural views of any group in the society where you live."
The groups are asking the PQ withdraw the bill and apologize to Quebecers. They've also asked United Nations Special Rapporteur on Human Rights Doudou Diène to comment on the legislation.
Slimovich said the legislation marks a disturbing return to the divisive "them" and "us" attitude that positions white, Catholic francophone pure laine Quebecers against immigrants of all stripes.
Identity bill marks shift for struggling PQ
The bill seems condemned with both the minority Liberal government and opposition Action Démocratique du Québec slamming it for being unconstitutional.
But the PQ's idea of Quebec citizenship based on French competency indicates the sovereigntist party is ready once again to tap into linguistic insecurities in order to bolster its support, observers said.
"The Parti Québécois has a credibility deficit in regards to defending identity," said Université de Montréal political scientist Denis Monière, in an interview with Canadian Press.
The PQ was soundly defeated in the last provincial election, finishing third after losing significant ground in rural ridings to the conservative-minded ADQ, now the province's official Opposition.
The stunning loss shook the party, forced then leader André Boisclair to resign and sparked internal debate about the separatist party's raison d'être.
Some PQ supporters believe the losses reflect the party's erosion from its traditional linguistic battleground as it expanded its reach in the 1990s, and opted for a more inclusive image.
"Within that context, it has put in place a strategy to retake control of the political agenda to edge out the ADQ in promoting the Québécois identity," Monière told CP.
Marois is in a tight spot as she has rejected the possibility of another immediate referendum if the PQ regains power — but she wants to promote and defend the French language, the impetus behind the writing of Bill 195.
The party wants to "advance the cause of sovereignty without achieving it," Monière said. "It's paradoxical."
If nothing else, debate over the unprecedented legislation has renewed interest in the party's ideas and underlines a new strategy for Marois, Monière said. The PQ leader has "succeeded insofar that we are talking about her.
"That's controlling the political agenda, which is something the Parti Québécois hasn't done in the last two years."
With files from the Canadian PressShare Tools
Latest Montreal News Headlines
- Tornado touchdown confirmed near Montreal
- Trees were uprooted, roofs damaged and windows shattered as severe thunderstorms and a tornado rattled through southwestern Quebec Friday night. more »
- Champlain Bridge road work blitz this weekend
- Transport Quebec is advising drivers to avoid the Champlain Bridge corridor this weekend as a blitz of major road work closes down some lanes. more »
- Quebec students ready for tuition hike, says one leader
- The president of Quebec's College Student Federation (FECQ), Leo Bureau-Blouin, tells CBC Radio's The House that students "are ready for a compromise on the amount of a tuition hike," as the Quebec government and the province's student associations prepare to resume talks. more »
- IOC's Jacques Rogge encourages Olympic bids for Quebec City, Toronto
- International Olympic Committee president Jacques Rogge believes there is an opportunity for either Quebec City or Toronto to host a future Olympic Games. more »
Top News Headlines
- Everest team unable to bring down Toronto woman's body
- Bad weather has hampered the recovery team that is attempting to bring down the body of a Toronto woman who died trying to climb Mt. Everest. more »
- 32 Syrian children die in artillery attack, says UN
- More than 90 people have been killed by regime forces in a district of central Syria, with the head of the UN team in the country confirming at least 32 children and 60 adults were killed the attack. more »
- Woman's remains found in hockey bag on Cape Breton river
- Police in Nova Scotia are investigating after a woman's remains were found in a hockey bag floating on a Cape Breton river Friday night. more »
- Montreal student group says Bill 78 must be priority
- Quebec's coalition of student associations says Bill 78 must be a priority if a new round of negotiations start up with the government in the ongoing tuition conflict. more »
Most Viewed/Commented
- Tornado touchdown confirmed near Montreal
- 32nd night protest in Montreal
- Quebec students challenge Bill 78 in court
- Quebec students ready for tuition hike, says one leader
- Mysterious photos may shed light on 2004 Quebec homicide
- Son testifies on behalf of father accused of killing wife
- Quebec faces mounting pressure amid student crisis
- Ottawa man in hospital after lightning strike
- Bookies set odds on Quebec student protest

