I admit that, in the past, I have not always run to the polls to exercise my right to vote. And, generally speaking, I never faced any regrets afterwards because things always turned out the way I would have voted anyhow. But, looking back, this was dumb. The decision to not vote could have had negative consequences, and it is a decision that far too many people choose to make unfortunately. Every vote counts!
I don’t like to talk politics, and rarely do, but I have to say that our current “government” is ruining La Belle Province in my opinion!
Canada is a democratic society. What is democracy? According to Wikipedia, “Democracy is a form of government in which all eligible citizens participate equally—either directly or indirectly through elected representatives—in the proposal, development, and creation of laws. It encompasses social, religious, cultural, ethnic and racial equality, justice, liberty and fraternity.”
Unfortunately, I don’t think our current government got that information! Forget the current disaster of our healthcare system and our economics for a minute. Trying to create laws banning people from wearing religious symbols? Sanctioning people for speaking English in Canada? Attempting to restrict access to English schooling? And, last but not least, an agenda to hold a referendum to separate too?
Enough is enough!
I have health issues, and I couldn’t care less about what you are wearing on your head or around your neck when you are treating me so long as you know what you are doing.
I was raised with both French AND English in my everyday life; school, church, extra-curricular activities, neighborhood, friends and family. And in my adult life, I am now beginning to add more and more Italian and Spanish to my repertoire too. And this is now being seen as a crime? You know, studies have shown that people who speak more than one language are smarter and there are many benefits of bilingualism. Google it, there are studies worldwide that support this! Clearly someone (points to government) needs to learn a second language! Why not try English?
And telling me where I can and cannot send my future children to school, based solely on language? I’m sorry, but I would rather pay exorbitant amounts of private school fees to an English school than have my child’s education dictated to me. Ironically, until recently, I always said I would send my future children to a French school but I no longer have faith in what they will be taught in that system if the current government is any example or their teachings.
And about separating from Canada… this just makes me laugh. I was only 16 years old when the last referendum on sovereignty was held and I remember having to write a paper about the possibility of separation and how I felt about it. And you know what I wrote? I said that if Quebec were stupid enough to separate, the rest of Canada wouldn’t bat an eyelash. And when Quebec desperately came crawling back to ask for help, because it could not sustain itself, Canada would have no problem turning their backs on Quebec and refusing to take them back and I don’t blame them! The only problem with that is that I fully believe if that were to happen, the USA would buy us out and I don’t know what would be worse… to be a former Canadian or to be American!
So, to wrap up… if you have been like me and opted not to vote a few times in the past – this is not the time for that nonsense! And if you have never voted before, there is a first time for everything! If you don't vote, then you don't get the right to complain about the results afterwards! We look at other countries around the world on the news every day and criticize their dictatorships and wish them well, all while we throw away our own rights and freedoms because we do not see their value… don’t let us become one of them!
Proud Canadian… but a not so proud Quebecer at the moment!
