PrintMarch 27, 2007
Herouxville, Quebec
The town of Herouxville, Quebec, which gained notoriety by asking that recent immigrants adapt to local ways rather than vice versa, has established an English language website, seeking support for its policies, which have been denounced as racist. An excerpt from the website:
As Quebecois Canadians we are only stating to the world informing them of our way of life is vitally important to us, much like the way of life amongst other cultures is important to them. For us to change our ways and tradition to accommodate others who wish to live here is like asking our country's respected founding First Nation's Culture to incorporate Dutch traditions and wear wooden shoes and erect Windmills in their community. Our requests we feel are quite reasonable for anyone who wishes to live amongst us and no more unreasonable than if we were to live in another country and insist a Catholic Church, Saint Jean Baptiste, Wine Harvest celebrations are to be included in their customs and beliefs.
"First Nation" is the Canadian term for the native Canadian communities which preceded European settlement. An obvious connection to the effort of Francophone Canadians to preserve their culture also shines through, making this situation particularly interesting.
Sunday's election in Quebec saw the Liberals win a bare victory, and the separationist Parti Quebecois devastated in third place. The major surprise was the rise of the conservative Action democratique du Quebec to a close second place finish. The ADQ straddles the issue of independence, calling for Quebec "autonomy" within a federal structure.
The Herouxville folks are looking for emails of support from outsiders interested in supporting their right to ask immigrants to assimilate.
