The Folly of Pure Laine

"It's actually very sad that they're using people's sentiments and this kind of subject, which is very sensitive, as a political tool," said Malas, a born-and-raised Montrealer who wears a Muslim veil.

Politics, if you haven't noticed yet, isn't about policy. 

There was a time where leaders had the stones to put forward visions and seek to inspire people to follow them, but that time isn't now.  Fearing the consequences of risking big ideas or simply lacking the creativity to devise them, Political Parties are focused on turning people against each other rather than unifying them behind a dream.

When the message is "only we can protect you from those who would harm you," people stop being introspective and start getting antsy about The Other.  Responsibility, collaborative solutions and positive actions slowly give way to bitterness, blame, recrimination and punishment.

That's what Jobbik is doing in Hungary.  It's what Golden Dawn is doing in Greece.  It is beyond disappointing that any Canadian politician would opt to play that game; yes, it works, but there are consequences to fostering divides along religious or cultural reasons.

If Sikhs are banned from wearing turbans and Muslim women are banned from wearing veils in government institutions, you have essentially banned those individuals from government institutions.  That means people who wear symbols of their faith cannot be doctors, judges, bureaucrats, politicians in Quebec.  It also means they can't use government services, either.

Well, there are Sikhs, Muslims Canadians of faith that do work for the government of Quebec - many of them would leave the province instead of giving up who they are, becoming religious refugees within Canada's very own borders.

Do you think less trained professionals in Quebec is suddenly going to empower non-religious Quebecers to fill those gaps?  Keep dreaming.  Service will decline, waiting lists will expand and the same people who are looking to take out frustrations on someone else will only get angrier.  Meanwhile, those folk in society who change will increasingly be stigmatized just as their lack of access to government services starts to take a toll on their well-being. 

If the same populist political track is kept up (or left unchallenged by other governments), the temptation to go one step further and flame the fires a bit more will consume other Parties.  The urge to force conformity upon those who hold fast to their beliefs will become stronger.

All in the name of creating a safe, secure society where everyone gets along because everyone is the same. 

There is very little I fear - difference is never a threat, always an opportunity.  The thing that does put a chill in my bones, though, is watching people blindly repeat mistakes of the past.

I hope we never see a time in Canadian history where an Orthodox Jewish man is forced to cut off his payot to fit in.  That would go against everything Canada is supposed to stand for. 

Especially at this volatile point in history where governments are persecuting citizens based on who they are, we have to be better than that.

We're Canada; if we don't lead by example - who will?

UPDATE: 

Throughout the social, legal and political strife to come, the PQ will be able to claim that it is defending "real Quebecers" against Anglophones and Allophones, many of them newcomers whose choice of dress and belief in God make them a "threat" to the majority, and the encroaching, oppressive hand of the federal state.

It's all over the place these days - have our leaders completely forgotten that power isn't an end, but a means?

If Justin Trudeau is The White Knight - Does That Make Harper The Dark Knight?

 

"Part of this search stems from the romantic yearning for a white knight, a charismatic leader who can build on a passion for Canada to exert the tough love needed to woo and keep Quebeckers."

 

In the Chris Nolan Batman movies, the White Knight was Harvey Dent - all charm, promise and vision ultimately done in by The Joker (I'm trying to picture Mulcair in that role - just not happening).  It was The Dark Knight that bore the weight of the dirty work, keeping internal and external bad guys at bay.  This kinda fits with the brand Harper has tried to paint for himself.

 

What kind of Batman would Harper make?

 

Picture our Prime Minister, working alone in his office when the CP-signal lights up the sky.  He stands, slowly removing his glasses.  "It's time.  Poilievre, warm up the f35!"  Harper takes the fireman's pole hidden in Langevin Block down to the CPC war room, and makes for the locker holding his cape and cowl. 

Loyal servant Poilevre briefs the Bat-Minister as he Walks-and-Stalks to the plane - Pauline Marois is holding another event sans the Maple Leaf!  "I'll look into it," says the Caped Legislator, as he throttles the ignition and blasts out of the hidden entrance overlooking the Rideau.  "Baird can go over the GG's head", he says to himself - "but I fly under it."

 

The Harper-plane swoops into Quebec, zeroing in on the rally.  People need dramatic examples to shake them out of socialist/separatist ways, Harper thinks to himself.  I can't do that as Prime Minister, but as an angry man in a cape... his Huawei-made tracking system shakes him out of his reverie as the convention centre looms ever closer.  Harper puts his f35 in hover mode (that's what's really been redacted) and readies his grappling gun. 

 

Marois steps out of the rally surrounded by a protective swarm of supporters.  It's no use.  Harper's precision shot tags the Quebec Premier in the leg, hooking her pants.  Before she can even scream, Marois is hoisted into the air where the Bat-Minister waits.  He wastes no time on pleasantries.

 

"Where is the Maple Leaf?" he growls at the terrified, upside-down Premier.

 

"I'm sorry!" she cries in desperation, blood rushing to her head. "I'll bring it next time!  I swear, to Canada!"

 

"Swear to me!" comes the guttural reply. 

 

With no time for questions, the conversation is over; Marois drops swiftly to the ground as the Harperplane disappears into the darkness.  Somewhere out there, Harper muses, Justin Trudeau is planning the destruction of his Canada.  There is still work to be done.