Charles Taylor

Charles Taylor: The charter would ban Jewish, Muslim and Sikh head coverings, and other religious or cultural symbols, for workers in Quebecs public sector: schools, daycares, drivers licence examiners etc. Philosopher Charles Taylor , who co-chaired a provincial inquiry into religious accommodation, immediately called it Putinesque. He was referring to Russias anti-gay laws. Sounds more poutinesque than Putinesque, said someone I know, which should qualify for instant admission to the Canadian wordplay hall of fame. It catches the provincial double entendre alert pettiness of the measures, according to The Star. This is where I get nostalgic for the old Quebec nationalism. I happened to visit Quebec City last June, where I d gone to live decades before, when I decided to try to become a writer rent a garret, take long walks, feel isolated etc. The Parti Qu b cois had yet to elect a single member though it had been founded recently by Ren L vesque, and it felt like a genuine expression along with myriad other movements and parties of the zeitgeist. The whole society was in creative motion, under the general heading of national pride and The Parti Qu b cois government in Quebec is floating a Charter of Quebec Values . It makes me nostalgic for the old days of Quebec nationalism. The provincial alert! minister of citizenship, Bernard Drainville , has said, . . . if we want to be able to properly manage this multicultural diversity, we will have to give ourselves rules and common values . . . A diversity that must be managed by government bureaucrats doesnt sound very luxuriant, creative or exuberant, but its the we will have to give ourselves part that chills me. I can see the appeal of common rules and values when they arise naturally in the give-and-take between citizens and communities, not imposed by legislation. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.