Standing in Solidarity

I admit. I’m an Ontarian, and I don’t ask for services in French very often. 

But that’s not really the point is it?

It’s too easy to ignore attacks on minorities until you find yourself among them. Pierre Trudeau’s government introduced the Charter of Rights and Freedoms so that minority rights wouldn’t be left exposed to the whims of the majority.

Inevitably, we all find ourselves part of a minority group sooner or later.  

That’s why as Ontarians, and on this Franco-Ontarian day of action, we should all stand up for the francophone community of our province.

But I don’t simply feel compelled to stand in solidarity with Franco-Ontarians as a member of a different minority group. As a Canadian, I value the constitutional rights of French-speaking Canadians and their unique contribution to the foundation of this great country, and our province.

Personally, I feel that Canada’s two official languages, and the role all cultures play in our country, not only create richer communities to live in, they also impart in us the reflex to open our eyes and hearts to the rest of the world. 

My daughters are in French immersion, not just because it will open more doors for them, but also because their lives will be further enriched by the cultural diversity of our country.

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These are all reasons I also felt winded by Premier Ford’s two-punch combo to the guts of Franco-Ontarians.  

First, the Ford government cut funding for a vital Franco-Ontarian project – the province’s first French-language university – six months after promising the opposite on the campaign trail. Put this one in the sucker-punch category.

To put this in perspective, Anglophones have three universities in Quebec.

Then, the Ford government scrapped the position of French Language Services Commissioner. Oh, the Environmental Commissioner and the Ontario Child Advocate also get the axe, just in case you had any air left in your lungs.

After a week of uproar, including public condemnation by his government’s own parliamentary assistant for Francophone Affairs, Premier Ford backpedaled clumsily on the Commissioner’s position. Not surprisingly, the bulk of the cuts remain.

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It’s sad to see history repeating itself. Another Conservative government in Ontario, another thumping on Francophones.

And the most disappointing part might be the deafening silence of Andrew Scheer’s federal Conservatives, who have yet to denounce Doug Ford’s brazen attack on Francophones.

The top responsibility of elected representatives is to defend the rights of our citizens. When facing attacks on minority groups, we must openly denounce them. It's a matter of leadership.

Minister of Official Languages, Mélanie Joly, and Prime Minister Trudeau have spoken clearly: These cuts are unacceptable and an affront to Franco-Ontarians.  

Franco-Ontarians, Anglo-quebeckers, and in fact, all Canadians can feel safe our government will stand up for them if their rights are trampled on.

When one minority’s rights are attacked, everyone’s rights are threatened. This is a time to be united with Franco-Ontarians, who are just the latest – along with our children – to be paying the price for Conservative cuts.

The only way we can be confident our rights are protected as minorities is when we all stand in solidarity whenever one of us is attacked.

Those elected to represent Ontarians all need to stand up to this injustice.