(French) Language Uber Alles

"We think it's important to adopt a new French Language Charter because I think in Montreal we have real problems on this issue.
"We want to live in French, to work in French. That is very important."
"If you want to be bilingual, I agree with you as a person. But as an institution and as government, I think the official language of Quebec is French and we don't have to be bilingual in our institutions."
Parti Quebecois Leader, Quebec Premier Pauline Marois

"Always in North America, French will need special attention."
"We must respect and apply Bill 101 as it stands today. As for going forward and protecting and promoting French, for us the solution goes better with teaching it better, writing it better, speaking it better, teaching it faster for newcomers to Quebec."
"It's always a great advantage for anyone to be bilingual. I know. And this is something the Pequistes don't want me to say, but I'll say it again -- there's not a single parent in Quebec who doesn't hope for their kids to be bilingual."
"It's such a fantastic asset in life."
Quebec Liberal Leader Philippe Couillard

The Parti Quebecois has suffered an unexpected -- though it shouldn't have been totally unexpected -- surprise when their campaign went from an assured majority PQ government rising out of the election of April 7, to the dismal (for them) news that their popularity levels had plunged after the public announcement by their prize candidate Pierre Karl Peladeau in announcing his candidacy for the PQ, also announcing his goal of achieving full sovereignty for Quebec; secession from Canada.

This in-your-face triumphalism evidently did not go over too well with the Quebec electorate, which has signalled in the past its unwillingness to once again address that issue so dear to the heart of Quebec separatists. With the full understanding of that campaign debacle, the PQ has back-pedalled on sovereignty, opting instead to use the divisive tactics of "them" and "us". Emphasizing the secular nature of Quebec and that conformity to secular values by religious minorities will become law.

Above all, placing the aggravating issue of French-language heritage rights as the language of first, and mostly only acceptability in Quebec, keening on about the danger to its primacy as a result of the presence of English-speakers, diluting the power and legal efficacy of French as the language of commerce and education. It is the identity politics that is Quebec's guiding light as an exceptional people of a proud heritage, a 'nation' unlike any other part of  Canada.

During televised election debates Liberal Leader Philippe Couillard was roundly denounced for musing how necessary it is to protect the French language, but how (controversially) beneficial it is for French-speakers to also have proficiency in English, which is the majority language in North America, the second language of choice the world over, and the international language of business and aviation, science and finance.

The new, French-language-protective measures that the PQ has promised to bring into law with a majority government would be inclusive of obligatory study in mastering French for English-language college students in the province; competence in French a requirement before diplomas are granted. And as far as business is concerned, a minimization of bilingualism requirements in hiring employees; quite unnecessary in a social-business environment that is weighted to French only.

And to round things off, Quebec's chief electoral officer made an abject apology after a spokesman for the electoral office had inconveniently commented on the obvious; that the sovereignty referendum process would be swiftly triggered once the PQ formed their yearned-for majority government. Such a scenario is not being considered, assured Jacques Drouin, in a widely-issued statement, for which the PQ is undoubtedly quite grateful.