World Religion The newly elected governor of Quebec has been criticised after claiming that the crucifix is not a religious symbol—after pushing forward with plans to ban officials wearing religious clothing such as hijabs. François Legault wants to ban civil servants from wearing clothing hijabs or skull caps seen as denoting religious faith—but is refusing to implement a 2008 government commissioned report calling for a crucifix to be removed from the Quebec National Assembly. The National Assembly of Quebec is viewed in Quebec City on June 10 2018. Getty Images The reason, according to Legault, is that the crucifix is not a religious symbol, but a historical symbol. "We have to understand our past," Legault told reporters in Yerevan, Armenia, where he is attending a Francophone summit, reported CBC. “In our past we had Protestants and Catholics,” Legault said Thursday. “They … [Read more...] about Quebec Leader Wants Hijab Banned But Claims Crucifix is not Religious Symbol
Quebec
Quebec election 2018 – Frontrunner vows to kick out immigrants who fail ‘values test’ in snub to Liberal PM Justin Trudeau
A PARTY promising to slash immigration and kick out immigrants who fail “values” tests in Quebec are in a dead heat with the incumbent Liberals. The centre-right Coalition Avenir Quebec (CAQ) also wants mandatory French language tests for new arrivals. The October 1 election could see the Liberals kicked from a seat they have held for nearly 15 years, and will be the first in nearly six decades where the question of whether French-speaking Quebec should separate from the rest of Canada is not a campaign issue. But the old fight has now morphed into arguments over immigration and perceived threats to Quebec’s French identity. Led by businessman Francois Legault, the CAQ party is tied with Premier Philippe Couillard’s Liberals, with each party supported by 30 per cent of decided voters, according to a poll by Ipsos for La Presse and Global News. This means whoever wins on October 1, the province will likely be left with a minority government. Chedly Belkhodja, a … [Read more...] about Quebec election 2018 – Frontrunner vows to kick out immigrants who fail ‘values test’ in snub to Liberal PM Justin Trudeau
Saudi Arabia Demands Canada Grant Quebec Independence and Equal Rights to Indigenous Population, Foreign Minister Says
World International Affairs Saudi Arabia’s foreign minister has demanded that Canada grant the province of Quebec independence and guarantee full rights to its marginalized indigenous population, in apparently sarcastic comments during a Wednesday forum. Discussing the ongoing diplomatic feud between Ottawa and Riyadh, which arose last month when Canada criticized Saudi Arabia’s human rights record and called for the release of several detained activists, Saudi Foreign Minister Adel Al-Jubeir said his country wants an “apology.” “It is outrageous from our perspective that a country will sit there and lecture us, and make demands. ‘We demand the immediate release’ ... Really?” Al-Jubeir said at an event at the Council on Foreign Relations in New York, Saudi-owned broadcaster Al Arabiya reported. “We demand the immediate independence of Quebec and the equal granting of rights to Canadian Indians [which Canada refers to as the First … [Read more...] about Saudi Arabia Demands Canada Grant Quebec Independence and Equal Rights to Indigenous Population, Foreign Minister Says
Parmentier claims Quebec City title for second win of year
(Reuters) - France's Pauline Parmentier won her second title of the year when she defeated American qualifier Jessica Pegula at Quebec City on Sunday. Parmentier, the eighth seed, withstood five aces from Pegula and claimed half of the American's second service points to win her fourth career title. Her other victory this year came at Istanbul in April. Parmentier, who is 4-0 in career finals, also saved three of four break points against her, while breaking Pegula four times. Pegula, seeking her first title, broke early for a 3-1 lead in the first set before Parmentier battled back. With the score 5-5, Pegula saved two break points, the second with an ace before Parmentier converted a third with a forehand winner to go up 6-5. Serving for the set, the Frenchwoman came back from a 0-30 deficit and closed out the set four points later on another forehand winner. Parmentier opened up a 4-0 lead in the second set and served out the match after Pegula had closed to within 5-2. (Reporting … [Read more...] about Parmentier claims Quebec City title for second win of year
Vietnam enhances ties with Canada’s Quebec province
Vietnamese Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Nguyen Ngoc Thien (second from left) and Quebec’s Minister of International Relations and La Francophonie Christine St-Pierre (second from right) pose for a photo (Source: VNA) Ottawa (VNA) – Vietnam and Canada’s Quebec province hold special relations, but the two sides should further step up cooperation in specific areas to deepen these ties, a senior official has said. Vietnamese Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Nguyen Ngoc Thien made the remarks at a working session in Montreal city on September 14 with Quebec’s Minister of International Relations and La Francophonie Christine St-Pierre. At the meeting, the two officials discussed measures to boost bilateral collaboration in conformity with their real situation and demands. Thien expressed his hope that the two sides will step up cooperation in all fields, especially in culture through art and cinematographic exchange programmes, the joint … [Read more...] about Vietnam enhances ties with Canada’s Quebec province