Canadians struggle over minority questions

By BILL CURRY
Toronto Globe and Mail
Friday, October 19, 2007

Federal officials have privately warned the Canadian government that Quebec's debate over reasonable accommodation of minorities is spreading across Canada and could trigger "alarming" divisions in the country.

Internal government documents show Jason Kenney, the federal secretary of state for multiculturalism and Canadian identity, personally requested a comprehensive briefing on the issue earlier this year.

The deputy minister of Canadian heritage, Judith LaRocque, responded with a detailed analysis from the department. It outlines how the issue first appeared in court rulings on labor matters and has grown into a heated political debate that draws in issues of immigration and multiculturalism.

"There is now a sense of urgency to more clearly define and explain the principle of reasonable accommodation, as alarming shifts regarding the split between 'them' and 'us' may occur," the briefing says. "This is of particular concern in Quebec, at a time when the government is putting programs in place to close gaps affecting minority groups."

The document notes that while the debate is focused on Quebec, it is also taking place in the rest of Canada, "albeit on a smaller scale for now." The paper informs Kenney that the "politicization" of the debate in Quebec suggests a "a certain split in Quebec between the French Republican model of managing religion in the public sphere and the traditional Canadian multiculturalism model."

The briefing notes, which were obtained by Ottawa researcher Ken Rubin, surface as the Conservative government prepares legislation forcing voters to show their faces when casting ballots. The measure responds to recent controversy that current laws allow voters to wear a face-covering veil.

At the same time, Kenney and Prime Minister Stephen Harper are singing the praises of multiculturalism like never before. Kenney has twice cited a commitment to multiculturalism in the House this week to explain why the Prime Minister sent Rosh Hashanah greeting cards to Jewish Canadians.

"Most MPs (in the opposition) only do it at Christmastime, but because we believe in multiculturalism, we share holiday greetings on important festivities for all communities based on publicly available lists of information," Kenney told the House of Commons.

Meanwhile, the Parti Qeubecois is introducing a bill to establish a "Quebec citizenship" that would require all immigrants to have an "appropriate knowledge" of the French language to be sworn in as citizens of the province. PQ Leader Pauline Marois said the Quebec Identity Act will enable the Quebec nation to fully express its historical heritage and fundamental values.