For more than 170 years the people of Quebec have been justifiably proud of the fact that representatives elected to the National Assembly were not excluded because of their adherence to their religious beliefs or practices. Ezekiel Hart was elected several times before being allowed to take his seat but finally Quebec became the first legislative assembly in the British Empire to allow someone who was not a Christian to represent his constituents.
The National Assembly of Quebec has squandered that moral capital and disgraced itself by the banning of people who wear the kirpan. Today a practising Sikh must make a choice between being true to his religion and culture and being involved in elected politics in Quebec. Today citizens of Quebec who are practising Sikhs have been told they may only have limited involvement in the political process.
The Parti Quebecois has made xenophobia and ethnic nationalism its stock in trade and no one can be surprised by its pandering to the vilest racist elements of Quebec. However, the real disgrace is to be borne by members of the Liberal Party of Quebec; they have shown just how morally bankrupt they really have become. Shame on them. They have betrayed our heritage of inclusion and tolerance.
0 comments:
Post a Comment