Middle Diddle

for M.F.

Mona Fortier, Canada’s Minister of Middle Class Prosperity

 

Great! a Minister to watch the middle-class
As poor upper-class folks are being ignored
Who will sustain our portfolios, alas?

Canada’s become a land of taxing grass
Meanwhile, the legal stuff I cannot afford
Great! a Minister to watch the middle-class.

Good God! they’ve put a carbon levy on gas
Whilst alternatives, they’ve not well explored
Who will sustain our portfolios, alas?

When the next election comes to pass
I will recall all the friends they reward
Great! a Minister to watch the middle-class.

As stock prices fall short sellers amass
Considerable wealth, forcing me to hoard
Who will sustain our portfolios, alas?

The lower will be left, left on their ass
I hope the rulers fall flat on their sword
Great! a Minister to watch the middle-class
Who will sustain our portfolios, alas?

Dear Elizabeth May, leader of the Green Party of Canada

Elizabeth May You Respond?

Dear Elizabeth,
Thank you for the invite to the Climate Strike march in Montreal.
Can I count on you to stand up for the Jews, Muslims, and Sikhs, who are being discriminated here in Quebec? Will you advocate referring Bill 21, An Act Respecting the Laicity of the State, to the Supreme Court of Canada, pursuant to s. 53.1(b) of the Supreme Court Act?
Do let me know before Friday. Thanks.
Jack Locke

Has Jagmeet Singh turned his back on Quebecers?

NDP leader Jagmeet Singh speaking in Montreal today.

Has federal NDP leader Jagmeet Singh turned his back on his Quebec brothers and sisters?

It certainly seemed like it from my perspective as I stood within arm’s-length of Singh as he spoke to University of McGill students, NDP supporters, and the media earlier today.

No mention by him of Quebec’s horrendous, discriminatory Bill 21, now an Act Respecting the Laicity of the State. Not one word.

Starting out with a long opening in French, it seemed like Singh was not going to address the audience in English, a clear faux-pas, but an indication that Singh was reaching out to one segment of the Quebec demographic.

Prior to his commencement there was a clear indication that NDP staffers wanted no one near Singh to be wearing “No Loi 21” buttons. Although they were unsuccessful, it was clear the turban-wearing leader wanted to stay clear of the subject. Sad really.

You would think that Singh would and could be a clear champion of human rights and show leadership where the other parties fear to tread. And maybe he might? Or not. At least today, he chose not to address the major issue of this campaign, defending the rights of Canadians when bullied by discriminatory provincial pooh-bahs.

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Letter to Premier François Legault

© 2019 Christinne Muschi

 

 

June 19, 2019

My dear Premier François Legault,

As a Quebec resident, I am deeply concerned that you fail to understand the perspective of those people who will be harmed by the Secularism law.

Let me step back. I belong to no religion, I practice no religion. I rejected religion more than 40 years ago. However, I respect other peoples’ rights to practice religion so long as they do no harm to others.

If a doctor at a public hospital is wearing a kippah, it should not bother Quebecers because I believe most Quebecers desire respect and show respect for others. If an engineer is wearing a turban, I only care that they ensure a structure is safe. Period.

I have come before many judges in my day, and none wore any religious symbols. Needless to say, they often made errors, but not because of their religious affiliations. Religion played no part in their decision making.

Quebec’s Secularism law denies Quebecers the opportunity to make this place a great place to live. Why would you want to deny religious persons, who wear small articles on their bodies, an opportunity to contribute to this place? They might enhance Quebec, if you give them the chance.

Alas, it appears that you do not want to give them opportunity in the public service. It appears that you want them to be denied equal opportunity in Quebec.

It makes little sense to me. I would welcome the opportunity to discuss this with you at your convenience.

Until then,

Jack J. Locke

 

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