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Equal Rights Passed; Maritimes Not idea of protection for Francophone sightedness of their arguments by
Happy Catholics in their provinces. An reminding the delegates that a
anonymous source close to the resolution creating an inter-colonial
The Independents tabled a resolution conference, has claimed the railway had been passed just days
this week proposing French and Newfoundland delegation asserted it earlier.
English be the official languages of would be a waste of money and
Canada. Les Bleu whole-heartedly resources to have measures in place The Nova Scotia, Newfoundland, and
supported the resolution. Mr. to ensure the French speaking Prince Edward Island delegates were
Langevin was quoted as saying minority could address their also reportedly stuck on the idea that
“anyone of us who comes from or is government or courts in French within the resolution would force their local
currently living as a minority can Newfoundland. The Nova Scotia and governments to adopt the French
appreciate the importance this Prince Edward Island delegates language into their publications,
resolution has. We must protect the shared this oppressive sentiment. documents, and transcripts. The New
rights of everyone equally.” The Reports from the debate illustrate Brunswick and Independent
resolution also included educational those delegates claimed a small delegates skillfully addressed these
equality for Catholic and Protestant French population within their concerns by stressing the resolution
schools and an appeal process to the jurisdiction means they should not be was about a broad protection of
General Government for anyone if forced into catering to such a limited equal rights and not forcing anything
this right has been infringed. The minority. Mr. Shea, from upon anyone. As the debate portion
Tories and New Brunswick joined Les Newfoundland, allegedly suggested came to a close it appeared the
Bleu in fully backing the resolution. the minority population would have to resolution might be in jeopardy.
reach a certain threshold before they However, the Independents, Les Bleu,
However, the rest of the Maritime could assert language and religious and New Brunswick formed a
delegates could not grasp the rights. We cannot speak to the coalition to guarantee this resolution
importance of passing such a culture in Newfoundland, but here in ensuring equal language and
resolution. The delegates from Canada East such an oppressive education rights for all would pass.
Newfoundland, Nova Scotia, and scheme would not stand. Thankfully,
Prince Edward Island mocked the Mr. Cartier wisely rebutted the short
An Exclusive with Mr. Langevin L: A resolution was tabled by L: I will not comment directly
the Independents which if adopted on those reports or name any
Dear faithful readers, we have a would make French and English the individuals. However, I will say the
special column for you this week. I official languages of the Dominion of resolution was met with some firm
recently sat down with the esteemed Canada. This means the French opposition. These delegations put
Mr. Hector-Louis Langevin of Les Parti minorities in other parts of the forth short sighted arguments and
Bleu for an exclusive one on one Dominion would be able to address could not grasp the importance of
interview. Mr. Langevin is the their governments or courts in this resolution since it appeared not
Member of Parliament for Dorchester French. The reverse would be true for to be positive for them. Luckily, there
in the Legislative Assembly of the the English minority in Canada East. was some spirited debate from all
Province of Canada and currently The proposal also included protection parties and their positions were
serving in the Cabinet as Solicitor for Catholic and Protestant schools exposed. I think at the end of the day
General. In addition to being a wherever they exist. Included was a everyone can agree this was a
politician, Mr. Langevin is a trained provision, which would allow an necessary resolution.
lawyer and former editor of Melanges appeal to the General Government if
religieux. the provincial governments Q: The remaining issues to be
attempted to unilaterally limit discussed are the Senate and the
Q: Mr. Langevin, heading into Catholic school rights. Les Bleu saw Lieutenant Governor and the Power
the final day of the Quebec this proposal as vital to a healthy and of Disallowance, where does Les Bleu
Conference, do you feel Les Bleu is successful confederation and stand on these matters?
achieving all of its objectives? something that must be passed in its
entirety. L: The Senate is meant to be
L: Les Bleu has been quite the upper house and provide a sober
successful in our efforts to secure Q: There have been some second thought for the House of
equality for the people of Canada reports that the Nova Scotia, Commons. Therefore, the Senate
East and all Francophone people. Newfoundland, and Prince Edward should be comprised of members
Island delegations vehemently from Canada East, Canada West, and
Q: You speak of securing opposed this essential resolution, the Maritimes (Newfoundland
equality for French Canadians, can could you comment on the included) by utilizing a model of
you comment any further on what authenticity of these reports? sectional equality. The Lieutenant
that means? Governor is responsible for ensuring
the needs of their province are met, Final days of Quebec Conference seats in the senate and even argued
which means they should be Marred by Insults and Betrayals that an “elected senate would
appointed and paid for by their jeopardize the democracy of the
province. The power of disallowance Intelligent debate or petty haggling? House of Commons.” How elections
is a necessary evil to ensure Debate on the issue of the senate could jeopardize democracy remains
uniformity and equality however the devolved into mud-slinging and insult- a mystery.
power should be time limited and hurling. Charles Tupper of the Nova
used only in reasonable Scotian delegation was a primary Tories forgetful or deceitful? In a
circumstances. agitator in these events and many, stunning turn of events, the Tories
including George-Étienne Cartier failed to include Les Bleu in their
Q: As the Conference comes to during the debates, have since coalition in support of federally
a close do you feel Confederation is a questioned his intelligence and dress appointed lieutenant governors after
viable outcome? style. Tupper responded that Cartier Cartier vigorously threw his party’s
simply enjoyed conniving with the PEI support behind the Tories’ proposal.
L: I believe we have made delegation to grind all negotiations to Although Les Bleu and the Tories
great progress towards a united a halt. This was a surprising came into the Quebec conference as
Dominion of Canada. There are still accusation, given his complete members of a coalition government
some key issues to debate and agree unwillingness to compromise on the and initially presented a united front,
upon but all the delegations have issue of senate appointments tensions have mounted and the
been acting in the spirit of compared to PEI’s flexibility on the united façade is showing cracks. It is
Confederation and I see no reason issue. entirely possible that John A.
why that would change. McDonald drunkenly forgot to include
Nova Scotia carried the day with a Les Bleus, but it was a stinging blow
Q: Thank you for your time Mr. proposal of federally appointed to those erstwhile allies.
Langevin. I wish you all the best in the senators, despite their early
remainder of the Conference and incoherence on several issues. Upper Prior to the conference, Les Bleus
your future endeavors. and Lower Canada shall each have expressed support for provincially
24 senators, while the Maritime appointed lieutenant governors.
L: Thank you Provinces shall share 28. Nova Scotia Cartier’s endorsement of the Tories
had difficulty explaining why contrary proposal was thus a great
Newfoundland should receive more compromise that was shamefully
spurned. It is perhaps unsurprising Disparate, bickering colonies tied As the prospect of confederation
that the Tories are to blame for this together by a railway and naught looms near and moves from the
division, given that their else? The behaviour of the delegates realm of ideas to that of reality, these
representatives consist of drunkards at the Quebec Conference seem to colonies will need more than a
and turncoats. Our readers are no indicate so. The conference has been railway to stand together as a true
doubt aware of John A. McDonald’s marred by insults, alliances of union.
history of drunkenness and convenience and lack of decorum.
Cockburn’s decision to abandon his
electorate by crossing the floor to the
Tories Taché on Confederation