Jean Souviens Vice-president of Québec V |
Tough Love [ENGLISH is not Mr. Souviens’ first language so, “please excuse the English”, as Jean would say.] Souviens: I would like to say I like to talk to you but if I did, I would be lying. And I don’t lie. Unlike you Mr. MacDonald! Johnny: I’m sorry what … what are you talking about? Souviens: You know what I’m talking about, that reference you made about Québec mistreating the Indians. THAT IS A LIE! Johnny: Oh, I see where you’re coming from. What did I say that was a lie? Souviens: [picking a piece paper off his desk] I have your exact words right here. During your interview with that fellow Singh you say and I am quoting: “The Québec government couldn’t care less, after all, the Natives in every referendum voted overwhelmingly against separation. It’s payback time in le beau pays.” Johnny: Correct me if I’m wrong, but Québec is eliminating reserves, forcibly relocating the Cree and Inuit and stopping all payments that were agreed to under the James Bay treaties. Need I go on? Souviens: So that is what you call payback which, if I understand correctly, means revenge, la vengeance? Johnny: Yes, payback could be considered a form of revenge. Souviens: Well Mr. MacDonald, you could not be more mistaken. What you call revenge we call, what is your English expression … tough love. Johnny: Tough love??? Souviens: Yes, tough love! It is because we love our Indian brothers and sisters that we want them to be fully integrated within Québec society; to have all the rights and privileges of ordinary Québecquers. Johnny: Perhaps, but they don’t want what you are offering. They say they just want to keep their land and their culture. Souviens: They do not know what is good for them. Johnny: Québecquers would never have accepted that kind of forced assimilation from Canada? Souviens: It is not assimilation; we want them to become Québecquers. Johnny: I don’t see the difference. Souviens: Of course you don’t, you’re not a Québecquer. Johnny: How do you Mr. Souviens, how does your government define what is a Québecquer? Souviens: [under his breath] Maudite tête carré. A Québecquer is a person who is born in Québec or a person who chooses to come and live here and accepts our values and traditions. If he or she demonstrates a willingness to live like a Québecquer, then they will be, eventually, accepted into the loving Québecquer family. Johnny: But the Cree and Inuit have already said they don’t consider themselves Québecquers. Souviens: What did I just say? [louder] WHAT DID I JUST SAY? If you are born and live in Québec or come here and accept our traditions and values you’re a Québecquer. That’s it, end of story. Johnny: Hard to argue with that logic. Souviens: It is Cartesian logic which you English people could not understand. Johnny: Obviously. Circular reasoning is not something we are very good at. Souviens: Évidemment. I thought you invited me on your program to talk about The Fracture, la Fracture, not about how we are trying to improve the life of our Indian brothers and sisters?
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