The CAQ certainly deserves reproach in a lot of cases.
If there is, however, a minister who, with the means he has, tackles real emergencies without pretending, it is Bernard Drainville.
Teachers take control of a public school and impose muscular Islam.
Other schools are under investigation.
Ultra-religious parents seek to infiltrate school boards.
There are reports of similar problems in daycares.
Motion
It is always the same religion which is at the center of the controversies: Islam, in its militant and conquering version.
If we search seriously, it is reasonable to think that we will find other cases.
What does Drainville do? He suspends teachers, orders investigations, demands that this be treated “with all necessary seriousness and rigor”.
In short, he acts, he takes his responsibilities and, above all, he names things clearly. It doesn’t drown the fish.
It is not Catholicism or Buddhism that seeks to extend its influence.
Quebecers who had not yet understood this are “discovering” that the serious problems facing Europe have arrived here.
And that’s when the PQ tabled a motion to end subsidies to private religious schools!
Immediately, the urgency of the moment is evacuated and all the space is taken up by another debate!
As a bonus, we are plunged into confusion about what is meant by a “religious school” and what is problematic about them.
Not following the ministerial program? Have they once been founded by a religious congregation? Be subsidized?
We mix everything.
Obviously, QS, delighted to receive this perfect pass from the PQ on the palette, hastened to seize the opportunity to no longer talk about Islam – a subject which embarrasses him terribly – and to reactivate his old hatred of everything that is private, school or something else.
The PLQ finds itself divided.
Journalists, terrified whenever Islam is mentioned, are delighted to find a new subject to write about and are fully engaged in this parallel discussion.
Let’s understand: there are excellent arguments for and against subsidies to private schools, religious or not.
This is an important and legitimate debate.
But this is not the priority at the moment.
When you hunt moose, you don’t get distracted by deer tracks.
The PQ motion has completely diverted the spotlight from the serious issue that should concern us.
Passé
Frankly, do you know many Quebecers worried by a Catholic college that does not hide its values?
Is there an underground Catholic offensive?
François Legault had no difficulty scoring in an empty net: yes, we will examine the question, but we will take the time to do it correctly and without apologizing for Quebec’s Catholic past.
Instead of trying to score silly little political points, all parties should support Bernard Drainville’s difficult fight.
