maplesyrup Posted June 20, 2004 Report Posted June 20, 2004 Maybe this thread should have been entitled: "Watch the Conservatives lose votes in Quebec!" Tories would let Air Canada be unilingual: CP Quote An education isn't how much you have committed to memory, or even how much you know. It's being able to differentiate between what you do know and what you don't. Anatole France
Argus Posted June 20, 2004 Report Posted June 20, 2004 Maybe this thread should have been entitled:"Watch the Conservatives lose votes in Quebec!" Tories would let Air Canada be unilingual: CP So the actual gist of the story is that the Tories, not surprisingly, want to remove a law which unfairly requires Air Canada to do a lot of things which cost it money - bilingualism being just one part of that. Why are they required to keep their head office in Montreal anyway? I mean, what is the logic there? And why are they required to keep maintenance offices in Winnipeg and Mississauga? This smack of pork and patronage. The Tories have long suggested they want out of the airline business. Air Canada, on the brink of bankruptcy, will need to operate as a private carrier. Why should they be required to obey all these stupid pork laws? I think some people just don't understand the concept of freedom. They want the governmen ordering everyone around and requiring everyone to do things. Maybe you missed the following passage: Dimitri Soudas, a spokesman for the Conservative leader, said the position on Air Canada was known and that the party wants to re-establish equity between airlines."Air Canada has a bilingual clientele," he said. "It's their choice to decide to offer bilingual services and we hope that they do it." They're just not going to order them to. Ah, freedom. It's scary, ain't it? Quote "A liberal is someone who claims to be open to all points of view — and then is surprised and offended to find there are other points of view.” William F Buckley
playfullfellow Posted June 20, 2004 Report Posted June 20, 2004 Yep, big Conservative scandal there. Letting a company decide to be bi-lingual or not. More twisting of the words I see. That third wheel went flat I see. Quote
Stoker Posted June 20, 2004 Report Posted June 20, 2004 I wonder whats better.......a unilingual national airline, that is based out of Montreal.... or no airline at all? FFS, let's let Air Canada sink or swim like a normal airline, but before we cast it off, let's remove the lead boots... Quote The beaver, which has come to represent Canada as the eagle does the United States and the lion Britain, is a flat-tailed, slow-witted, toothy rodent known to bite off it's own testicles or to stand under its own falling trees. -June Callwood-
Argus Posted June 20, 2004 Report Posted June 20, 2004 I wonder whats better.......a unilingual national airline, that is based out of Montreal.... or no airline at all?FFS, let's let Air Canada sink or swim like a normal airline, but before we cast it off, let's remove the lead boots... Does anyone seriously think Air Canada would go unilingual? Come on. Remember, the requirement to observe official bilingualism is just one part of the law they operate under, and is certainly not the main reason why they want to be out from under that law. Quote "A liberal is someone who claims to be open to all points of view — and then is surprised and offended to find there are other points of view.” William F Buckley
Boydfish Posted June 20, 2004 Report Posted June 20, 2004 Hey, you never know, they're only saying that they'd drop the bilingual requirement. Knowing Canadians, you'd probably try and be the only airline in the world that doesn't operate in English. Quote
playfullfellow Posted June 20, 2004 Report Posted June 20, 2004 Hey, you never know, they're only saying that they'd drop the bilingual requirement. Knowing Canadians, you'd probably try and be the only airline in the world that doesn't operate in English. Good point, never thought of it that way Quote
Common Sense Posted June 20, 2004 Report Posted June 20, 2004 Hey, you never know, they're only saying that they'd drop the bilingual requirement. Knowing Canadians, you'd probably try and be the only airline in the world that doesn't operate in English. The stupidity and danger of running an airline and using two languages is insane and has always been insane. For example when flying over French airspace or preparing to land or take off from major French Airports the language they use is: ENGLISH. Why? Because the whole world has switched to ENGLISH as the working language and the language of SAFETY !!French has dropped down to 17th in languages used around the world. Does that mean it is a terrible language? No ! English is in the top 5 languages used in the world BUT the working language in practically everything that affects citizens daily lives around the world is ENGLISH! It saves tons of money and is effective. So what the hell is wrong with the cesspool on parliament hill in Ottawa aka Fiberals? They do not want an English speaking civil service. they want French to be the predominate language. Why? ask the village idiots in Quebec. Quote
takeanumber Posted June 20, 2004 Report Posted June 20, 2004 It saves tons of money and is effective. So what the hell is wrong with the cesspool on parliament hill in Ottawa aka Fiberals? They do not want an English speaking civil service. they want French to be the predominate language. Why? ask the village idiots in Quebec. Stunning insight. Want a banana? Quote
Michael Hardner Posted June 21, 2004 Report Posted June 21, 2004 Whether or not it's a good idea, it's politically stupid to float this idea now. Not that Harper was going to win a lot of seats in Quebec anyway, but it will cause Quebec voters to wonder whether the Bloc will be able to fight for their interests in Ottawa. Why would the CPC let this out now ? With all that they've NOT been saying it would have been easy to let this go. I don't understand the logic of this. Quote Click to learn why Climate Change is caused by HUMANS Michael Hardner
maplesyrup Posted June 21, 2004 Author Report Posted June 21, 2004 I don't think the Conservatives released their plans, it was a leak about their plans. The Conservative war room is in major despair over this becoming public. Quote An education isn't how much you have committed to memory, or even how much you know. It's being able to differentiate between what you do know and what you don't. Anatole France
Stoker Posted June 21, 2004 Report Posted June 21, 2004 i was watching a local talk show with Norm Spector, and he thinks the Cons did this to gain support with the rest of Canada, by appearing not to be catering to just one province. (ie Quebec) He also went on to say that his could be a kind of chess move to send Quebec itself a message........with the message being, if you want a voice in Ottawa, don't vote Bloc..... Quote The beaver, which has come to represent Canada as the eagle does the United States and the lion Britain, is a flat-tailed, slow-witted, toothy rodent known to bite off it's own testicles or to stand under its own falling trees. -June Callwood-
maplesyrup Posted June 21, 2004 Author Report Posted June 21, 2004 Norman Spector is a former Mulroney aide, and a right wing, Conservatives can do no wrong, political pundit. He would say anything to justify or explain away a Conservative faux pas. The Conservatives didn't release it, it was a leak. Quote An education isn't how much you have committed to memory, or even how much you know. It's being able to differentiate between what you do know and what you don't. Anatole France
Michael Hardner Posted June 21, 2004 Report Posted June 21, 2004 i was watching a local talk show with Norm Spector, and he thinks the Cons did this to gain support with the rest of Canada, by appearing not to be catering to just one province. (ie Quebec) I don't think that would sway too many votes to the CPC that aren't already there. He also went on to say that his could be a kind of chess move to send Quebec itself a message........with the message being, if you want a voice in Ottawa, don't vote Bloc..... Exactly. Those votes would go straight to the Liberals. MS's explanation makes more sense to me. But who would leak something like this ? The mind boggles. Quote Click to learn why Climate Change is caused by HUMANS Michael Hardner
maplesyrup Posted June 21, 2004 Author Report Posted June 21, 2004 It was either a leak or some good investigative journalist at work. Quote An education isn't how much you have committed to memory, or even how much you know. It's being able to differentiate between what you do know and what you don't. Anatole France
noelandmero Posted June 21, 2004 Report Posted June 21, 2004 Or perhaps it's just good buisness and he does not want it to go bankrupt. Quote
Stoker Posted June 21, 2004 Report Posted June 21, 2004 Norman Spector is a former Mulroney aide, and a right wing, Conservatives can do no wrong, political pundit.He would say anything to justify or explain away a Conservative faux pas. The Conservatives didn't release it, it was a leak. Don't go getting your knickers in a twist maplesyrup.... IIRC, your demigod Chairman Moe kinda agreed with Spector....now I'm not 100% since I was in and out of the room......What you should do MS is ask your parents if you can stay up late and watch the midnight repeat of Right On on the new VI...... Quote The beaver, which has come to represent Canada as the eagle does the United States and the lion Britain, is a flat-tailed, slow-witted, toothy rodent known to bite off it's own testicles or to stand under its own falling trees. -June Callwood-
Argus Posted June 21, 2004 Report Posted June 21, 2004 It was either a leak or some good investigative journalist at work. I don't think it was either. The Tories have made no secret that they want an end to special rules which affect ex crown corporations. That includes Air Canada, and also Petro Canada. So some smart guy in the Liberal party realized that, hey, bilingualism is part of this law. Aha! We'll accuse the evil redneck tories of being against bilingualism again! Yaaayy! More grist for our smear campaign!! Yes, one of the features of this absurd law requires Air Canada to have the same bilingualism requirements as the federal government. That means not only does Air Canada have to provide bilingual service everywhere, including Alberta and BC, but it has to operate internally as the federal government does. Ie, all management has to be bilingual. In addition, of course, its required to keep its head office in Montreal, and maintain facilities in Winnipeg and Mississauga. IMO, there is absolutely no justification for this law now that Air Canada is a private company. And given they are teetering on the edge of collapse I'd think even Quebecers would rather they stay afloat than keep up idiotic bilingualism requirements. Eliminating this law would not eliminate bilingual service, just ease the absurd government restrictions. Quote "A liberal is someone who claims to be open to all points of view — and then is surprised and offended to find there are other points of view.” William F Buckley
playfullfellow Posted June 21, 2004 Report Posted June 21, 2004 Heard on the radio this morning that one of the brainiac leaders, think it was Martin, would make it mandatory that all airlines in Canada be bilingual. Now if this isn't one of the most blatant attacks on the west I dont know what is since Westjet is definately the target of this claptrap. I guess if they can't make Air Canada work, they might as well interfere and ruin the other airlines too. This election is getting ridiculous with some of the assinine ideas floating around. Quote
idealisttotheend Posted June 21, 2004 Report Posted June 21, 2004 I think that the Cons are right on this one. The market can decide what areas any given airline should use any given language. There is no reason to make it law that a flight from Vancouver to Calgary on Air Canada must be bilingual. Nor is there a reason why Air Canada be held to any different standard than WestJet. Given the prevelance of French outside Quebec is very low there is no real justification for a bilingual requirement. Quote All too often the prize goes, not to who best plays the game, but to those who make the rules....
Hawk Posted June 21, 2004 Report Posted June 21, 2004 I agree, I travelled to Edmonton about a month ago and had to take a puddle jumper from Lethbridge to Calgary, then from Calgary to Edmonton... there was NOBODY on the flight that were French yet we had to sit and wait for all the announcements and safety instructions to be said in French... it was interesting the first time you heard it, but after that it is downright irritating and pointless x.x Hey why dont we all be like Quebec and demand special status, then make ourselves English-only and vandalize and harrass any French in the West =p Quote The only thing more confusing than a blonde is a Liberal Check this out - http://www.republicofalberta.com/ - http://albertarepublicans.org/ "Those who make peaceful revolution impossible will make violent revolution inevitable." - John F. Kennedy (1917 - 1963)
playfullfellow Posted June 22, 2004 Report Posted June 22, 2004 Hey why dont we all be like Quebec and demand special status, then make ourselves English-only and vandalize and harrass any French in the West =p We have more class than that and have better things to do with our lives. Quote
Boydfish Posted June 22, 2004 Report Posted June 22, 2004 there was NOBODY on the flight that were French yet we had to sit and wait for all the announcements and safety instructions to be said in French... You must not have been flying WestJet. When I've flown with them, they treat the french like the joke that it is. The last time, the cheif steward, as he plunked the tape in, asked that if there is a french speaker on board, could they please confirm that he's putting the right tape in? Everybody laughed. There simply isn't a french presence in BC, so trying to pretend there is just makes the french look foolish out here. Quote
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