Quebec town may scrap immigrant code

Herouxville, Quebec a small farming community, population 1,300 tucked away northeast of metropolitan Montreal seem to have thrown in the towel when it comes to immigrants and reasonable accommodation. 

Herouxville in 2007 passed a controversial code for immigrants who do not pass the cultural muster of the this small quebec community. 

This immigrant code outlined that though all are welcome, immigrants must abide by certain indices of the town code such as no burqas, women are to be treated equally, honour killings are not to be tolerated etc.  Certainly items that are clearly stated in the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms already, but lost on some immigrants who still adhere to their countries religious and cultural norms, contrary to Canadian Laws.

Once this code was passed by the citizens of Herouxville, town councilor Andre Drouin acting on the citizen voters behalf became the conduit of both ridicule and admiration the world over by politicians, media and the public worldwide.

Today, Herouxville that small community and it's former spokesperson Andre Drouin made a difference not just in Canada but the world over.

Learning the consequences for failing to heed to the warnings brought on by a small group of citizens, warnings though plain as day to everyone, but needed to be put to task in Canadian consulates the world over. Both the Quebec and Canadian Government outlined rules and norms for Immigrants to follow, before they made a decision if Canada and it's culture is right for their beliefs and customs. 

Though many politicians and media feel this unfairly targeted all immigrants, the rules and norms for years had already been spelled out in every corner of Canadian society already.  It is just that media events in the last decade showed that some cultures are adverse to Canada's Charter of Rights and Freedoms that Canadians fought and died for to protect those who cannot protect themselves.

Today, Herouxville citizens it seems have abandoned Mr. Drouin and prefer to let sleeping dogs lie.

Mr. Drouin is left to his own devices to pass down alone what the citizens once demanded as they turn the other cheek.

Some may gleefully finger point that they have won and Mr. Drouin as the lone wolf in all this has lost, but one should consider this,  though many revile Mr. Drouin, it should be noted, Gay rights, women and children's rights, stopping racism and caste distinction are paramount in this former soldier and peacekeeper who has witnessed first hand as a soldier the seeds of despair brought on by world governments who profess equality for all, yet do not practice what they preach.  Some cultures in Canada if they had their way would strip Canadians of these hard fought rights.

Today, Mr. Drouin while suggesting Quebec halt immigration to the Quebec legislative committee, media neglect to mention that until economic recovery is back on tracks, Canadians are fully employed, immigration should be curtailed. 

National Polls suggest Mr. Drouin is correct and is repeating what the majority of Canadians demand as well, since Canadians who participated in the National Polls cannot be identified individually,  Mr. Drouin is a recognizable face who is front and centre in the media.  While Mr. Drouin will garner negative attention for saying this, is Mr. Drouin only speaking what the majority of Canadians have already demanded?

As Herouxville citizens along with the new mayor Bernard Thompson ponder whether to abandon what they started three years ago, Andre Drouin is left to campaign what he feels is in the best interest of Canada and Canadians.

Never think the sword is mightier than the pen, when a pen is what made a difference in Canadian politics, brought on by a politician who only followed the wishes of his constituents and is now left to fall on his sword.

Et Tu, brute!