Earlier this week, when it was reported Élections Québec was telling polling staff to only speak French with voters unless they have a right to English education or are indigenous, it gave Aaron Rand a feeling of déjà vu.
Back in 2019, the CJAD broadcaster and co-host of The Corner Booth caused a stir when he created the Historic Quebec Anglo T-shirt in response to the CAQ government saying anglos would only have English-language access to provincial government services provided they were part of the “historic English community.”
A year later, he targeted the OQLF over their Bonjour-Hi flap with another T-shirt.
With anglophones feeling under fire once more, Rand decided to bring back the Historic Quebec Anglo shirts with Quebecers heading to the polls on Oct. 5.
“I think there’s real anger and frustration over this, not just among anglos, but among most Quebecers who see this as an unnecessary and insulting move,” Rand said.
“Given the controversy stemming from the voter information card controversy, and now the directive by Élections Québec to polling workers to speak French-only unless you can prove you are entitled to service in English as an ‘historic anglo,’ it brought back memories.
“Simon-Jolin Barrette, who was then the Immigration minister and responsible for the language file, said a new language policy would make all ministries and organizations offer public services almost entirely in French, but that nothing would change for the ‘historic English minority,’ who would always be able to get every service in their own language.
“That was the first time the phrase had come up from what I can remember before Bill 96 was introduced, and we all know how things have gone since then.”
Rand said on Instagram a new batch of Historic Quebec Anglo shirts will be available next week.
Editor’s Picks