Last week we wrote a post about Quebec’s aggressive new anti-homophobia law, which takes as its target any group or individual morally or religiously opposed to the practice of homosexuality. Well, it appears Quebec is also making acceptance of homosexuality a requirement for immigration.
According to a recent article in The Toronto Star, new immigrants to Quebec are now required to take an hour-and-a-half course on Quebec’s “common values” and sign a declaration agreeing to abide by those values.
And what are those common values? Namely, respect for diversity, particularly, sexual diversity.
The Toronto Star reports:
“’We’re open to diversity,’ explained the instructor, Anne Martin, a slim woman with an easy smile, referencing everyone from youth punks to the handicapped to different cultural groups.
“‘And also to homosexuality,’ she added, this time looking serious, her reading glasses perched at the end of her nose. Gays enjoy the same rights as anyone else, she said. ‘It’s also proof of our diversity.’”
The Immigration and Cultural Communities Minister, Yolande James, explained the new policy by pointing out that immigrating to Quebec “is not a right, it’s a privilege.” She went on,
“The person who wants to join Quebec society should be well informed of Quebec values.”
The question this raises, however, is whose values are actually being taught under the auspices of “common values.” And who is determining these values?