Cymbria Lions Club, Rustico PEI, think about children not money
By The Fiery Independent, NJN Network, Charlottetown, PEI, Canada – By the Fiery Independent
Dear Lions.
You are great neighbours and many of you friends; however you don’t seem to understand that your pecuniary interests are going against the good of the children of this community.
Having a French school with a community component is not going to harm whatever activities you do. The activities and groups that would come to the French school would not be the same as the ones you entertain in your building.
We need our kids to live and learn to feel accepted and welcomed in their own community. They should be proud of who they are, that is Acadians. This means being of French descent and culture.
The Francophone students and families belong to a true Acadian and Francophone community. They must stay in relation with it at the local, regional, national and global level. Only then will we have the best chance to succeed in maintaining our language and culture.
The necessity to establish minority-language schools in distinct physical locations stems from the true purpose of section 23 of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. That purpose is to redress past injustices and provide the official language minority with equal access to quality education in its own language, in circumstances where community development will be enhanced.
There is room for a French language community centre and the Lions Centre in this community. This was the case before. What did the Lions do before the taxpayers’ dollars went into their pockets? You knew that money was destined to enhance and develop the French Acadian communities not the Lions Club. You existed and still did the same activities you do today.
So bottom line, stop thinking about money and start thinking about who you hail from and the good of all of the residents of the community. Think particularly of the children who will lead this community tomorrow.
Take a long hard look at what motivates you to act the way you do. Ask yourself if you what you really want is truly for the good of the community.
I rest my case, for now.
End of part one. See tomorrow for “Lions Club is missing too much”
Proud
Finally! Someone tells it like it really is! Way to go, Fiery Independent! Looking forward to the next installment …..
Reader
Bravo!! Fiery Independent, I agree with you when you say that, “The Francophone students and families belong to a true Acadian and Francophone community. They must stay in relation with it at the local, regional, national and global level. Only then will we have the best chance to succeed in maintaining our language and culture.”
Might I add that, “We will not be driven out so easily this time, as were our ancestors.”
Curious
Despite the fact that it temporarily houses a French school and the Conseil de Rustico, despite the fact that it is based in a community with strong francophone roots and a vibrant French-speaking community, the Cymbria Lions Club seems to be almost militantly anglophone. Not even bilingual signage. Why would that be?
proud to be french in Rusico
This is how most of us feel on the issue in Rustico.Mme Bertram,I hope you’re paying attention!
Still caring and still struggling
Someone who really cares and struggles from Rustico still really cares and is still really struggling. While I was happy to congratulate Dave Blacquière and his village commission on their proactive vision, finding opportunity in the midst of challenges and their strong view to the future, I am utterly and unequivocally ashamed of the behaviour of the members of the Cymbria Lions’ Club. Who could have dreamed they could stoop so low? It there nothing that they won’t stoop to? This is unbelievable.
Rustico is a beautiful area and a community with tonnes of potential to become even better than it already is. How can anyone say that growth and culture isn’t good for a community, not in it’s best interests??? What kind of person holds that value? It’s a wonder and probably nothing short of a miracle that any remnant of the French language and culture remains with such rampant zenophobia that is smearing the pages of these comment boards. Yet, there are more—so much more than mere remnants that remain.
An indominable sprirt—a spirt of courage and perserverance remain strong among the Acadian and Francophone population of Rustico; it will guide them well as they seek justice for their children and their children’s children. This community has struggled to maintain and—in some cases—regain the language that so many individuals in the Rustico area have unfortunately lost (through little to no fault of their own, as there were powers bigger than they at play—and obviously still are …).
And now, a Lions’ Club is striving vehemently to stomp it out. Who could have imagined such hostility from such seemingly service-minded gentlemen? Evidently, I don’t know the answer to that question, but to read their comments, one would have to imagine some serious and deep-rooted hatred in their hearts. The Club is clearly not a fit environment for the children who are being schooled there.
The Charter of Rights and Freedoms is there to protect Canadian minorities. The Francophone minority throughout most of Canada, like all minorities have been disadvantaged and disfavoured for much of our social, political and legal history. Article 23, and what is more, Article 24, enshrined in the Charter of Rights and Freedoms, serves not only to equalize the playing field and provide equal status for both French and English in Canada, but also to provide legal recourse or remedy when this equality is not recognized by public institutions (government departments, agencies, crown corporations, etc.) and acted appropriately upon.
It is particulary difficult for individuals and families to preserve their language and culture in seemingly hostile environments. Comments like those suggesting that the Francophones in Rustico move to Québec serve as a good example. The reality is that Rustico was settled by French-speaking Acadians in 1763. That was five long years before the Britsh left the original French settlement (Port-la-Joye) to found Charlttetown. Rustico is not only one of the oldest communities on the Island (other than First Nations), but it is one of the most historic French and Acadian communities in all of Nouvelle Acadie (Atlantic Canada).
Did everyone who is so against this proposed cultural centre know where they were settling? The foresightedness of PEI’s French language school board in adopting the concept of the centre scolaire-communautaire, like Dave Blaquière’s vision, is to be applauded. The community members who are working toward it—well instead of a helping had from their local service club is getting a slap in the face. That’s quite a thank-you for the hundreds of thousands of dollars poured into their cofferes over the years.
PEI is now perhaps the only place in Canada where the population of the official language minority is actually growing. Those who hate it so much, should just embrace change. The community is finally pushing back the tides of assimilation. That is to be celebrated. If this population is growing and North Rustico is planning with a view to provide affordable housing options to attract new families and build the tax base through growth and volume rather than hikes in rates, I see both development projects as a winning combination. Lingusitic duality and cultural diversity makes cities, towns and communities more vibrant and attractive to new residents. Maintaining vibrancy is crucial to the survival of rural PEI and we will ALL be the beneficaries.
Interested myself
I would suggest that Lions Internations take some interest indeed ; a little more interest might do a lot of people some good.
Embarassé
Goulous ! Honteux ! C’est vraiment dommage, lea position prise par ces Lions ici…
Reader
I disagree. In order for us to take back the Island you have to start with the people in power, the politicians.
They are the ones with the true power as they make up the government. Stephen Pate, I will support you in your run for political office.
proud to be french in Rusico
Anyone who has attended a Christmas concert at St.Augustin have probably noticed the seniors and grandparents in the audience.They sit there in the well over crowded inadequate gym with tears of joy and pride for these wonderful french speaking kids.You can tell the grandparents of the new kintergarten and preschool aged kids by the look of sheer surprise and elation on their faces when they hear the little ones sing in perfect french .Many of the seniors in the area grew up immersed themselves in french and can still speak and understand the language.How can anyone see a new centre scholaire communautaire being a detriment to this community?
Agree with proud
Proud of their grandchildren is very true. Over crowded is also very true. I fear for people’s lives and have overheard more than one person comment that the Fire Inspector should be called when this is happening. When someone is injured will be too late. But the Lions will be there to help when disaster strikes!!!
Mother from Rustico
Gulf Shore has a multi purpose room that is stuffed with parents grandparents etc, for concerts too and they school has to put the concert on twice to accomodate the number of people attending, so that isnt just a problem at the French school it is other places too. I do not believe that the french school needs a new cultural centre also, cant they make do with the space they will have from the new school, all other schools have to, is it really fair to demand the cultural centre. And as for not having French signage, when you go to Quebec a fully french speaking province, do you see signs in english? So why would there be french signage in a english speaking community?
Rights are rights
Rustico is not an exclusively English speaking majority. In fact, Rustico would still be predominately French-speaking with but a smattering of English speakers had English not been jammed down our throats so many years ago. An important part of article 23 is is remedial character, that is, its ability to “correct” past wrongs. Some wrongs can never be completely corrected.
As for Québec and all those people who seem so bent on bringing it into the equation, article 23 is in application there, too. It protects the rights of the English-speaking minority and corrects linguistic and cultural past wrongs there, like everywhere in Canada. The people who are speaking out so strongly in opposition are the very reason that this Charter must exist AND the very reason that cases must unfortunately sometimes be brought before the cours.
Curious
Mother from Rustico: While I agree with Rights are Rights and it would make cultural and economic sense to have bilingual signage in Rustico (remember all those tourists from Quebec and New Brunswick), I was referring to the absence of bilingual signage in the Ecole St Augustin/Lions Club. Difficult to persuade children they are in a French context when the Club is so militantly English. It could not even be bothered to write its letter to the francophone parents in anything but English.
And, somewhat off topic, I noticed that even in the heart of built-up Paris, the schools still have playgrounds. Seems to be something that kids really need, don’t you think?
Father from Rustico
Dear Mother from Rustico,The Rutico that I live in at worst could be called bi-lingual and therefore should have all french signage on building that houses Centre Scholaire Communautaire,Therefore you are making a good case for why a new centre is needed.
safety minded in Rustico
dear mom ,Your last two sentences make a case for why we need a new Centre Scholaire Communautaire in Rustico!
Mother from Rustico
My comments were stated to send it home that we do not live in a french speaking community, does the school not have a playground, i thought i seen one there, and the Lions Club should have french signage i thought you meant something else, as for french signage for tourists, maybe they should learn some english before they come as i would do if i was going to a french city, english is the majority language that is a fact right or wrong, should we have japanese signs too, the Japanese are a big part of opur tourism too, are we expected to create signs for all different languages, wher will it end?
Curious
I believe some 90,000 French-speaking tourists visit the Island each year on their way to the Maggies. What would it be worth to have just 10% of them visit Rustico for a day or two because they know they would be made welcome? BTW, there is lots of (private) Japanese signage in Cavendish and even in Charlottetown. But the real issue is that Rustico is not an English-speaking community. The majority are anglophone, sure, but a significant percentage are francophone. A larger group, maybe even a majority are of Acadian stock whose families lost French a generation or two back. Many of the current generation would like to reclaim their language. Why would you try to deny them their constitutional rights? Rights that have been reaffirmed by the Supreme Court.
Mother from Rustico
I am not trying to deny anyone their right to speak or be educated in French period. We just have to remember that it must also make financial sense too. Why would i want to take away a right that also applies to my family. As for families who have lost their french like my own, hopefully would not expect to be treated differently when it comes to education 50,000/child is that fair?
concerned acadian
(Mr.)Stephen Pate,what planet did you come from anyway.You a politician,I’m glad you declined that nomination.Maybe you should be a senator with Mike Duffy and join the ranks of critics.Did you take a survey of the women or parents of Rustico to find out how many are oppsed to Carolyn Bertram or the Cymbria Lions Club.I don’t think so.
As for Rendezvous Rustico,what do you really know about it?Did you do any VOLUNTEERING at it.As for where it was held,I believe all of the Cymbria Lions Club property and building was well used and appreciated.At what cost to Rendezvous.ZERO dollars I believe.Check with Le Conseil De Rustico and find out what profits were made then.Now check with the present VOLUNTEERS and see that their is a difference now.I would say a profit.I wonder why???
As for the building,when were all you critics in it last.Ask the staff who are their all day for the conditions of the washrooms and the kitchen.Has any kid got lost because the sign was not in French??? Is a couple of French signs worth 2.5 million dollars.The bar is NEVER open when the kids are in school,so where did the drunks come from???? Lets get REAL.Now you should ask the staff if the kitchen was ever used for school purpuses,such as a hot meal.I believe it has.
And by the way have any of the critics been in the Lions Club on Monday nights.Guess what ,YES their are FIDDLE lessons being thought for at least two hours.Who PROFITS from that,and yes you should drop in on Saturday mornings,guess what again,yes their are DANCING lessons.These I believe are all sponsored by Le CONSEIL DE RUSTICO through government funding.Who PROFITS from all that.I bet its not the Linos Club.
I believe it’s time that the Conseil de Rustico chairman and the French School Board trustee step up to the plate and call a spade a spade .Oh,maybe it’s the same person doing both positions,could that be a conflict of interest.
You can undo a lot of wrongs and mistakes before it’s to late The friendly community is being split apart by a very small minority.Lets get a vote from all the parents with kids in the school.
The Lions club is not all money,money.It’s for co-operation in the community.
concerned acadian
To bad you only could one question!!!!!!!!