Toula Drimonis

The photo of Sarah-Maude Beauchesne on the cover of Elle Québec has stirred up some strikingly backwards criticism.

The Premier cancelled a desperately needed expansion project — one that he previously committed to, and has been seven years in the making — “because Dawson offers instruction in English.”

The barring of Samian from a Granby music festival has prompted a debate about what language(s) are really in danger in this province.

“Humans don’t have an unlimited capacity for empathy. But it’s worth examining whether there are patterns that stand out, a propensity for always focusing on some victims and some crises, while ignoring others.”

“While I sympathize with some of the (peaceful) protesters’ grievances, the convoy objectively remains a movement led by questionable people with questionable motives. Most of all, it’s been a dangerous distraction from the bigger picture.”

“The cops have been nothing but friendly to us.”

“A basic understanding of mitigation efforts vs. hospital capacity seems to go over the heads of protesters who decided that we should stop our collective efforts to protect the most vulnerable during a global pandemic just because they’ve had enough.”

“You can’t participate in a rally organized by openly anti-Semitic and Islamophobic people and feign shock when Nazi flags show up. I mean, what’s next? You show up at a library and there are books?”

We spoke with Muslim Quebecers on the solidarity they’ve seen across the country, but also about being ‘othered,’ the damage done by Bill 21 and the rise of the far right.