Nutik sounds the charge for minority rights in Quebec

Speaking to members of the Rotary Club of Westmount at Victoria Hall last week, Nutik, who launched the new party last May, detailed factors he said have led to the loss of anglophone and minority rights in Quebec since the Quiet Revolution in the early 1960s.

Alluding to last year's motion in the House of Commons that recognizes Quebec's population as a nation within Canada, Nutik said, "We at Affiliation Quebec really want to know from Prime Minister Harper exactly where the minorities and anglos of Quebec figure as part of the Quebecois nation.

"We know we live with abrogated rights as a result of Ottawa's acceptance of the use of the notwithstanding clause, as Quebec has used it. But why has it been accepted? Why have we been sold out? Explain to us our place in the Quebecois nation, when Quebec leaders consistently demonstrate so clearly our devalued status in the nation of Quebec

"We have been unceremoniously traded by both Ottawa Liberals and Conservatives, for the soft nationalist votes they so desperately need to cheat their way to majority government," Nutik added.

"We, minorities and anglos — we stand on guard for thee, oh Canada — while you have abandoned us, your steadfast sons and daughters, in the lion's den of Quebec. Shame on you in Ottawa — we deserve better — if only we could demand it — and that is why Affiliation Quebec has been founded … We are the front troops of Canadian national survival."

Referring to the Quebec Community Groups Network, a provincial anglophone interest umbrella organization, which some observers suggest could end up taking on a greater role representing Quebec's anglophones, Nutik said, "The QCGN used to represent the interests of the 25 per cent of Quebec anglos living outside of the Montreal area.

"They have moved recently to new offices in Montreal from Quebec City, now, God help us, to represent all of us anglos in Quebec since the demise, in its last form, of Alliance Quebec. If you didn't know it, the QCGN has the $3 million of Heritage Canada funding to hold empty public consultations, and to write nice reports full of sound and fury, signifying nothing."

Nutik, who attended one of the only high-profile meetings the QCGN has ever organized, said of the public consultation held in Montreal, "I walked out of that meeting last April realizing that Quebec's minorities and anglos needed a real address — a proper voice to register their views and concerns — and that the political agenda needed to be refocused. QCGN cannot do that." During the following month, he founded Affiliation Quebec.

Nutik's speech was heard by many local Rotarians, as well as members from other clubs — including one from Mexico — who were present that day. Several members of the press were there, but as Nutik pointed out in his remarks, there was none from Montreal’s Gazette. Le Devoir was represented, and it ran an article and photo of the event the following day.

The presentation was introduced by Rotarian Stanley Baker, who mentioned Nutik’s career highlights, included his unsuccessful bid for Westmount mayor in 1983, as well as for city councillor in 1984 and 2006. However, as Baker was quick to point out, John Diefenbaker lost many elections before he became Canada’s prime minister.