Wednesday, May 16, 2012

Education policy in Canada...

...consists of riot cops sicked on unarmed teachers, parents, and students should these cohorts object to the state raising the cost of education. 







And today at UQAM, students march in masks against the scabs in their ranks. Maybe this is getting way out of hand, but then what do you call beating students in the street and confronting their parents and professors with truncheons?

I'd say the students are learning quite a bit more sociology and political science now than they would in their lectures. I particularly like this:
Courchesne told reporters this morning the meeting demonstrated that the student leaders have actually hardened their position on tuition hikes and she feels they are leaving no room open for compromise.
Yes, well Mme. Courchesne, your police beat and tear gassed them: Why the hell do you think they'd still be open to any sort compromise?

I don't blame the last Quebec education minister for resigning. I'd want nothing to do with this either.

Canada's war on the future continues apace.

9 comments:

Beijing York said...

The brutal tactics are inspiring parents and teachers to stand in solidarity and protect our youth.

I think Charest relied to much on English-language media when dealing with the protests - thinking that the citizens of Quebec would rail angrily at the students and would side with his government. I hope he's kicked to the curb ASAP.

I'm hoping more and more young and old start to recognize that these brave youth and their stance are a catalyst for some serious reflection of where our country is headed.

Boris said...

I hope so too BY. It's interesting to watch this crisis unfold. The students have demonstrated the only way to get listened to is to go in heavy and be willing take casualities. The students appear to have hardened in the face of brutality and this may even bring down the Charest government. The crisis also tells the rest of the country what is necessary to actually challenge governments like Charest or Harper's.

opit said...

It sure isn't showing any recognition of supplying a consumer good increasingly irrelevant to the demands of accelerating knowledge accumulation.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UNLC9r096eo
A little research on YouTube about the advantages of individual programs as envisaged by TED should be revelatory.

robert said...

college is not work. students who strike are not the same as employees who strike. no student who continues classes is a scab. they may or may not share the politics of those who choose to not attend. harrassment to the point of threatened violence is dishonourable to the cause. there is a point, and it is being crossed, where public goodwill will be used up and the agitators will be well on the wrong side.

Unknown said...

The striking students are doing what they are doing to ensure a better future for everyone. Any student unable to recognize that is either self absorbed, oblivious or just plain stupid, and frankly they got what they deserved.

There will always be a subset of the population that is too stupid, aggressive and authoritarian to "get" why things like this happen. Fuck 'em.

Steve said...

students are taking one in the head for us.

CK said...

BY, of course Premier Johnny-boy would rely mostly on English language media--Quebec's English language media are all cheerleaders for the Harpercons, same as in ROC.

I never thought I'd say this, but as much as I hate La Marois and her shrilly voice and Franco-fascism, I'm leaning toward voting Parti-Quebecois in the next election.

CK said...

...this may even bring down the Charest government

Premier Johnny-Boy has called for 2 by-elections next month--one in Argenteuil, a riding between the Lower Laurentians and the Outaouais. It could be a bel wether riding. The other, in LaFontaine, North Eastern Tip of Montreal, had been a Liberal stronghold. Could be interesting to watch and see if he loses both of 'em. Contrary to the pollsters, I have a feeling that Johnny-Boy could lose both of 'em.

Now there's a rumour that our general election could be held later this summer/early Fall. It has been said that Johnny-Boy would want an election before Charbonneau inquiry actually starts. Also, Raymond Bachand, Johnny-Boy's finance minister has said that only an election can solve the student protesting. Sometimes I wonder if Johnny-Boy is engineering his own debate at this time?

harebell said...

Robert
I have great sympathy with your point of view. I have organised and taken part in workplace action both as a student and as an employee.
If someone doesn't listen to the protests of the picket then they can continue into work or the class or where-ever. They will do so with cat-calls ringing in their ears and the knowledge that their fellows will never forget their actions.
What was inexcusable was that they should be treated violently in any manner. On any picket lines that I served on that was a cardinal rule. Excuses like the "cops do it," or the "employers do it," were immaterial; we didn't sink to their level.
The fact that they benefited from our actions was also immaterial, our action was on behalf of all involved, and in a closed shop that included even those who crossed picket lines.
You don't change a situation by imitating it, you do so by acting the way you want others to act.