Question for Canadian forumites: "Merry Christmas" illegal?

[brodski]

If the specific phrase "Merry Christmas" is banned wouldn't that make the publication of the statute which banned it illegal? Why am I imagining John Cleese telling nobody to stone anyone until he blows have is whistle, even if they do say "merry Christmas".

 

[Praktik]

Sounds like you found the Canadian version of the Christmas Warrior. I didn't know we exported those - would you like more?

These guys are the Christmas Warriors of the North: http://www.proudtobecanadian.ca/

There has always been southward-tilt to the way Canadians look at politics, I think that's just due to the gravitational influence of a cultural superpower guiding Canadian opinion... this is how over the last few decades we have seen the importation of some issues like controversy over the census - which was unheard of here - but imported when it became a big deal in America.

These guys are the Canadians that wish they were born in Texas. (and I find that "proud to be canadian" self-styling to be very ironic given their clear wish to be more like America)

Basically the same War on Christmas crap that act on an aging demographic frightened at societal change affects us too - we also have a cohort of aging boomers confronted with a dynamic, muliracial, multi-relgious, multi-sexual society and clinging to shreds of a Golden Age that never was to comfort them as they clutch their pearls at night.

Again, I think the fact the War on Christmas is a cultural phenomenon in the states has encouraged its spreading northward - there aren't too many aspects of American culture that some Canadians somewhere wouldn't like to feel a part of...

 

[Praktik]

The stupidity is strong in these circles - I remember the PTBC link I put in my previous post showing flyers @ christmas that said "happy holidays" - what a damning indictment!

The issue is generalizing your experience to broader society - if I'm a company looking to sell products in cities like Toronto, Ottawa or Montreal with significant Jewish/Muslim/atheist populations, why in the Good Lord's name would I risk alienating anybody who wants to give me $$? These Christianists don't seem to realize that there's a whole lot of people who don't love christ and don't give a damn what people say to each other during the holidays!

 

[Praktik]

duplicate

 

[Dr. Keith]

Is this in any way related to the Canadian folk legend of By-Tor and the Snow Dog?

No, this is more closely related to the Temple of Syrinx, IIRC.

It's only illegal if you fail to post it in both French and English!

I once suggested that a client of mine just not do business in Quebec. It is such a *************** of a province as compared to the rest of Canadia. They ignored me and spent lots of money trying to comply. I don't think they ever turned a profit there.

 

[Praktik]

That is probably good advice: if you want to do business in Quebec and sell products to french people, but you don't want to endure the cost of actually selling your product in french, then you probably shouldn't be doing business there.

As a rule of thumb you would want to be providing goods and services in the languages spoken by the people you are trying to sell to...

 

[Dr. Keith]

That is probably good advice: if you want to do business in Quebec and sell products to french people, but you don't want to endure the cost of actually selling your product in french, then you probably shouldn't be doing business there.

As a rule of thumb you would want to be providing goods and services in the languages spoken by the people you are trying to sell to...

But if you want to do business in Quebec with people who speak English you still have to put it in French.

And the French has to be the prominent language, not just a small translation below the English. Lord help you if the English is in 14 point font but the French is only in 13 point. (As is common when doing multi-lingual labels for other parts of the world as the French tends to have a few more characters after translation.) If they could have just lifted the labels they used in France that would be fine, but no, Quebec is far more protective of the French language than even Parisians.

ETA: And California is very similar in requiring labeling that no one else thinks is important. "This product contains a substance that is known to the Sate of California to cause cancer." Just not in the doses you will be exposed to by using this product, so this label is not needed outside the State of California.

 

[Weak Kitten]

I'd be rooting for the secessionist movement but then the poor Newfies would be all alone and separated from the rest of Canada. Can you imagine what the Newfies might get up to without proper supervision?

 

[Praktik]

Probably what they got up to until 1949..

 

[Elizabeth I]

Thanks, everybody, for allowing me to continue in my quiet superiority.

Just to clarify a few things about the person who made the original claim, because I found the assumptions interesting, although understandable:

She is not old - in fact, in her late twenties. She has an advanced degree and works in biological research. As far as I'm aware, she is not a religious fundamentalist.

She didn't make her statement in an angry or combative or despairing way - just as a matter of fact, like you might say, "It's supposed to rain tomorrow."

 

[The Central Scrutinizer]

A relative of mine has someone visiting from Canada. While we were having dinner together one night, the Canadian visitor said that it is now illegal to say "Merry Christmas" in Canada - that protests by members of non-Christian religions and of other cultural groups had resulted in banning the phrase "Merry Christmas."

While this sounds patently ridiculous to me, please, someone from Canada, confirm how ridiculous it is. I don't want to argue with the guest; I just want the quiet satisfaction of knowing I'm right.

(If this is in the wrong sub-forum, please feel free to report it and have the mods move it somewhere else.)

What do you expect from a country who's most famous citizens are Terrence & Phillip?

 

[LaurelHS]

But if you want to do business in Quebec with people who speak English you still have to put it in French.

And the French has to be the prominent language, not just a small translation below the English. Lord help you if the English is in 14 point font but the French is only in 13 point.

And heaven help you if you own an Italian restaurant and want to put words like "pasta" and "calamari" on the menu.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pastagate

 

[Praktik]

Thanks, everybody, for allowing me to continue in my quiet superiority.

Just to clarify a few things about the person who made the original claim, because I found the assumptions interesting, although understandable:

She is not old - in fact, in her late twenties. She has an advanced degree and works in biological research. As far as I'm aware, she is not a religious fundamentalist.

She didn't make her statement in an angry or combative or despairing way - just as a matter of fact, like you might say, "It's supposed to rain tomorrow."

Sure, but point is she is commenting on an issue driven by that demographic. The fact old pearl-clutchers are bemoaning the loss of a Golden Age that never-was means even young people can sucked into the vortex of BS... "Oh by the way did you hear that there's a War on Christmas??"

 

[dudalb]

Those battles stopped years ago, Alpha Flight defeated both armies while the people were led to safety by Stompin' Tom.

Understand that Logan(Code Name Wolverine) returned to Canada to give Alpha Flight a hand.....

 

[Ryokan]

Sounds like you found the Canadian version of the Christmas Warrior. I didn't know we exported those - would you like more?

We have them in the UK as well. Many of them seem to work for the tabloid press.

Thank baby Jesus my country calls the holiday Yule and not Christ Mass. Even Christians would feel silly claiming there's a War on Yule..

 

[Weak Kitten]

I declare war on Yule! Burn all the logs!

 

[m-n-m]

No, this is more closely related to the Temple of Syrinx, IIRC.



I once suggested that a client of mine just not do business in Quebec. It is such a *************** of a province as compared to the rest of Canadia.

Says the Texan.

 

[Border Reiver]

Understand that Logan(Code Name Wolverine) returned to Canada to give Alpha Flight a hand.....

Mac and Heather just asked him to come up for some good beer and a visit.

 

[porch]

Every December a terrible fight breaks out in Canada between St Santa and the White Witch. Their armies rampage across the frozen wasteland and the Canadians hide in their homes which are built atop trees in their magic forests. So far the battles always end in stalemate, with the exhausted Santa and Witch making angry love atop a pile of dead warriors. But one day the Canadians, led warrior princess Alanis, will find the lost Amulet of Dion in the Temple of Degrassi, and then they will drive the invaders from their icy jungles forever.

Surely you meant Warrior Princess Marg Delahunty?

 

[LaurelHS]

Rob Ford is scared of her.