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Dear Alex,

You are correct that "je me souviens" is the new Quebec motto which was adopted by the French separatists when they came to power for the first time in the mid 1970's.

The line however comes from a native French Canadian poem which is very favorable to the British and their monarchy; I remember (je me souviens) that although I'm born under the fleur-de-lys, I have prospered under the rose. The 'fleur-de-lys' of course was the symbol of the French Royals and the 'Rose' that of the English monarchy. In other words the first line of the poem's opening salvo states (roughly translated); the French (fleur-de-lys) were lousy colonizers and their European Masonic Republican revolution destroyed society and the Catholic church, but under the British (rose), we have been able to grow and prosper here in the new world. It has always been an inigma to us how this line from a pro-British monarchy poem became the motto for the French separatist cause.

You are correct, and the former Canadian Governor General (Monarch's representative in Canada) Ray Hnatyshyn delivered his first innauguration speach in Canada's two official languages: English and French, but then stunned the combined houses (Commons and Senate) when he also spoke in Ukrainian . He wanted to make the point that the monarchy was for all the citizens of the Dominion, not just those of Bristish ancestry.

You are correct again, but this was not always the case. In fact, the symbol of the 'maple leaf' (and the word Canada ) have their origins in what is now francophone Quebec's St-Laurence Valley area (Southern Quebec). These were in fact very patriotic symbols of the francophone colonists who viewed themselves as a distinct 'nation' in North America. They became particularly strong after the French revolution when the Royals were executed and new symbols of their 'Frenchness' in North America were needed.

Fast forward a couple of generations, and the maple leaf and the very word 'Canada' where usurped to become the name and symbols of ALL Canadians - from the Atlantic to the Pacific.

The French Canadian separatists of course now reject the symbol of the 'maple leaf' as being too Anglo colonial (and/or 'ethnic inclusive') and have instead opted for the 'fleur-de-lys'.

Hritzko

In a round-a-bout way, this all kind of highlights what I consider a serious problem. We have all the monarchists looking for the glories of the past, including past social systems. I think there is an element in the Russian Church that wants to re-establish a 19th century Russian theocracy. Folks, no wonder Christianity is losing out to secularism and Islam. We need to live in the present and spread Christ's message TODAY - in this world, not yesterday's! We keep speaking to the past and the present passes us by. Yes, there is much in tradition that should be preserved. But as the current Pope indicated when asked about returning to the old Roman Rite Mass, you can't turn back the clock.

"Prospered under the Rose?"
Must have been some kind of British propaganda.
The French have only been repressed and trampled upon under the British in Canada.
Stephanos I

Vive la France, Vive la Quebec libre! Je me souviens!

British propaganda ? - NO ! - But the French Canadian separatists would like you to believe this.

Alex is correct to state that there were significant numbers of French Canadians who believed in the Dominion of Canada and were monarchists at the time that this poem was composed. In fact the poem was composed by a 100% pure Roman Catholic Canadien Francais in the late 19th century when many of them were openly pro British Monarchists. Remember, the French Revolution's anti-Catholicism is what cemented the francophone North American colonists to American Loyalists (pro-British) who sought refuge in British North American (North of the 49th parallel) now known as (the Dominion) of Canada.

The French Canadians viewed the American and European Republicans in the same light (ie: anti-Catholic). The British Crown pounced on this sentiment and decided to protect the Catholic faith of the French colonials. This is pretty much how things were until the second half of the 20th century, or maybe still exists. A recent poll conducted by FOX News in Quebec indicated that 64% of French Canadian teenagers consider the USA as an "Evil global agressor" as compared to about 32% in other English parts of the country (BTW - 32% is probably about the same level in the USA , in other words no higher).

The myth of 'French Canadian oppression' and the origins of the term JE ME SOUVIENS can be read midway through this link.

Je me souviens - The origins (pro or anti British ?) [m2ltd.com]

In any event, next time you see a Quebec car speeding through your area (French people are always in a rush ), honk or yell and tell them you love them .

Hritzko

ByzanTN,

There are far more Republicans in Australia than Canada. In fact, they have already had at least one national referendum on the matter, and almost succeeded.

As I mentioned earlier, the Canada's were established in the late 18th century with the primary goal of creating an anti-Republican 'space' in North America. Today the countries have become so similar that when Canadian says they are 'anti-USA', it means they are against the current policies of the government in power, and not the fact that the country is a Republic. So, if 40% of Canadians say they are now anti-USA, it means that this is the percentage of people who would like to see a change of government in Washington, not a different style of government.

However, Canadians remain faithfull to their British style of government, including a monarchy. If for no reason other than the fact that the monarchy has historically bridged the divide between the two founding peoples of Canada - Catholics and Protestants.

But even immigrants to Canada adopt the the monarchists view, even sometimes those who are very pro Republicans.

For example, there was a famous Roman Catholic Irish Republican who advocated in the mid 19th century violent revolution for his peoples. He was forced to emigrate to the United States where his views did not change. After emigrating to Montreal he changed 180 degrees and no longer believed in violent revolution but rather peace and evolution under a monarchy. By 1867 he had become a 'founding father of Confederation' when he signed the BNA (British North American Act). For more info:

Thomas D\'Arcy McGee - former revolutinary turned monarchist in Canada [mysteriesofcanada.com]

Hritzko

PS: he is buried in his crypt within 200 feet of the Greek Catholic (Byzantine) section of Montreal's (& Canada's) largest Catholic Cemetery.

Completely off the topic:

I recall a comedy routine somewhere about Mr. Hnatyshyn's first meeting with the Queen that went something like:

"Your Majesy, my name is Hnatyshyn."

"Bless you," the Queen replied, "can We get you a tissue."

Yours,

hal

Too funny! Some of those names do look like typos. Have you ever wondered if it's just another way the Ukrainians can bug the rest of us?

Dear ByzanTN:

We tend to have that effect, don't we.

Yours,

hal