Red Coalition

Red Coalition files human rights complaints against Quebec on Bill 96

By Chelsey St-Pierre
The Suburban

The Red Coalition, an advocacy organization dedicated to protecting the rights and freedoms of all individuals in Quebec and Canada, headed by Joel DeBellefeuille, has officially filed a complaint with the Human Rights and Youth Rights Commission (CDPDJ) against the Quebec government. The complaint addresses the widespread discriminatory impact of Bill 96, which according to its description is “An Act Respecting French, the Official and Common Language of Québec”.

In speaking with The Suburban, DeBellefeuille stated that Bill 96 is a catalyst for discrimination. “I don’t think they saw this coming. They thought the notwithstanding clause protected them but human rights is a whole other angle. Ultimately what the Red Coalition wants to see is the end result that organizations and other constitutional lawyers want to see struck down or modified to not impede on our human rights,” he said.

The Red Coalition highlighted seven violations of the Quebec Charter of Human Rights and Freedoms in its motion including: Section 10 — the right to full and equal recognition and exercise of human rights without discrimination based on language, race, ethnic or national origin, and other protected grounds, Section 10.1 — the right to live free from linguistic discrimination or racial harassment, Section 11 — the prohibition against distributing or publishing discriminatory notices, symbols or signs, Section 12 -the right to access goods and services ordinarily offered to the public without discrimination, Section 13 — the prohibition against stipulating discriminatory clauses in juridical acts, Section 25 — the right to be treated with humanity and the respect due to every person, Section 49 — the right to obtain cessation of unlawful interference with any recognized right or freedom and compensation for moral or material prejudice.

According to the legal action filed with the CDPD, Quebec has 30 days to respond. The Coalition’s motion states: “Since its enactment on June 1st, 2022, Bill 96 has sparked numerous conflicts within Quebec society, exacerbating tensions between the Francophone community, English-speaking residents, and those whose first language is neither French nor English. The law has led to an environment where discrimination is not only tolerated but effectively sanctioned, causing significant harm to individuals and communities across the province.” DeBellefeuille told The Suburban that the CAQ “deliberately and preemptively used the notwithstanding clause to pass this law. They decided to invoke the right to use that clause to put this forth. Uncontested for five years, they feel they are ‘untouchable’ but what they did not predict is someone like me and the RC coming at them via the human rights tribunal.”

DeBellefeuille says this is not a French, Anglo, non-Anglo or non-French issue. He is adamant that the discriminatory aspect affects people on all sides of this law that causes a division opening up persons from each language group to discrimination based on the division caused. “My fight is not one-sided to appease the Anglo community because the French community are also being lumped into the ‘names’ and subsequently being discriminated against as a result of this law. The CAQ government, through creation of this law, created an environment of hate and animosity, online, in schools and in the general public. It amplified the level of hate related to language laws.”

When asked what his concerns were in taking on this file, placing himself in the centre of an amplified longstanding battle, DeBellefeuille responded that “Rome was not built in a day and I have extreme patience when it comes to fighting the good fight.” n

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“Beyond the shadows” tackles Quebec racism

Local Journalism Initiative / The Suburban / July 19, 2024 / Beyond the Shadows: Confronting systemic racism, Joel DeBellefeuille, Red Coalition

By Joel Ceausu
The Suburban

Call it a tutorial, rallying cry, guidebook or roadmap, but it’s certainly an eye-opener. It’s also necessary, says Joel DeBellefeuille, executive director of the Red Coalition anti-racism lobby group, and one of Quebec’s leading voices in the fight against racial discrimination.

Beyond the Shadows: Confronting systemic racism in Quebec, is a 55-page e-book (available on Amazon) penned by DeBellefeuille to highlight what has long been in the shadows: the causes, impacts, enablers, and obstacles to the eradication of systemic racism.

DeBellefeuille takes pains to highlight important factors, such as the provincial government’s denial of the very existence of systemic racism in Quebec; blocking permanent residents from becoming police officers; lack of specificity in public union collective agreements when dealing with racial discrimination complaints; and finally, the inability of the Commission des droits de la personne et des droits de la jeunesse (CDPDJ) to hear complaints from unionized employees.

These all contribute to a climate where change is sclerotic at best, he told The Suburban. “Descriptive actions for collective agreements and the CDPDJ accepting unionized complaints; these two things alone will change the face of racism and discrimination in the province.”

He says the timing is important for disseminating this information, to give people a broader understanding of these issues “that many people inside Quebec and most outside Quebec are not aware of. We need to bring this to the attention of everybody and highlight these issues.”

Quebec has a particular challenge since the government’s position “creates a domino effect on everything going on in the province and lets it persist,” he says, adding that’s exacerbated by language issues and laws like Bill 96 which contribute to the general problem. “The Premier, and the current party don’t have anti-racism legislation in place to address these issues” he says, rather they simply rely on ad hoc policy announcements.

The book includes sections on what other jurisdictions are doing; the role of the CDPDJ, the groundbreaking Yergeau — Luamba decision, recommendations for reform, Quebec hot zones, police accountability and DeBellefeuille’s own historic cases.

Beyond the Shadows is an easy read, and a $7 investment in civic awareness, a useful tool as multiple jurisdictions move closer towards elections and people seek information on these important issues. n

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Saying NO to Blackface

Local Journalism Initiative / The Suburban / February 28, 2024 / blackface, Franck Sylvestre, Joel Ceausu, Joel DeBellefeuille, Red Coalition

By Joel Ceausu

The Red Coalition anti-racism lobby groups is asking all Quebecers to just say NO to blackface.

With the onset of Black History Month, the coalition announced its campaign to end the practice, recalling that last year a controversy unfolded in the West Island of Montreal surrounding a puppet created by Quebec artist Franck Sylvestre.

With exaggerated features reminiscent of the blackface caricatures donned by white performers in the past, and widely recognized as an offensive stereotype, the Coalition said it has no place with children.

“While Mr. Sylvestre maintained that his puppet was a personal representation and an expression of artistic freedom, it sparked concerns among parents who found its portrayal offensive to the Black community,” according to a Coalition statement. “Consequently, this led to widespread criticism within the Black community and among educators.” At least one municipal performance of his show L’incroyable secret de barbe noire was cancelled as a result of the furor, and in another city the play went on but was removed from the Black History Month activity schedule.

“The Red Coalition supports the objections of the community and denouncing the puppet as a form of ‘Blackface’ emphasizing that it should not be shown to young children,” said RC founder Joel DeBellefeuille. The debate highlights the need to balance freedom of expression, age-appropriate content, and the well-being of young Black students, he says, and the situation calls for a re-evaluation of such props and puppets “to ensure it does not perpetuate offensive stereotypes and harm the affected community.”

Quebec Board of Black Educators president Alix Adrien agreed, stating “We and concerned parents and educators argue that certain expressions may not be suitable for young students, and that there is a societal responsibility to protect them from potentially offensive content.”

The blackface issue has arisen frequently in recent years, as local Quebec theatrical and year-end celebratory broadcasts occasionally feature white actors in blackface, as well as revelations of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s admitted, repeated penchant for donning black and brown face in his youth.

The Red Coalition is inviting everyone to join them in celebrating Black History Month 2024 “by championing inclusivity, equality, and racial justice” and is launching a petition against the practice of Blackface. The Canada-wide petition will be launched on https://redcoalition.ca/ n

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