Dear Maclean's,
Imagine my shock when I woke up on Monday morning and heard of the scandalous controversy that has shaken all of Québec: Québec is the most corrupt province in Canada! My first thought was not without a hint of sarcasm: Thanks for the enlightenment Maclean's , I really need you to tell me how corrupt our politicians are. Of course politicians are corrupt, that is the nature of politics: where there is money at stake, corruption is sure to follow. Nevertheless, you seem to assert that there is something in the the very nature of being Québecois that leads to corruption. Isn't that a bit like affirming that because of this negative article, Maclean's is a racist, xenophobic magazine?
In the end, it doesn't really interest me who deserves the title of Canada's most corrupt province. All of them can win the gold medal in this category. What fascinates me however, is your appropriation of a beloved symbol of the heartwarming joie de vivre of our wintery province in order to shock, outrage and therefore sell more magazines. Is your intention to inform or is it to make a profit through sensational Quebec-bashing?
Notwithstanding the simplistic analysis evident in the two articles that just attempt to validate the condescending perception of the the Rest of Canada in relation to Québec, your cover attacks the integrity of our national folklore: the Bonhomme Carnaval, symbol of our bonne humeur, our warmth, our difference. You portray our lovable mascot as a bandit, an diabolical bad guy making off with the goods.
Can this be a new chapter in the never-ending epic of the battle between the forces of good and evil? Between the pure and the corrupted, the hero and the villain? Alas, one question remains, who is whom in this story?
I totally disapprove this cover of Maclean's. How can they affirm such a thing without real proofs? Did they analyse the other english provinces of Canada before bashing on the only french province? I agree on some thing,though. It's true that there is a lot of controversies with oiur politicians these times, but I don't think their politicians and/or the present federal government are really better.
ReplyDeleteCorruption can be everywhere and I agree that when there's money involved in a domain, some corruption can surely follow. But affirming that we are the most corrupt province of Canada is totally absurd. Also, taking one of our national symbol and put it in a way to laugh at it is totally outrageous and Maclean's should make apologies to all of the province.