Word: quebecers
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...wholly wretched mission." Liberal Prime Minister Lester Pearson had hoped that her presence would somehow draw French and English Canadians closer together. While her welcome was warm and cheerful in Ottawa and Prince Edward Island, French Canadians virtually ignored her, and among those who did turn out in Quebec City were the separatists, who shouted rude obscenities, chanted Québec Libre, and fought with billy-swinging policemen...
...Ignorant Pigs." Across Canada, English Canadians reacted with shock, revulsion and anger. The Toronto Daily Star called the Quebec reception a "national disaster," and an Ontario businessman spoke for millions when he muttered: "I'm a hell of a lot less sympathetic toward Quebec this week than I was last week." Added a Newfoundlander: "I think the people of Quebec are a crowd of ignorant pigs...
...Must Explain." Looking paler than usual as she stood before Quebec's solemn legislators, the Queen voiced a quiet appeal for unity: "Between compatriots, we must explain and present our points of view, without passion, respecting the opinions of others. This country is the meeting place of two great civilizations, each contributing its own genius and quality. These qualities are not contradictory, but complement one another...
When the Queen left the building, 50 separatists set up a new chant-"Le Quebec au Ouebecoia [Quebec for Quebeckers]." Again the police shut them up, and she moved on to her official round of appointments-mostly ceremonial and out of public view. For a war memorial dedication at Quebec's historical old Citadel, only 1,500 of 2,500 invited guests bothered to show up; and no sooner were the formal ceremonies under way than another minor demonstration erupted outside the high grey wall surrounding the Citadel. The next day was spent quietly on shipboard, entertaining special guests...
This week Queen Elizabeth travels on to the federal capital of Ottawa and returns to the warmth of English-speaking Canada. But Quebec-with its troops, its empty streets, sullen people and background music of catcalls-will be hard to forget...