Quebec bashes Maclean’s report
Magazine refuses to back down
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Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 25/09/2010 (5653 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.
MONTREAL — The Quebec government called a news conference to denounce Maclean’s magazine and formally demand an apology for what it described Friday as an attack on all the province’s people.
This week’s issue describes Quebec as “the most corrupt province in Canada.” The cover photo shows the province’s beloved Bonhomme Carnaval snowman clutching a briefcase stuffed with cash.
Quebec’s deputy premier strode up to reporters brandishing a copy of the magazine — which she held up as an on-camera prop.
Nathalie Normandeau accused the weekly publication of Quebec-bashing — then she proceeded to use it as a tool to do some bashing of her own, against her political opponents.
She wondered why the opposition hadn’t been more vocal Friday in denouncing the magazine.
The opposition PQ has, in fact, protested the cover. But it also says the current Charest government has made it hard to defend Quebec because of its plethora of political scandals.
The Maclean’s issue was a top item on Quebec newscasts Friday. Even the Quebec carnival demanded an apology for what it called unfair use of its mascot’s image.
Maclean’s wasn’t apologizing.
“We were aware that some of our readers might find the cartoon on the cover to be provocative,” the magazine said, “but we think that the articles should be read and judged based on their own merits of fair and credible journalism.”
The Maclean’s cover was the No. 2 item on Quebec newscasts Friday. The No. 1 item? That was Premier Jean Charest testifying before a public inquiry into allegations of influence-peddling and cronyism.
Normandeau said the magazine unfairly painted an entire province with the same brush.
“It’s so easy to do Quebec-bashing. . . Enough’s enough,” she said.
“Maclean’s should apologize to all the people of Quebec. . . Maclean’s is attacking our institutions, our history, our symbols. Today, Maclean’s deliberately decided to attack the whole of Quebec, of who we are as a society.”
— The Canadian Press