[discuss-dan] RE: Going to Quebec in April 2001?]

["getmelissa@uswest.net" <getmelissa@uswest.net>]

Date: Sat, 9 Dec 2000 13:43:18 -0800
From: "Natasha Todorovic" <stevan@gte.net>


Hi

Having spent almost 15 years of my life in Quebec you might want to be
aware of a few conditions of life in that province/city - the oppression
towards English speaking people extends throughout the province
particularly in the northern areas. Although it has decreased somewhat
the tensions are still there and particularly heightened in mainly
francophone areas. I knew what it was like to be a minority in my own
country and to be treated like a second class citizen just because I
wasn't a francophone. There is a strong xenophobia you should be aware
of.

French Canadian cops are particularly brutal. You need to be aware of
the
corruption in Quebec amongst law enforcement and their political allies,
they stick together and the courts will not be sympathetic as they will
feel they are protecting their own - they are cracking down due to
problems with motorcycle gangs in the province which will add to the
difficulty of anyone arrested. The English media will not be there or it
will be minimally represented leaving you in the hands of the French
media which is not read outside the province. Anti-American and
anti-Anglo sentiments are shared by a majority of francophone Quebecers
so there won't be much sympathy unless you've got some very strong
support directly from the French culture in Quebec City. I would suggest
a great deal of coalition building in this area because if you can get
their support the entire action can turn in amazing ways in favour of
this movement and you will probably have amazing help.

Check out the laws very carefully - I recall some news about regulations
enacted in Quebec last spring that make fines for civil
disobedience/blocking traffic prohibitive - something around $10,000.00
for a first offense seems to stick in my head - you might want to double
check the details and facts.

April in QC can range from freezing rain, making roads dangerous to
drive
with black ice or snow, to lovely spring days. Since it is on the river
there is often a cold, wet wind. Some streets in the older area are
still
cobblestone and narrow while others are pretty modern - it is a lovely
city and very charming.

There are many border crossing points from Ontario and Quebec so getting
in should be fairly easy (Detroit is probably the worst point to cross),
so spread out the crossings as much as possible. The smaller crossings
are
probably easiest.  The border crossings are tougher than they used to be
so make sure no one is carrying any weapons, drugs, or other illegal
materials. You can get all the materials you need i.e.. PVC pipe,
chicken wire and tape in Canada at any hardware store. Don't bring it
across the border since they will be looking for it (I know, it's
obvious). You can send the materials you need to copy to the hotel or to
supporters in QC so you are not bringing printed material across. Copy
it when you get to QC. When you pack your car, think about each item
that goes into it, ask yourself if there is anything that might make a
customs or immigration officer suspicious if they decided to stop you
and decided to look at every item you are carrying. Keep answers short
and to the point when being asked questions, no long explanations.
Actually passports are not required (for US citizens)to go into Canada,
a driver's license works just fine, or an ID card.

When you purchase goods or stay at hotels, make sure the receipts total
to
$50 or more before taxes so you can get the taxes back when you get home
-
there is a GST (Goods and Services Tax) and Provincial Sales Tax as well
as hotel tax making the taxes roughly 21% at a hotel and 15% for
anything you purchase. Every dollar is worth $1.40 there and changing
money often gets a better rate in Canada than here.

Hope this helps

Best Wishes
Natasha


-----Original Message-----
From: getmelissa@uswest.net [mailto:getmelissa@uswest.net]
Sent: Thursday, December 07, 2000 11:37 AM
Subject: Going to Quebec in April 2001?


No-WTO

From: "Workers Rights" <workersrights@home.com>

Bonjour!

People intending on visiting Quebec next spring
(FTAA-SOA Quebec City April 20-22nd) might consider
doing some quick research right now, and give
yourself some time to plan ahead...

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