Translating the printemps érable

The special law imposed on students will not achieve social peace, according to the population. 

François A-Trudel Le Journal de Montréal

Published: Monday May 21, 11:25PM | Updated Tuesday May 22, 12:12AM

Original text: www.journaldemontreal.com/2012/05/21/le-gouvernement-va-trop-loin

The government’s “truncheon law” (loi matraque) is losing favor in support of its position in the tuition hike issue. Whereas 60% of the population claimed to be “more in favor of the government’s position” on May 10, this proportion has dropped by 9 point in only ten days. 

Law 78 is too severe, according to Quebecois, who are loudly calling for discussions to end the student conflict. 

This has been made clear in the survey conducted Saturday, Sunday and yesterday by the firm of QMI/Léger Marketing, in the wake of the special law on protests passed last Friday. 

Division

Despite everything, Léger Marketing’s Executive Vice President Christian Bourque is refusing to speak of a bulk rejection of the law. 

“We have noticed rather that it has divided Quebec in two equal halves and that it is even dividing generations”, he claimed. 

The question “Are you in favor of or opposed to this special law?” spilt respondents at 47% on both sides. 

“It’s interesting, because there’s a significant 53% of the population who believe the law goes to far and is too severe”, Mr Bourque added. 

According to him, the more the population analyzes the law, the more hesitant it is. 

The question of managing the protests is agreed upon, as per the consensus on the municipal anti-mask regulation, but not the law’s repression and its farther reach than the student conflict. 

[Translation of above chart:

Obligation for the organizers of protests of over 50 people to reveal 8 hours ahead of time the date, the time, the duration, the location, as well as the protest’s intinerary 

Completely Agree: 61%
Completely Disagree: 37%

Class suspension for all schools affected by the strike

Completely Agree: 54% 
Completely Disagree: 41%

Ban on public assemblies within educational institutions and within a 50 meter radius surrounding them.

Completely Agree: 52%
Completely Disagree: 44%

That the police authorities have the right to make protests illegal if they do not approve of their itineraries.

Completely Agree: 51%
Completely Disagree: 46%

The giving of fines and other penalties not only to protesters, but also to all student or union associations who do not respect the law. 

Completely Agree: 50% 
Completely Disagree: 47%

Fines of 1 000$ to 5 000$ per day for a mere citizen, fines of 7 000$ to 35 000$ for a leader and of 25 000$ to 125 000$ for a student association. 

Completely Agree: 43%
Completely Disagree: 54%

That the special law not only applies to student protests, but to any protest, no matter what it is about, and this, for a period of one year. 

Completely Agree: 43%
Completely Disagree: 54%]

As such, 54% of respondents claimed to be in “complete disagreement” with the hefty fines doled out to regular citizens and to student associations, along with the approach to the law’s application. 

Change of heart

The government’s “truncheon law” (loi matraque) is losing favor in support of its position in the tuition hike issue. Whereas 60% of the population claimed to be “more in favor of the government’s position” on May 10, this proportion has dropped by 9 point in only ten days. 

Christian Bourque attributes this phenomenon directly to the passing of Law 78 and to its “backwash”. 

“It’s the only element that has changed since the last survey”, he explained. 

Since the beginning of the conflict, public opinion has seemed to distance itself from whichever appears to be the more aggressive side. 

“We are under the impression that opinions on the student position dipped after the Victoriaville riot, but now that the government is seen as being on the offensive, it is losing points”, resumed Mr Bourque.