Sovereigntists Want Prince Charles to Apologize

Source: CBC News

Posted: 10/30/09 4:13PM

Filed Under: Canada

A Quebec sovereignty group wants Prince Charles to apologize for the cultural genocide of francophones in North America.

In an open letter to the prince, which was released to the media and published on the group's website, the Montreal chapter of the Société St-Jean Baptiste says the heir to the British throne will only be welcome in Quebec during his Canadian tour if he atones for the alleged sins by the British after their conquest of North America.

The laundry list of grievances includes the deportation of the Acadiens in 1755, the establishment of an English-language majority in Canada with the Act of Union in 1840, and the patriation of the Canadian Constitution in 1982 without Quebec's consent.

The Prince of Wales and Camilla, the Duchess of Cornwall, arrive in St. John's, N.L, Monday for a 10-day visit to Canada.

The visit, their first as a married couple, will also include stops in Quebec, Ontario and British Columbia. They are scheduled to visit 12 cities and communities between Nov. 2 and Nov. 12.

While other separatists have warned Charles to stay away, the société says he and his wife will be welcomed in Quebec with open arms — but only if he makes the apology.

© The Canadian Press, 2009

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