In a situation similar to the Occupy demonstrations on University of California campuses this winter, Canadian students have been protesting their government’s decision to increase public university tuition fees and suspend classes until August.
However, unlike the state of California, the provincial government of Quebec has passed a new law in hopes of restoring order after three months of protest.
This new policy decision, which is flawed in scope, method and intent, stipulates that police must be notified of a protest at least eight hours in advance by demonstration organizers, and be provided the route of any march that could involve more than 50 people.
This piece of legislation is a huge affront to the civil rights of Canadian students. Not only is it haphazardly organized, but it has already been proven ineffective. Thousands more protesters marched in the immediate aftermath of the law’s passing, and were met with tear gas.
The decision came in the wake of mass protests in Montreal on Thursday, when police used pepper spray and flash bang grenades to disperse crowds. According to CBC Montreal, some protesters were beaten with batons, and a total of 122 arrests were made.
Instead of consulting with students who are, with just cause, livid, the government is merely trying to silence the protesters outright.
This policy is a direct violation of the right to assemble guaranteed in the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms.
The government’s response to these protests is so off base that it might even want to consider taking a page out of the UC’s book.
While UC administrative response has been, at best, reactionary to incidences of police brutality, those responsible were still removed, and reports were commissioned to aid policy reform regarding demonstrations.
The government of Quebec, particularly Premier Jean Charest, who spearheaded the legislation, should consider approaching its differences with protesters head on, instead of trying to shove grumblings under the rug.
Engaging in meaningful discussion is the way to go if the provincial government would like to move forward.
A less violent and more communicative approach to this situation would behoove both officials and students, and would be a more practical and fair route to take, instead of forcibly denying students their civil rights.
Email Tashman at atashman@media.ucla.edu. Send general comments to opinion@media.ucla.edu or tweet us @DBOpinion.