Poudre aux yeux is a common French idiom that translates literally to “powder in the eyes.” It refers to a deceptive illusion, smokescreen, or an attractive outward appearance used to hide the truth and impress others. “Welcome to CJAD, Madame Fréchette.” 

At least our premier accepted an English radio interview request this week, something her Coalition Avenir Québec predecessor, François Legault, had never done. It can be more insulting, however, when pleasantries superficially convey sincerity, while actions, or lack thereof, suggest otherwise.

There was no contrition or hint of empathy by Fréchette for any of the hurt that her government’s initiatives have inflicted on the anglophone community over the last eight years. When she praised our “important, world-class institutions like Concordia and McGill universities,” I almost choked. Her government’s controversial tuition hikes for English universities have had a severely detrimental impact on these institutions. (More on that later). 

Asked about participating in a leaders debate in English, Fréchette said, “we’ll see because we have a lot of invitations.”

Asked if it’s too late to........

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