Canadian Town Decrees "Norms" For New Immigrants

In Canada, the small village of Herouxville, Quebec has adopted a declaration of "norms" aimed at immigrants who might wish to settle in the town, according to today's Canadian Press. Sponsor of the declaration, Andre Drouin, one of six town councillors, said it was passed in reaction to a number of culture clashes recently in Canada. The 5-page declaration includes a prohibition on stoning women or burning them with acid; a prohibition on carrying weapons to school, including a Sikh kirpan; a prohibition on sex-segregated swimming pools; a provision that female police officers can arrest male suspects; a declaration that women can drive, dance and make decisions on their own; and a statement that children sing Christmas songs at Christmas and adults can drink alcohol. B'nai Brith Quebec called the declaration "an anti-immigrant, anti-ethnic backlash". Salam Elmenyawi, head of the Muslim Council of Montreal, said the declaration is insulting and full of stereotypes.