André Drouin (c. 1947 – 2 April 2017) was a Canadian politician, who served as a city councillor in Hérouxville, Quebec. He is best known as the author of the controversial Hérouxville Standards, a document which sparked national debate in 2007 over the principle of providing reasonable accommodation for cultural and religious diversity.
Election
Drouin was elected as the council member for Hérouxville's Electoral District No. 6 in 2005.
Code of Conduct
He was largely unknown beyond the Mauricie region of the province of Quebec until he authored a 'code of conduct' that spells out standards for newcomers to his community. The controversial document drew media attention because of its perceived eccentricity and alleged lack of inclusiveness toward certain minorities.[1] It contradicts a number of Supreme Court rulings and notably forbids a resident to:
- Kill women by stoning them in public
- Burn women alive or with acid
- Allow Sikh children to carry kirpans
Despite its flaws, Drouin's code raised questions on the limits of tolerance and fueled the debate over reasonable accommodations.[2]
Tout le monde en parle
In February 2007, Drouin went on the set of the French Canadian talk-show Tout le monde en parle to expose his views. While on the show, he claimed that he had no intention to succeed Hérouxville Mayor Martin Périgny. Host Guy A. Lepage and panelist Dany Turcotte expressed serious reservations about whether the code was the appropriate solution to immigration concerns.
Death
Drouin died on 2 April 2017 from cancer, aged 70.[3][4]
References
- ^ "No stoning, Canada migrants told". BBC News. 31 January 2017. Retrieved 2017-04-14.
- ^ "Hérouxville's Rules Raise Questions on Limits of Tolerance". The Canadian Encyclopedia. Archived from the original on 30 September 2007. Retrieved 2017-04-14.
- ^ "Le coauteur du code de vie d'Hérouxville André Drouin est décédé". TVA Nouvelles (in French). 3 April 2017. Retrieved 2017-04-14.
- ^ "Author of Herouxville 'code' for immigrants, André Drouin, dies at 70". Montreal Gazette. 4 April 2017. Retrieved 2017-04-14.