Hérouxville Standards
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Hérouxville is a small town founded in 1897 with a population of 1300, located in the Mauricie region in the province of Quebec, Canada. The city gained international attention in January of 2007, when it democratically surveyed residents concerning practices deemed unsuitable for life in Hérouxville.
The following questions were asked to 196 residents comprising 98 men and 98 women.
Example questions with favourable results (yes):
Would you allow children to sing Christmas carols at school?
Do you agree that a female nurse can treat a male patient?
Do you agree that a female teacher can teach male students?
Do you believe girls can share a swimming pool with boys?
Can a female police officer arrest a male?
Example questions with unfavourable results (no):
Would you give up your right to display a Christmas tree?
Would you accept the removal of a woman's right to vote?
Do you define yourself as a racist person?
The survey was then used to compile a code of conduct for residents of Hérouxville, which was voted upon and passed by the municipal council.
Other motions passed include outlawing lapidation and clitoridectomy.
Backlash concerning the results included mixed reactions. A majority of media outlets and journalists expounded vitriol, accusing the town of being racist and inconsiderate. A smaller portion of the population agreed with Hérouxville's measures and encouraged the town not to reconsider its position.
On January 31, the mayor and town council made an official public declaration stating:
Et il est résolu d’adopter les normes mises en place dans la municipalité de Hérouxville informant les nouveaux arrivants désirant habiter notre territoire afin qu’ils puissent exercer un choix éclairé avant leur établissement définitif chez nous. Que ces nouveaux arrivants soient informés que le mode de vie qu’ils ont abandonné en quittant leur pays d’origine ne peut se reproduire ici et qu’il exige un mode d’adaptation à leur nouvelle identité sociale
English translation:
It has been agreed upon to enact the norms put into place in the municipality of Hérouxville to inform newcomers wishing to live in our area so that they may make a clear choice before their definitive arrival among us. These newcomers are informed that the way of life they have abandoned by leaving their nation of origin may not be reproduced here and it is expected they adapt to their new social identity.
The declaration has been sent to the Ministry of Citizenship and Immigration of Canada, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Canada and other concerned ministries in Quebec.
