Anti-signage tag team
Unified front negates 'Francophobia'March19th,2009
EMBRUN -- English rights activist Howard Galganov says tag-teaming with freedom of choice advocate Jean-Serge Brisson is "proof positive" his court case against Russell Twp's mandatory bilingual sign bylaw "isn't about Francophobia."
After months of going it alone against the signage decree, Galganov and Brisson have decided to partner against the township which has already spent more than $54,000 in legal fees before a first court appearance.
"For all intents and purposes, it'll be Galganov/Brisson versus Russell," Galganov stated. "We need an army of Jean-Serge Brissons willing to stand up and be counted. He's one guy who values his rights more than he does his comfort and serenity."
Galganov is a proud Montreal-raised anglophone fighting against forced French signage, while Brisson is a proud Russell-raised francophone fighting against forced English signage.
SAME WAVELENGTH
Galganov said he'll defend "to the bitter end" Brisson's right to freedom of expression manifested in his right to a French-only sign.
Brisson said both men have been on the same wavelength ever since Russell council decided to impose bilingual exterior signage on township businesses last June.
That's because the core issue isn't about language and culture, the former township councillor said, it's about freedom of choice. Both men feel individual businesses should be left to decide which language to use in serving their customers.
"We've been pursuing the same goal down different paths," Brisson said. "The goal is to have the sign bylaw repealed."
They decided to join forces after Brisson was invited by Galganov to meet last week with his Ottawa lawyer Ken Bickley. The two men easily convinced him it was time to play on the same team as co-litigants.
SUPREME COURT
"We're on equal footing in this," Brisson said, making it clear that if one man loses they both lose, or if one wins, the win for the cause is jointly shared.
Brisson said he'll embark on the discoveries process now underway which follows from a court challenge Galganov launched soon after the sign bylaw was introduced. He predicted it'll end up in the Supreme Court no matter which side wins or loses.
Brisson took an in-your-face approach in taking on the municipality over the bylaw, altering the wording of an existing sign at his radiator repair business, converting it to French-only, a conspicuous violation.
As a result, he was charged with erecting the sign without a permit, which he defeated in court.
The sitting justice ruled he didn't require a permit simply to alter the wording.
The municipality decided to appeal that decision. Brisson was supposed to be in court again today, but township lawyer Marc Labrosse requested a postponement until April 6.
Brisson said he's going to ask that the appeal hearing be stayed until his team effort with Galganov is concluded.
A South Glengarry Twp. resident, Galganov said his case and that of Brisson have converged to the point of becoming "one and the same."
As part of the discoveries process, township lawyer on the Galganov file Ron Caza has called in Russell barber Kat Alderson March 25 to explain her relationship with Galganov. Alderson has provided him with a local address and space in her shop for meetings.
http://www.ottawasun.com/News/OttawaAnd ... 02961.html Russel Township Council's enforcement that businesses must post signs in both french and english or be fined, is a violation of our Canadian Charter of Rights & Freedoms.
Galganov & Brisson are headed to the Supreme Court to fight for it.
P.S. I hope I dont see ugly anti-french or anti-english comments in this thread.
CKA Elite 
