André Drouin
André Drouin is a Canadian politician, currently serving 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 councilmember for Hérouxville's Electoral District No. 6 in 2005.
Code of Conduct
He was largely unknown beyond the Mauricie area, 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 provides for the interdiction to:
- Kill women by stoning them in public
- Burn them alive or with acid
- Carry ceremonial daggers for Sikh children
Despite its flaws, Drouin's code of conduct seems to have raised questions on 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 has no intention to succeed Hérouxville Mayor Martin Périgny. Host Guy A. Lepage and pannelist Dany Turcotte expressed serious reservations about whether the code is the appropriate solution to immigration concerns. Even though he had an overall pleasant demeanor, Drouin did not help his credibility when he mentioned poll numbers that were visibly unreliable.