By Jesse Robichaud
Times & Transcript Staff

As a young man I do not often need much encouragement to “relax” and “have a good time,” and never have I been spoken of in the same breath as Sir Paul McCartney.

It is even a greater rarity for a premier of Quebec to suggest either scenario to me. In fact it has never happened, particularly not in front of the uncomfortably warm lights of the national news media.

However, I can’t say I was completely surprised by Jean Charest’s tone yesterday when he offered me both suggestions in response to my query about why he hasn’t felt the need to clarify the comments of local organizers, the prime minister and the governor general when they offhandedly say the establishment of Quebec City 400 years ago represents the arrival of the French fact in North America and the beginning of Canada.

Still, as the premier of a province that wears its attachment to history on its licence plates — Je me souviens — I thought Charest might welcome my invitation to place this important anniversary in a more authentic and accurate context for his citizens and those visiting the astonishingly beautiful city.

I was wrong, and the question apparently hit a nerve with the premier of the often-professed keeper of the French language and culture in North America.

“There is no contradiction whatsoever, and everyone is welcomed, and relax, have a good time. Whether it’s Port Royal or Quebec City, if Paul McCartney can have a good time here so can you,” he said, referring to McCartney’s upcoming concert in the city.

As corresponding laughter could be heard from the heavily represented Quebec media assembled in the Chateau Laurier, Charest walked away from the microphone following his answer. I decided that given the choice, and considering how the last few years have gone for McCartney, I would rather be seen as a no-fun grump than a McCartney wanna-be.

To his credit, Charest was careful in his July 3 speech to not say that Quebec City’s establishment was the arrival of French culture in North America, as Prime Minister Stephen Harper and Governor General Michaëlle Jean have done. But judging by yesterday, it seems that is as far as Charest would go.

“I am not contesting 2004,” said Charest when asked whether he recognizes the settlement of St. Croix Island in 1604.

“Champlain tried to establish Port Royal and unfortunately he was unsuccessful, and Quebec City was the first permanent installation,” he said, mixing up St. Croix Island and Port Royal, which is today known as the town of Annapolis Royal, N.S.

“What we know about 1608, is that he had the first permanent establishment here in Quebec.”

At the risk of sounding like a grump, as the story is told on the East Coast, St. Croix Island and Port Royal are considered permanent settlements by historians. What’s more important is that the settlements spawned a flourishing Acadian, and French-speaking population that exceeds 300,000 in the Maritimes today.

But don’t take my word for it.

French President Jacques Chirac, who was at least moderately high-spirited and generally jovial, didn’t beat around the bush when he sent his regards via video to a celebration that was held on June 26, 2004 across the water from St. Croix Island, a small, unsheltered island that marks the border between Canada and the United States in the Bay of Fundy.

“It is with emotion that I address you on this historic day of the 400th anniversary of the foundation of the first permanent French settlement in North America,” said Chirac, to a crowd that included then-prime minister Paul Martin and U.S. ambassador to Canada Paul Cellucci.

“I keep in my memory and in my heart the extraordinary expressions of friendship and affection that I received from Acadie five years ago during my visit to Moncton,” he added.

“This 26th of June marks, in effect, the anchoring of the French fact on North American land.”

Despite the grouchy impression I may have made on Charest, I do not mind celebrating, too.

This is a beautiful city, dripping with history and inhabited by wonderful people. I just think the celebrations would be enriched if they were viewed through a larger scope of history that would offer Quebec a chance to look beyond itself for a more complete understanding. And it might even help everyone “relax.”