In 2003, I'm back in the Capital for a six month protest. There's no pictures in this one. Click -Read more
There was a demonstration in front of the Legislature in 2002.
Present were a group of wood cutters and I noticed that they had many anti-irving signs.
I started my little book and this is the beginning....rough copy and sorry..I am not going to
send you every details of the book...but this happen last year.....
Since Charles LeBlanc told us during the interview that he has ADHD and was on Ritalin, therefore he was limited to what he could do. He was placed on a job limitation program because of his disability! Sheri Mersereau, Irving Human Resources, with no medical degree.
This little fax to the Human Rights office really set the tone to what would become a huge war of
words between the appointed bureaucrats and myself.
I’ve received a letter in my mail box informing me that my complaint has been denied! No reason was giving to me. Sort of reminds you of the Supreme Court of Canada. They deny a case and don’t have to give you a reason, but in this case I felt discriminated against.
Since when are people with ADHD limited to what he/she can do? Ridiculous! But to have a group of
appointed people agreeing with this very discriminating verdict? I’m sorry but something isn’t
right in Denmark!
I phoned the Director of the Human Rights Commission – Janet Cullinan - to voice a complaint! This verdict was done behind close doors and that could set up a very dangerous precedent for
the 5,000 kids with ADD/ADHD around this Province.
These appointed people set up another meeting and they all agreed with the Irvings that people with ADHD are limited. In my complaint? I told these members that I wasn’t allowed to drive a vehicle 10 feet because I have ADHD. I had a driver license for 25 years so what gives anyway?
I was very confused and being Charles, I wasn’t going down without a fight! I made a complaint
to the Ombudsman office and in return, they told me that the proper procedure was followed so therefore my case is done!
Done? A discriminatory decision held behind close doors and my case is close? Sorry! Not
going to happen! Not with this Acadian with ADHD!
Last year, I decided to pitch a tent on the front lawn of the Legislature! This would be like Custer last stand and nothing was going to hold me back! What else could I do?
I was very angry once I found out that those Government appointed people went on strike to demand
more money. < C.U.P.E. > Can you imagine that one?
Anyway? A good friend of mine, Dorothy Dawson, did me a big favor, she loaned me her tent and drove me to the Capital.
I must admit that I was very nervous because I never did this kind of protest in a strange
City before.
I was approached by a young guy and he introduced himself as Dan Bussieres the Sergeant At
Arms for the Legislature. I asked the young guy if he could speak French?
He answered that he could because he’s from Quebec! I bit my tongue because I can’t stand Quebecers. For many years I battled for my Acadian rights in the Loyalist City and those
Quebecers always gave Acadians a bad name.
I served in the Canadian Army In Val Cartier and that didn’t help matters.
Dan was very polite and left me alone. A few hours later, I decided to go to the Library and met a guy named Jean Claude.
I asked the Liberian- Where are you from?
He told me that he was from Quebec!
Once again, I kept my views to myself but I was very confused because I know that we’re not allowed to work in La Belle Province and they allow in the Picture Province?
C’est la vie!
The next day, Dan introduced me to Richard Tremblay. He was a commissionaire and I knew that he was French because of his family name. I was afraid to open my mouth but I did ask the man- Where
are you from? He proudly popped his chest out and said- QUEBEC!!!!!!
Well? A person can just take so much and I blew my top! I said- WHAT THE HELL IS DOING HERE ANYWAY?
How MANY Acadians are working at the National Assembly in Quebec? Aren’t there any Acadians who can do this kind of work? I never received a straight answer from the two Quebecers but little did I know that Richard Tremblay and myself would have a big showdown.
I noticed that the media totally ignored me and I was surprised.
A few days earlier, a guy who suffered under pedophile Carl Toft protested in the Capital. The media covered the story first hand and he did receive a lot of publicity. I decided to go on a hunger strike and fight for my cause.
But before this would happen, I had to visit the office of the Human Rights Commission of New Brunswick. I wasn’t welcomed with open arms but I wanted some answers as to the manner that my case was handled and that was that!
I met with a lawyer name Christian Whallen and he admitted that my case was not handled properly because of lack of resources!
I wanted to know what was said behind closed doors for them to agree with the Irvings on this very emotional issue? I never received answers so I had to go to plan B!
I went on a hunger strike and I might add that it didn’t take long for someone from the Premier’s office to come and chat with me.
Amanda Harpelle was the spokesperson from the Premier’s office and I found her very pleasant. On the first day of my hunger strike the man who, days before, fought against Carl Taft
showed up with some food!
He told me that I shouldn’t be on a hunger strike because the media have already covered his story and many of them believe that it’s him in the tent. I must admit that he was right but I
have to continue the battle against this huge injustice being done against the thousands of kids
with ADD/ADHD in this Province.
I never ate for days and I must admit that it wasn’t that difficult because once you don’t eat?
Your body will adjust to the changes!
This was the only way that I knew how to fight the system and it’s very frustrating when your
voice is not being heard! My family were very concerned that I didn’t eat and they knew that if I
have something in my head it’s impossible to reason with this guy - especially since me mother is from Glasgow, Scotland.
People came to chat with me from all walks of life and I didn’t seem to care about my health. I just wish to have justice done. I’ll never forget one case.
I was making speeches in front of hundreds of kids. At the end, I was very straight forward and direct. A little girl asked me this question- Charlie? If you starve yourself to death and
die?
Who’s going to fight for the kids?
Well? Trust me that did it!
I walked to the Soup Kitchen and ate a nice meal. It’s too bad that I didn’t take the offer
of Sheldon Lee a days earlier. The legislature close for the summer months and Sheldon invited me for a nice hot meal at the BeaverBrook Hotel!
To this day? I still regret that I denied the well-like former Minister of Transportation. It felt good to eat and little did anyone knew that I was heading for a major confrontation with a Quebecer!
While protesting in front of the Legislature, I always walked inside the Government building to use the computer at the Library.
I was always inside and out! I must have sign that piece of paper around 20 times a day! I was hyper and the staff knew it!
One day, while exiting the Legislature. I noticed three police officers standing outside with Richard Tremblay in the front. In a very rude manner he said - THERE’S GOING TO BE A
DEMONTRATION COMING HERE IN 15 MINUTES! I WANT YOU AND YOUR SIGN ACROSS THE STREET!
Trust me! The situation turned very ugly! As a person who suffers from ADHD? I was always degraded in front of my peers and as a Adult? I won’t tolerate this kind of action from
nobody! I told the guy from Quebec- You Sir? You will asked me to go across the street and not shout at my face!
DID THE GOVERNMENT TELL YOU BECAUSE I HAVE ADHD TO TREAT ME LIKE AN ANIMAL??? It didn’t take long for the MLA’S and bureaucrats to race outside to avoid a major dispute. I might add that the police officers never dared to intervene.
I told the Sergeant At Arms that he should send that man to a public relation course! I was very upset and they knew it! I can laugh with anyone but I do have a dirty side to me and it
even scares me to think about it!
HERE'S MY PREDICTIONS FOR 2004
1- Bernard Lord will jump ship to the Federal Level.
2- Elsie will resign therefore Paul Zed will return to
Ottawa! 3- Bernard Lord problems in this Province hits
the National stage causing problems for the new
leader. 4- Bernard Richard hints that he’ll quit the
ombudsman post. 5- Frank McKenna will be the new
Industry Minister. 6-Charles wins some money! 7- After
months of still ignoring the ADD/ADHD issue? Charles
gets arrested in Fredericton! 8- Ottawa sets up
committee to study the manner that big companies owns
all the papers. 9-Tourists returns to the picture
Province in great numbers. Record setting year for
tourists! 10- Paul Martin wins with a minority
Government leaving Jean Chretien with a huge smile on
his face! 11-Saint John will have a new Mayor!
I also witness in the angry crowd a photographer from the Daily Gleaner.
I said to myself- I wonder how the Irving own newspaper- The Daily Gleaner would handle this story. I couldn’t believe what my eyes were seeing the next day.
Right on the front page was a picture of a little girl with a sign that said- Daddy wants a job.
Nowhere in the pictures was the many anti-irving signs which covered the front lawn of the Legislature.
As for my protest? The Saint John Telegraph Journal did have a picture of me preaching to a few students of Netherwood School in Rothesay.
I went to the Soup Kitchen and ate a big hot
meal. I was very hungry and it was really good.
I was in that location for 12 days until Dan came out with
eviction papers.
It happened fast!
My girlfriend Pat showed up at the Legislature and Dan presented me with the eviction noticed minutes later.
I didn’t have time to think things over.
My girl encourage me to come home.
I guess that 4 people from the Government showed
up at my girl place and bought her to Fredericton.
They seem to be in a big hurry to have me evicted from
the Legislature.
Once in Saint John? I felt that I failed in my quest to bring the ADHD issue on the forefront.
During my 12 days of protest, I did talked to a lot of people and many told me that there’s a major problem in the school system with Ritalin.
One week later, I went to City Hall to witness the
announcement of money for Rothesay Avenue.
Bernard Lord was there and once the media was done with the Premier.
I approached him and said - Bonjour Bernard!
He answered - Bonjour Charles!
Minutes later, I was approached by Amanda Harpelle who I chatted with at the Legislature.
She said- Charles if you have something to say to the Premier? You should really talk to me first!
Well? That did it! I blew my top and said - What the hell is going on here anyway?
Frank McKenna you could talk to him but with Bernard?
We’re not allowed?
Margaret Ann Blaney and Mayor Shirley McAlary
quickly came to the Premie’s rescue and look at me
like I was some kind of animals.
They took the Premier away and I was very confuse of what have just happened?
Minutes later, I told Amanda Harpelle that I have a
message for the Premier. < Bernard Lord was standing
right beside her>
I said - Tell the Premier that if I don’t have a job by Friday?
I’ll be at the Legislature on Monday morning!
One Government official said - What makes you believe that the Government should find you work?
I answered - The Government through the Human
Rights Commission came out with a verdict that I am
Mentally Retarded.
Well? You people are going to prove
that I can be a benefit to society and not a menace!
Days later, I had a job at the Y.M.C.A. and that kept
me occupied for 6 months.
You got to understand that my ADHD mind is always on the go. I was very upset of the manner that the Government and the N.B.H.R.C. treated the issue of ADD/ADHD in this Province.
I feel like a Black person 40 years ago. It’s a darn shame
that I have to fight for my rights.
The word-Limited?
In my it’s equal to mental retardation and if someone
can explain to me differently? I’lll walk towards the
sunset and they would never hear from me again about
the ADD/ADHD issue.
It wasn’t a bad job but it sure something that I wasn’t really comfortable with.
I was cleaning and doing some maintenance around the
Y.M.C.A.!
It wasn’t what I expected but it kept me occupied.
Six months later, I was laid off and once again I was on the streets talking to myself.
Yes, I was talking to myself and there’s a place for people
like that but in my case?
I was still angry and I couldn’t just let it go.
My E.I. benefits was coming to an end.
I email a letter to the Premier office informing them that I need a job to survive. I was surprise that I never received a reprisal.
Weeks went by and it was crunch time! I decided that if the
Government ignores me?
I may as well go back to Fredericton with my tent.
Once again, I contacted my good friend Dorothy Dawson.
Dorothy have always been a activist but these days she’s getting up there in age so therefore she enjoys giving a helping hand to someone who have the guts to fight for what he/she believes in!
Last year, she drove me to the Capital but this time it would be different and little did I know what was coming.
She has a son name - David. I never met David and she told me that the ride to Fredericton should be a very eventful trip.
I said to myself - My God? I’ll have to talk all the way up to
the Legislature.
David showed up right on time.
He’s a short guy with a long pony tail in the back.
He was very polite and he made a stopover at Tim’s Horton
before we began the trip.
I showed him some columns that I wrote about ADD/ADHD.
He stayed outside while I went for coffee.
Once I left Tim’s, he said - I read your columns!
Very interesting!
I thanked him but he went on.
He said - This is what you have to do and say.
He began to shout ---- PEOPLE LISTEN! I KNOW THE
PROBLEM!
THE PROBLEM IS RITALIN! IS THIS THE PROPER WAY TO TREAT OUR FUTURE KIDS? WE WANT THEM ON RITALIN AND ONCE THEY GET OLDER? THEY ARE FORCE ON DILAUDID!
HOW IS THE NEXT GENERATION DOING TO PAY FOR MY PENSION IF THEY’RE ON DRUGS?
He just went on and on. Just like a person would do in England on a soapbox. I noticed that he began to attract some people around the area with his loud voice.
I felt embarrass but he wasn’t done.
He kept on preaching right until we arrive on the front lawn of the Legislature.
As a matter of fact, he talked so much that we miss the turn off to the Capital and continued till Mactaquac.
At first, with his long pony tail I believe that he was gay but
he wasn’t!
The only instance that he kept his mouth shut is when he notice a beautiful blond walking by.
You see, I believe that I would be doing all the
talking but I never stood a chance because David have
ADHD!
Trust me! He’s full of energy!
I phoned Dorothy afterwards to tell her that she was right on when she said the word - Eventful.
David gave me a few packs of smokes that he bought from the U.S.A. and Dorothy gave me a present.
It was a nice beach chair and it was the best present that a protester could have.
Last year, I never had a chair and it was had. Dorothy supported me all summer long and I’m very grateful to her. I must admit that I was a little nervous this time around and
this is a column for the River Valley News that I wrote before I left the City
of Saint John.
To the Editor
June 17, 2003
Deja-vu? The birds are singing, couples are walking around hand in hand and Charles is in front of the legislator in his tent
preaching to thousands of citizens of the matter that
the racist Bureaucrats are treating the issue of
ADD/ADHD in this Province!
Yes, Summer is finally here.
By the time that you read this column. I am either still protesting or in Jail! Last year, I stayed for 12 days.
This time around, I strongly believe that Bernard Lord and his bureaucrats will have no patience for me at all.
It all began last year with my Human Rights Case. These racists bureaucrats told the Government that people with ADHD are limited to what they can do and should be put on a disability pension.
Vince McMahon the owner of the WWE was on
60minutes a few years back and told millions of
people that he has ADHD!
Bill Gates has ADD. < Richest man in the world > Take a close look at these individuals! I believe they're doing pretty good!
These bureaucrats strongly believe that kids as young
as 4 years old should be taking Ritalin.
I don't believe that this is the right answer.
While in opposition Bernard Lord told me that there's a
major problem with this issue in the school system.
Once he got in power.
The Bureaucrats such as Robert.E. Gerard
from the Education Department told the Premier that it
was ok for the drug companies gave half a million
Ritalin pills around this province.
A few weeks ago something happened to me which I found very disturbing!
Harold Fanjoy was a person who was in charge of the election for the riding of SaintJohn Harbour.
He told someone that I wouldn't be allowed to work on election day because I talked too much.
Can you imagine saying that Charles talk too much?
Now! There's the under statement of the year! It doesn’t
take a brain surgeon to figure out that ADHD+Being
French = talk too much!
I did this little job many times in the past but this is the first time that some bureaucrat denied me a little job because I have ADHD!
This issue is really getting out of hand!
Another bureaucrat who refuse to give me work!
I had a Chance for a job at the Community College and
These bureaucrats put a stop to it.
Could it be that some of these bureaucrats are paid by the Irvings?
Who knows?
A committee must be form to travel the Province
and listen to the Parents concerns.
As we speak? The Human Rights Commission of New Brunswick are spending hundreds of thousands of dollars for a hearing in Moncton.
The parents with a child with ADHD wants the Government to pay for a private school! This has been going on for months and months! These racist members of the Human Rights Commission don't seem to understand the issue of ADHD!
Inclusion seem to be good for some students but it was a disaster for the kids with ADHD because they’re easily distracted with all the noise in the classroom.
The solution?
Pills, pills and pills!!!!
I might also add that these racist members shouldn’t have a job for life!
Two years ago, they held a meeting behind close doors and
told the Government that people with ADHD are limited
to what he/she can do. We shouldn’t be allowed to
work and should be place on a disability pension!
In my opinion? This is pure Hogwash!
I’m not allowed to write about this very emotional issue in the
letters to the editor section because the Irvings owns all the
papers!
I got 500 letters printed in the papers during these last 10years and suddenly the Irvings pull the plug on my views!
This isn’t the way to act in a democratic system!
Yes, this is going to be like Custer last standing the Capital. I might add that most of the security at the Legislator are from Quebec and I don’t believe this is right at all!
I would like to know the amount of Acadians working in the Government House in Quebec?
I believe that they’ll make certain that I land in jail this time around!
So? Keep on reading and wish me luck!
This has nothing to do with me!
This cause is for the 5,000 ADD/ADHD kids around this Province who needs help but the appointed Bureaucrats don’t seem to care!
A la prochaine!!!!
Charles LeBlanc
