We can understand that Bloc Québécois leader Gilles Duceppe has little interest in meeting Prince Charles, who is currently visiting Canada. But he really ought to be polite, at least.
A longstanding nationalist stranglehold on education has created generations of Quebecers who still mourn "la conquête" of 250 years ago, and who have no appreciation of the way British rule mutated peacefully into our open system of government and society. Every colonial-era abuse - and there were some - is remembered; the far-sighted liberality of some royal administrators is overlooked.
And yet, ironically, very few countries with other sorts of political traditions would even consider allowing a movement devoted to the independence of a region to send representatives to Parliament, or to form a provincial government, or to force referendums.
This reflects the spirit of compromise inherent in what used to be called British institutions: The sovereignty movement renounces violent methods, and in exchange has free access to the whole political system.
Part of that compromise, it seems to us, should be a modicum of polite silence. Duceppe chose, instead, to mock, saying this week that "the monarchy is a system that is depassé and archaic. I call it a genetic lottery. People who say they have blue blood should see their doctor as soon as they can."
As a practical politician, Duceppe should know better than to deride what he cannot change. Severing Canada's ties to the Crown, as many in all parts of the country seem to favour, is just not on: Any constitutional amendment involving "the office of the Queen" would demand unanimous consent of every provincial legislature, plus the House of Commons and the Senate. Critics of the monarchy have a better chance to win that $50 million lottery.
Some Canadians retain a strong affection for the monarchy and the traditions it represents; anyone who doubts that can check the crowds turning up to see Prince Charles and the duchess of Cornwall, certainly not the most glamorous of royals, in the first days of their Canadian visit.
We regret that so many Canadians, and not just francophones, are downright puzzled by any attachment to the crown. We believe that limited government under a constrained monarchy, as evolved in Britain and replicated elsewhere in Europe, has served Canada and many other countries very well.
There are plenty of things in this world, and this country, that need change much more urgently.