Canada Dismayed Over Quebec Terrorist Game Plot

Thanks to Canoe.ca for their article discussing the Canadian reaction to the in-game plot of Sony's forthcoming PS2 title Syphon Filter: The Omega Strain, which has a level in which "...the [terrorist] Quebec Liberations Front has taken control of one of Toronto's underground subway tunnels." This is "an apparent reference to the Front de liberation du Quebec (FLQ), whose kidnapping and murder of Quebec cabinet minister Pierre Laporte in 1970 led to the imposition of the War Measures Act." A spokesperson for the Toronto transit commission has suggested: "The fact is someone is putting the Toronto subway as a terrorist site, that is a very dangerous thing to do", while a group of Quebec sovereigntists have commented: "It's difficult not to be made to feel like a target when you have a game inviting players to shoot at separatists." Update: 10/23 23:25 GMT by S : According to CTV.ca, Sony have now agreed to change the game, "rather than face a real-life storm of angry Quebecers."

Comments

Sony already changing it?

[alphaseven]

CTV is reporting that Sony has already agreed to have the game changed. (Video linked to on the page).

Funny part is, I was just watching a Canadian reporter talking to an actual retired Quebec terrorist, and he kind of liked the idea, he thought it might make young people a little more militant.

Re:If this isn't a British Columbian's dream!

[Goldberg's Pants]

LOL! And Alberta too:)

Seriously, they need to get over themselves. Nobody stops to think about when the muslims or whatever are targets in a game. No, killing them is just fine. It's total hypocrisy.

As someone who lives in Alberta, blowing up Toronto and offing hardline Quebecers... Well, it'a a dream come true really innit:)

What's with the PC BS?

[pkhuong]

I'm quebecois, and i don't give a ****. Hell, i'd probably have a lot of fun with the game if i had a PS2 :) However, I think it's a bit sad that the FLQ is only remembered for their one(and last) mistake. They did many things before the kidnapping-and-murder mistake, and it was very clean; it involved blowing statues representing the british domination, etc. While it was costly, but it made their point and didn't physically hurt anyone.

BTW, re the inflammatory comments: not all of us are like the hardline PQ, just like not every anglo's like Alliance-Quebec(or whatever their name is) people. Thank you.

Re:Bah

[Chasuk]

Actually, no.

When suicides are widely reported, the incidence of suicides go up. That's why Toronto, at least in the past, didn't/doesn't report suicides (or at least omits the information that the gunshot wound was self-inflicted).

Sensationalism of kidnaping inarguably leads to more kidnaping, and sensationalism of skyjacking leads to more skyjacking.

This has been known for years, and I don't see why it wouldn't apply to terrorist acts, as well.

Whoa people!

[M3wThr33]

Don't be so quick to blame Canada for this one. Queubec shouldn't even be considered part of the provinces. It's sort of like Texas, but without the cowboy hats or guns. ... Make that just without hats.

dude - they killed five people and injured more...

[deadsquid]

...with their "very clean" actions involving bombs and gunfire. Perhaps you should do a little reading on the FLQ.

Their bombing of the Montreal Stock exchange injured 27 people. They planted several mailbox bombs which injured several people, some critically. Their bombs killed three people, and their guns killed a couple more, and that's not counting M. Laporte's death by strangulation.

They were terrorists, and they hurt people. Yes they targeted itms that were symbolic (to them) of what they considered to be an opressive regime, but the collateral damage destroyed peoples lives. They scared people because of those injuries and deaths to further their cause. That's what terrorism is, and terrorists is what the FLQ, or at least the more extreme elements of the FLQ, were. Do a little reading on the FLQ's