This week on Focus Montreal: September 7

Focus Montreal introduces Montrealers to people who are shaping our community, bringing their stories into focus.

It airs on Saturday at 5:30 p.m. and on Sunday at 7:30 a.m. and at midnight.

Take a look at who we’re meeting this week:

Maclean’s columnist weighs in on Quebec’s Charter of Values
Hear why Maclean’s Magazine columnist Martin Patriquin is so furious over the Parti Quebecois’ proposed Quebec Values Charter. Patriquin calls the legislation to limit religious symbols in public institutions racist, xenophobic and dangerous. He even compares Pauline Marois’ move to forbid the wearing of hijabs, kipas and turbans in government institutions to Vladimir Putin and Russia’s homophobic laws against gays. You read his articles at www.macleans.ca and follow him on twitter at @martinpatriquin.

Read more about the Charter of Values here. 

Veteran history teacher on changes to Quebec’s curriculum
Meet English Montreal School Board history teacher John Commins, who’s urging the public to be vigilant about proposed changes to teaching history in Quebec. The 25-year teaching veteran was a member of a committee in 2004 that helped Quebec history teaching become more inclusive. He says Education Minister Marie Malavoy is now pushing a more political agenda in history classes. Express your thoughts on the issue on the Ministry of Education, Recreation and Sports (MELS) website here.

Read more about the history course changes here.

Rock Camp for Girls Youth Choir
Rock Camp for Girls is getting set to keep the vibe going all year long. For the past five years, the summer camp has been teaching girls about making music and empowering themselves. Now organizers are planning to rock all year long by launching an after-school program with a Glee-club-like feel. Rock Camp coordinator Heather Hardie explains how it will work and how you can get involved. For more information, click here.