Most Quebecers believe it is important to promote the French language and ensure that French-speaking people can work and thrive in their language. But few are petty and silly enough to think that to promote French, one must be rude and uncivil to foreigners who don't speak French.

But that is precisely what Premier Bouchard and his government believe. As absurd and embarrassing as it is, the Bouchard government has a policy that forbids its civil servants from speaking English in public without prior permission.

A group of German industrialists learned all about it first-hand this month. Needless to say, they were puzzled and not impressed. The industrialists, from 15 major German companies including Bayer AG and the Daimler-Benz aircraft division, were in town to assess Montreal as a place to do business. Montreal International, a group dedicated to promoting the city as a cosmopolitan centre, had organized a meeting for them with various officials, including André Dorr, an assistant deputy minister of industry.

During the meeting, the Germans asked Mr. Dorr, in English, about language laws and separation. The bilingual Mr. Dorr answered in French, a language most of the Germans did not speak. What's more ridiculous, Mr. Dorr had earlier spoken to some of the guests privately in English.

One would think the brain trust in Quebec City would understand that such astonishing behaviour is rude and makes Quebec appear hostile to foreigners (not to mention that it does nothing to promote French). It is discourteous and counter-productive. To insult people of good will who may be interested in investing in Quebec is the height of stupidity. It is the kind of pin-headed policy that can embarrass Quebec and make it a laughing stock among outsiders.

Yet, Mr. Bouchard, who preferred campaigning for the Bloc Québécois to meeting the German businessmen, and Deputy Premier Bernard Landry, applauded Mr. Dorr.

The blunt truth is that this policy and these politicians only hurt Quebec's image and ability to attract investment and jobs.