CFN – Members and supporters of the local newly re-branded Language Fairness for All – LFA group were joined by members of the Ottawa based umbrella group Canadians for Language Fairness outside of the Chesterville Legion this Wednesday evening. . The delegation was there in anticipation of an opportunity to bring their cause before James Moore, Minister of Canadian Heritage and Official Languages, who would deliver the keynote address to Conservative supporters at the $50 per plate fundraiser dinner about to take place inside and hosted by Stormont, Dundas and South Glengarry Member of Parliament Guy Lauzon. Upon his arrival, North Dundas Mayor, Eric Duncan, was approached by CLF president Chris Cameron and continued to be engaged 
while our camera was rolling. He told Cameron that: “it’s a free country and you have every right to be here.” When asked by Cameron if he feels that the percentage of bilingual service should be in accord with language demographics, Duncan agreed that is the democratic way. In spite of Cameron’s assertion that 80% of the population is being discriminated against, Duncan was adamant that he saw no issue with Cornwall Community Hospital’s interpretation and application of the provincial French Language Services Act, saying: “I’m satisfied with what we have now and how it works out.” Cameron inquired if Duncan is comfortable with the Health Unit being 100% bilingual, to which Duncan responded: “I don’t know about the Health Unit in that regard.” Some members of the local Richelieu Club arrived for the official function in order to hear the minister speak. On the way in, Jean Lecompte, president of the La Société pour la Promotion du Bilinguisme (Society for the Promotion of Bilingualism), sporting his signature bilingualism pin, asked if he could join the LFA/CLF delegation and was greeted warmly. He then attempted to turn the event into his own personal press conference and opportunity to enlighten the group, until eventually bidded “Au revoir.” 
Lecompte’s rhetoric included asking the group if they’d taken any (mandatory or otherwise) French classes in grade school and insisted that this makes them and all Ontarians officially bilingual (whether or not they can communicate effectively in French). The group wasn’t buying it and pointed out that bilingualism has one meaning when funding is being sought by special interest groups and another meaning when people are being blocked from jobs for which they are otherwise well-qualified. At various times during the interaction, Lecompte said that he agreed with the protesters that the situation is not right and not fair, yet he continues to advocate for bilingualism. CCH nurse Darlene Walsh, who’s been passed over for promotions for not being sufficiently bilingual demanded of Lecompte:
“Tell me, sir, if you fall down right now with a heart attack, do I have to speak French to save your life?” His response: “you do.”
M.P. Guy Lauzon initially circumvented the delegation by slipping in a side door just ahead of Chris Cameron, declining to respond to Cameron’s request to talk. Just prior to the minister’s arrival, members of the delegation were given access to the building to use the Legion washrooms. On the way back to the parking lot, Cameron and CFN’s Don Smith crossed paths with Lauzon just inside the building. With the camera rolling Lauzon was very hospitable, greeting both men with a smile and handshake and agreeing to speak briefly on camera. The conversation was cut short with the announcement that Minister Moore had arrived and was in the parking lot. According to reports from those in attendance and consistent with a demonstration which began earlier, when Minister Moore arrived, he was greeted by protesters dressed in black, carrying a makeshift coffin declaring the death of democracy and some two dozen protesters carrying signs declaring that forced bilingualism is divisive, discriminatory, and demanding that hiring policies should be based on merit, not on language. . One of the protesters cried out: “Canada is in distress” while carrying an upside down Canada flag as a statement of how inverted language policy has become in this nation. Reportedly as Moore exited his car, he was confronted with a demand to know why he and the Commissioner of Official Languages, Graham Fraser, had not accepted requests to meet with CLF previously. No explanation was offered.
As we returned to the protest outside, Moore was already in dialogue with members of the delegation. Moore told the assembly that:
“Everybody should have the same rights and opportunities across the board.” He went on to add that: “The issue of language policy is not meant to be a barrier to the citizens themselves.” The crowd quickly enlightened him that it is indeed a huge barrier, citing numerous examples. Later the minister acknowledged: “I understand how divisive language policy is and how frustrating it can be on all sides and in all parts of the country and that’s not what language policy should be about.”
Some members of the group called for a Canada-wide referendum on language policy. Although not at all outwardly hostile towards the crowd, it was clear that the minister was unprepared to address a delegation. In the midst of heated dialogue, Lauzon calmly advised the crowd that moments earlier he’d suggested that he and Cameron meet privately at another time to address and resolve concerns. Lauzon extended the offer to Minister Moore, who agreed to meet with representatives of both the CLF and the local LFA group in Ottawa. Business cards were exchanged with a promise to meet in the coming weeks while the House is still sitting.
Thank god some politicians have good sense. To have what some call equitable participation would mean that only the majority would be please and the minorities would be left in the dark. I would be lucky to be a minority in Québec. I could attend mcgill, live a very full life in both official languages. Long live bill 8 in Ontario THank you David Peterson.
Patrick that’s an ignorant statement. The reason I chose to leave Quebec is that it’s simply not fair to live in Quebec as an Anglo. Even if you are bilingual there are still issues.
As long as intolerance is at the levels it is in Quebec it will be farcical. Even the student protest has linguistic issues.
If I were in the ER having a heart attack you could speak to me in any language you wanted to, even Swahili.
What issues ? There isnt intolerance in Québec vis a vis anglos. The Québec laws are there to protect the french language. A small percentage of anglos protest because even they refuse to learn the french language. Even in Québec, the one and only french province, the french language is on a constant decline. Jacques Parizeau even said that show me a french quebecer that doesnt speak or understand english and i will kick him his butt. http://forum.titanrose.com/index.php?/topic/8762-vive-le-quebec-libre/
Financially Québec is doing alot better then Ontario. Granted the student thing is getting to be a long and frustrating process, and it has nothing to do with language sir. its the rise in tuition fees and the economy. Students feel that post secondary education should be free..I disagree.
Language has always been a tough sell for some canadians. To cry discrimination because you refuse to learn french now that is a farce. Asking all roughly 7 million people to conform to the will of the other 23 is just plain wrong.
@ Patrick
“Asking all roughly 7 million people to conform to the will of the other 23 is just plain wrong.”
Do you realize what you just said?
But it’s OK for that 7 million to force 23 million to conform to the will of the French ?
LOL !! Not at all what I said. Its just that in designated areas offer services in french. Plus, a majority of that 23 million are for bilingualism.
its just frustrating that people like howard galganov who does speak french calls himself a francophobe…and that beth trudeau says she is bilingual (and i have yet to hear her say a word of french aside from repeating her name)…but keeps saying i am bilingual but i choose not to speak french. Its ok though, its a free country, just please don’t promote hatred.
Patrick protecting French Language doesn’t have to involve slitting everyone else’s throat in your path!!! People will never get along if you continue to shove French down people’s throats and open your fancy French only clinics which are exclusive to your own group. It doesn’t go both ways mister!!!!
@patrick the moron
“all roughly 7 million people” do not live in designated areas. Nice try, again.
Great Mandela quote, Patrick. Très à propos.
Would a patient prefer a doctor or nurse to speak to their head or their heart?
Wow, some great comments on here and still some who just can’t see past the nose on their face. There are over 100 languages spoken in Canada, why is one promoted with tax payer money over the rest. Why are 99 of them being discriminated in the job market.
Patrick you seem to carry the francophone cross and that is great however, your statements are lacking in credibility.
1. It is known that the french immersion system, although it may teach kids to have an understanding of the french language, does not make them fluent. I have a son graduating this year from a full 12 year program. He tested at an intermediate level of french. Before you assume he is just not intelligent enough, he walked away with a 92 on his grade 12 biology exam. At the time of testing, he questioned the individual about his level as there are two higher ones. He was told that in all her years of testing, she had not seen a student get higher than intermediate. So again, he understands it but certainly would not pass a government language exam. In fact the ratio of bilinguals in Canada stands at 12% after billions and billions spent.
2. Now look at the francophone school system, 64% of the francophones in new brunswick are illiterate. After 12 years of intensive french only after being francized in kindergarten, they are still illiterate, sadly for them, in both their mother tongue and english, so it is no wonder the english speaking children are not fluent in their second language.
In order to be considered fluently bilingual, one must be able to speak, read and write in two languages. Even with those that have taken further language training after high school, very few are truly bilingual, again the ratio is 12%.
So we, the other 99 cultures want you to be equal to us, not given our tax money to be above us. Do you have a problem with that?
Is this just a “French” thing or what?
Patrick Boucher
June 13, 2012 at 7:08 pm
and that beth trudeau says she is bilingual (and i have yet to hear her say a word of french aside from repeating her name)
=================
Patrick, I also am bilingual, but guess what,the other language is NOT French.
there is no such thing as a french only clinic…if your sick regardless of your language they will treat you. Those clinics at times are frustrating, I see some people go there that just go for a little cold to get treatment…pretty soon some might go to a clinic for a bad hair day. Thats just an opinion and another topic for discussion.
Pj, id say a mixture of both.
Bud, you made some interesting points, and i’ll agree with you on one thing, our education system is not perfect. There is a problem when you go to school for 12 years and take alot of french courses and can’t carry a conversation in either french or english. I will dispute the percentage on numbers though.
“There are over 100 languages spoken in Canada, why is one promoted with tax payer money”
– because the french language is one of the two founding languages of this great country.
-because 25% of this country speak french.
– and because as of right now the majority of canadians want it that way.
here is a homer system quote for you pete.
‘To Start Press Any Key’. Where’s the ANY key?
keep looking for that any key ??
to all bilingial and french education naysayers out there..How come “la Citadelle” outshined lots on other schools again on the EQAO testing?? french and bilingual education WORKS!! and is not a waste of taxpoayer money..!!!!!Merci!!
Now patrick you say that funding for one language is OK just because its official -there is no english language rights groups sponsored by the government.
So why protect a language that even its speakers do not promote at home! But h**l Lets institutionalize it so all have to learn!!
Your 25% speaking french -dream a little dream not even close to that number !
You and your group continue to show your intolerance -you had to have come from la belle province -known as the most intolerant place in Canada -but hey lets have some inclusiveness -inclusiveness seems to be a keyword for the francophone groups that don’t even have english on their websites-inclusiveness is not the agenda -ITS ASSIMILATION
Letters to the Editor:
Language discrimination at Oromocto Public Hospital
2012 06 14
My name is John Lowther and I am a retired military medical radiation technologist with more than 29 years experience in the X-ray field.
I have been deployed to Afghanistan, Bosnia and was recently in Haiti after the earthquake devastated their country.
Serving as chief technologist on all these deployments, I’ve worked on NATO and coalition forces as well as with civilians.
Retiring in 2005 and relocating to Oromocto, I began working at Oromocto Public Hospital as an X-ray technologist, first as a casual and now as a permanent part-time employee.
Recently we had a full-time position become available but apparently I am not qualified enough to work at OPH as I do not speak French.
In the 6.5 years of working here, I have never had any problems being able to communicate with my patients.
A recent competition for this job went out to the technologists within the Horizon Health zone three area. There were four techs who applied for this position.
A tech with 20 plus years, one with 17 plus years, myself with 29 plus years and a tech with six plus years.
The tech with six plus years was awarded the position as she was French. She later turned down the position.
It is apparent that experience is not a priority. The position then should have gone to the tech with 20 plus years as she has the most seniority within the network.
But to slap us in the face a second time, Horizon Health decided to run another competition but this time, extend it to the rest of the province.
Apparently they had only had one applicant who happens to be French.
The closing date for this competition was the April 27. This tech, who was a student, did not write her final exam until the May 15 and is still awaiting results.
It seems Horizon Health has reserved this position for her and she will be starting a full-time position on the June 18.
I think it’s time that the language commission takes a hike as it only serves one language.
John Lowther
Oromocto, N.B.
http://metromonctonnews.com/language-discrimination-at-oromocto-public-hospital/
New Brunswick being the only bilingual province I agree with the hiring of a bilingual person. If its a requirement by an employer and you can’t fulfil that requirement, don’t blame the employer.
Concerned citizen, Your right on the number. I had to double check, its not 25%, its 24.9%. I stand corrected. Why the heck with there be an english rights group ? They don’t represent a minority. At close to 70 % of the population of Canada, I dont think that anglos have anything to feel threatened by a 24.9 minority.
.. these figures that are being thrown about sound very damaging but they are false – “Now look at the francophone school system, 64% of the francophones in new brunswick are illiterate.“
This is frustrating because to some if you cant win your point on merit, flood them with B.S.
According to Canada’s archives on bilingualism, New Brunswick is 66% bilingual. Wow!
– close to 60 % of Anglos outside of Québec think its a good thing to learn french.( percentage goes up to 62 % among anglos between 19 and 34)
– 97% of French Quebecers think that its a good thing to learn english.
http://www.ocol-clo.gc.ca/html/statsbil_f.php
patrick boucher, please contact your MP and MPP to have them work towards ending all this confusion from various stats.
Ask them to add a question on the next election ballot that is simple and easy to read or understand. We can discuss the wording of course but the 25 Ontario designated areas cover over 80% of where people are living.
Are you in favor of all jobs going to (English/French) bilingual citizens? Yes or no.
(This is the way our federal and provincial NDP are going)
or
Do you agree the Official Languages Act (after 42 years) and the Ontario French Languages Services Act (after 26 years) be reviewed for efficiency and effectiveness. Yes or no
“patrick boucher
June 9, 2012 at 12:21 pm @Kim, I’m sorry to say your missing the whole point. If its a right that i have under the constitution, shouldnt I as a french canadian be able to benefit from it. I am much more comfortable in french then I am in English. And with bell canada, i am the customer, it is their duty to offer me services in french.”
Where does the Constitution list a business has to do anything for a customer?
You can get back to me Tuesday between 8 and 4 LOL
where do you get your numbers -fresh off the press -Stats Canada
2006
francophone -22.1 %-federal-provincial Ont-4.2%
excluding Quebec-4.1%
New Brunswick -32.7%- other 77.3%-English
outside of Quebec 84.2% speak English
your other stats 60% Anglos outside of Quebec number!! LOL-Only reason that Anglos sent their kids to immersion-for goverment opportunities!!! no other reason -this is why its called oppression buddy!!!!!
I love your statement patrick “why the heck with there be an english rights group”?They dont represent a minority?
well sir 22.1 % of Canada fracophone and 20.3 % other languages!
There are no other language rights group enforced by language laws are there?
That is why Canada is not a democracy!! -These language laws where not voted in by the people!!!
LETS ALL VOTE ON BILINGUALISM
Polls can be manipulated by the way they are phrased.
That was evident in the last Language Poll conducted by NB.
The smoking gun was really easy to find.
“The results obtained are based on interviews conducted with 400 anglophone and 400 francophone New Brunswickers between June 9 and 21, 2009. Results were weighted to create a representative provincial sample.”
Francophone New Brunswickers make up less than 1/3 of the population yet they were allowed to influence 50% of the Poll.
This is not a true sampling of the people. It was done to obtain the results already decided on before hand.
Good point Robert K, I loved the poll a few years ago that said women prefered chocolate over sex. Of course, it was paid for by Hershey.
So lets ask Election Ontario and Elections Canada to prepare an unbiased question for the ballot box.
Because it would then fall under provincial or federal election rules, amounts of money used by each side would be open and transparent.
Does anyone know how to create elitism in a Canadian province :
Look at New Brunswick-stats Canada facts :
32.7 % francophone (235,270)
now if you not bilingual -YOU DO NOT HAVE A RIGHT TO GOVERNMENT JOBS !
Therefore less then 1/3 have rights to work for their own government .
2/3 of the people DO NOT HAVE RIGHTS TO WORK FOR THEIR OWN GOVERNMENT.
As A Democracy representation should be approx 33% as this represents the population -CLEARLY THAT DOES NOT HAPPEN !!!
100% BILINGUAL DOES NOT REPRESENT THE POPULATION !!
I repeat -Canada is not a democracy -by simple terms of what a democracy is!
LETS HAVE A REFERENDUM AND LET DEMOCRACY PREVAIL AND NOT LET INTEREST GROUPS INTERFER!
Ontario Court of Appeal Rules Against Galganov and Brisson
Verdict just in from Ontario Court of Appeal concerning
Galganov/Brisson vs Russell township’s bilingual sign bylaw.
The court ruled UNANIMOUSLY in favour of RUSSELL TOWNSHIP.
1. That the township had the right to pass this law ,although language is supposed to be provincial, not municipal.
2. That even though the law INFRINGED ON THE RIGHTS OF PEOPLE, there was reason to pass the law to promote/protect the French language.
Howard Galganov and Jean-Serge Brisson have been fighting the 2008 Russell Township bylaw that enforces both French and English signage on businesses in the four small towns of the municipality.
Galganov argues that the bylaw is yet another example of the creeping imposition of bilingualism on the predominantly English-speaking population of Canada.
Brisson says enforcing bilingual commercial signage dictates how a business can market its services and sets up the expectation that service will be available in both English and French, which may not be the case.
They also argue that it’s not the government’s place to tell businesses what language should be on their signs and that doing so infringes on their right to freedom of expression.
The two language-rights activists are appealing an August 2010 ruling by the Superior Court of Ontario that Russell Township has the right to enforce bilingual signs.
…So according to concerned citizen, 230 000 people don’t deserve any rights, they have to conform to the will of the majority.
..in my previous post i have quoted the canadian archives on bilingualism, they said that 66 % of the province of N.B. was bilingual…isnt’ that in a sense by your logic the majority.
..500 000 french canadians from Ontario deserve rights, 235 000 french Canadians from new brunswick, 7 million people speak french in Canada and the number is on a constant decline. We as french speakers deserve service, where numbers warrant, in our own language.
-Comparing yourself to roza parks made me laugh. Your no poor black women having to fight for rights and for freedom. You have rights and so do minorities. And we are not shoving french down your throats, thats insulting and you say that like its a bad thing.
The french language is a hard language to learn but not impossible if you make an effort..leave us our montfort, our schools in the few remaining areas that we have left… You can live totally in english where ever you are in Canada, just not at the expense of minority rights.
Howard galganov can speak an understand french. He fought for english language rights in Québec which is honorable. What is very insulting is what he decided to do after his battle in Québec:
a) He came to live in eastern Ontario and ask that they put an end to bilingualism.
b) He promoted Québec seperation
c) And he wrote a brochure on how to wipe out the franco ontarian culture and distributed it to 6000 people. Now that is promoting hatred and if it isnt, that should be against the law. And from a guy that lived most of his life outside of the province.
Galgavnov simply craves attention and came to eastern ontario to promote hatred. Two courts said galganov was in the wrong… Give it up howwy
“You can live totally in english where ever you are in Canada, just not at the expense of minority rights.”
Patrick, how many times do you need to be told that YOUR rights deserve no more status than the rights of our First Nations, Irish, Scots etc..etc ?
Ontario has gone down Hill again. A muncipality can force a business to display signs in 2 languages. I am disgusted that a court would force this ideal and the associated cost on a private company and employer.
Business everywhere better start demanding their muncipal, provincial, federal electees to make some changes!
I normally would not suggest a boycott, however, I will not be stepping into Russell Township with my wallet!
..I agree to a point robert BUT, my rights are guaranteed under the constitution. SO, i can request to be served in english or french if i choose to… I can speak french in Eastern ontario and bill 8 protects my rights. We should nominate david peterson for a medal of honor because although he made a dumb decision on his early election, he sure made the right one on bill 8.
The reason there are special rights’ groups for Francophones outside Québec, Aboriginals across (the land that has become) Canada, and Anglophones in Québec, is because these groups are recognised by the Constitution and the Charter.
Francophones in Québec are a majority and the French language in Québec is resilient and healthy. In Montreal and some regions, some Francophones might be assimilated but it is nothing like the past when the working class French working for English employers needed to learn English. The history of imbalance in the previously English-dominated business sphere in Québec came to an end with the Quiet Revolution. Francophone Québécois now thrive in the business sphere.
Québec is officially a unilingual French province in the same way Ontario is officially a unilingual English province. However, both provinces – and all provinces – are bound the their constitutional obligation to provide education and certain minority rights protections to their French or English minorities.
English as a language is healthy in Canada, in North America, and in the world. It is the global language. I know of no research that would support the claim that English is at risk in Canada. The status of English in Québec and the situation of Anglophones can be considered in difficulty in some circumstances. In this case, it is fair to have groups lobby for the rights of minority Anglophones in Québec because they are a Charter group recognised by the Constitution and their linguistic minority rights are guaranteed.
The same applies for Francophone minorities outside Québec and Aboriginals in what has become Canada. Endless research shows that the French language outside Québec and Aboriginal languages are at risk. Literacy rates are lower, usage is down, many speakers who learned these languages first at home are more comfortable in English. Historically, this is related to assimilation policies which called for eliminating these cultural and linguistic groups. These were historic human rights’ abuses. Today, these policies do not exist anymore and the assimilation process happens naturally as the decades and centuries of abuse have taken its toll and the communities carry that heritage with their elders who experienced it first hand (i.e. my grandfather who experienced the unconstitutional Règlement 17; my mother who did not have access to French high school which was also unconstitutional; my Red River Métis aunts who went to Native residential schools). Because of these historic human rights’ abuses, the status of these languages and of these linguistic communities is at risk today.
The linguistic community of Anglophones in Québec is a minority and in certain cases can experience discrimination or prejedice. However, the English-speaking community of Québec has historically been privileged in comparison to Francophones outside Québec and Aboriginals, which have historically been underprivileged. English as a language is not at risk in Québec or Canada. French outside in Québec and Aboriginal languages are endangered. English is sometimes marginalised as a non-official language in Québec just like French is sometimes marginalised as a non-official langauge in Ontario. Anglo-Quebeckers can receive many services in English and many also speak excellent French, just as many Franco-Ontarians speak excellent English and receive many services in French. However, English is not endangered in Québec due to the majority status of English in Canada and its privileged status in the world. Many Anglophone Quebeckers, historically privileged, were wealthy, business owners, and involved in politics. Since Francophone (outside Québec) and Aboriginal linguistic communities and their languages are endangered, the constitutionally-protected and government-funded services are different from majority services which are predominantly dispensed in the official language of that territory, i.e. English in Ontario. In Ontario, the majority is not obliged to provide services to the minority because it is a unilingual English province, except in designated areas in accordance with the French Language Services Act and in accordance with the constitutional requirement to protect the Charter’s linguistic minorities. Because Francophones and Aboriginals are minorities and socially disadvantaged, and because they are Charter groups, they receive funding in order to provide services to members of their linguistic communities which are endangered. The majority of Ontarians, who are Anglophones, have access to the majority of services dispensed in English, the province’s only official language. The purpose of a French language clinic or a French language school board is to serve the Francophone minority community; the purpose of a Mohawk day school, cultural centre, school board, or clinic is to serve the minority Mohawk community. Otherwise, it would not serve its government-issued mandate to serve the minority. By accepting French-speaking only or predominantly Mohawk patrons, these clinics or schools or cultural centres are actually respecting the law which requires that they serve their community identified by the Charter. Since these groups are underprivileged, free-market principles applied to government cannot sustain these communities. And that is why the government funds services for these minorities which have historically been under served and remain disadvantaged today.
In the same way, one of the Senate’s mandates is to over represent minorities and less populated regions in Canada (i.e. the Maritimes, the Northern territories, cultural communities and minorities other than French or English, Aboriginals, Francophone minorities outside Québec, women). The Senate over represents these groups because elected representatives do not sufficiently represent these minorities and regions in the House of Commons.
Canada is not the only country to have minorities.
There are Russian minorities in Central Asia.
There are Berber communities in Arab North Africa.
There are Tajiks in Uzbekistan.
There are Arabs in Iran.
There are Jews everywhere in the world.
There are Koreans in Japan.
There are Chinese in the Philippines.
Etc.
Minority rights issues are dealt with my many governments. Some governments protect their minorities, some run social programmes and policies for them, and others oppress them, kill them, assimilate them.
Canada’s model is well respected internationally. Of course, there is sometimes a discrepancy between the attitudes of some citizens and the legislation in place.
Robert K Monkton and Eric:
Research methods and statistics are complex sciences. If 400 Anglophones and 400 Francophones were selected and equally represented, there would indeed be an imbalance. However, “Results were weighted to create a representative provincial sample.” So the 400 Francophones were WEIGHTED proportionately to CREATE A REPRESENTATIVE SAMPLE. Francophones did not influence 50% of the poll because they were WEIGHTED, and to create a representative sample, the 400 would have been proportionately reduced to represent only a third of the sample (or whatever the percentage of Francophones is in NB). That is what “results were weighted” means.
Robert K. Monkton: You called for the assimilation of Francophones and that Anglos can do better in assimilating them. This is against federal and provincial laws. Assimilation is a method for eliminating a group. Calling for the elimination of a group is criminal in Canada.
Eric and Robert
“1. That the township had the right to pass this law ,although language is supposed to be provincial, not municipal.”
Yes. Municipalities fall under provincial juridiction.
…
In Russel, Francophones make up the majority. If the government did not interfere and if free-market principles dictated the use of language in business in that region, the majority of signs would be in French. There might even be a majority of French-only signs to serve the majority Francophone population, like in Cornwall where the majority of businesses have English-only signs for a majority Anglophone population. Government interference requiring that English also be displayed in Francophone-owned businesses is a good thing for the minority of Anglophones in Russel.
simple: IF Quebec is not excepting of bilingualism -why should the rest of Canada for that 4% right?
We dont have a democracy simple we have an elitist society-in a Democracy all cultures /linguistic groups should be considered equal
Clearly in Canada we do not have this!!!
Lets all have a party and have a referendom and let the people decide!
WE NEED TO STOP THIS GOVERMENTAL OPPRESSION THROUGH POLICY.
ALL PEOPLE ARE CREATED EQUAL BUT LANGUAGES ARE NOT!!
@ Kaede
Section 13 of The Canadian Human Rights Act, which made it illegal to publish anything “… likely to expose a person … to hatred or contempt,” was removed last week.
Concerned citizen here clearly has to look up what oppression means…. people are created equal but languages are not? Doesnt make any sense to me. We need to have guarantees to be protected and to keep flourishing as a culture. Clearly concerned citizen hasnt been in QUébec because that province (except for N.B.) offers more to its minority anglophone population then all the others put together.
Kaede, I didnt know that calling for the elimination of a group was illegal, so that means that howard galganov did a criminal act when he called for the elimination of the franco ontarian culture.
kaede has clearly done her research unlike others here…I don’t know if they are hiring but cornwall free news could use someone of her talents.
Kaede, Your intelligent descriptive researched understanding make me proud to be Canadian!!! thank you, merci!
patrick now the roc needs to stop keeping bilingualism on life support .
It is fine to recognize language but to financially support only one language and not promote any others is called elitism!
If the french culture and language were so proud why dont they get off the welfare system for language (french services language act) -623 million for 4% of the population!!!
OH SUCH A PROUD PEOPLE TO HAVE THE HANDS OUT LIKE THE WELFARE RECIPIENT!!!
It would not be right to punish all of Russell Township for the deeds of the Mayor and Council who passed this law.
What is needed is to identify them and the business that they are involved with. Let them feel your anger in their wallets.
Re Russel sign bylaw:
“In Russel, Francophones make up the majority. If the government did not interfere and if free-market principles dictated the use of language in business in that region, the majority of signs would be in French” – Kaede.
“If” is the key word, meaning hypothetically. However, the reality in Russel is that most signs have been English-only, which francophone businesses put out voluntarily, without any government interference. They must have been doing that for a reason – a reason that eludes French language zealots.
Time to take to the streets here..
Rally for English Right to Work In New Brunswick
For the last 40 years there has been a steady systematic erosion of civil service position and public sector jobs for the majority in this province and country.
On June 25th, concerned citizens, language rights groups & human rights groups will be rallying in front of the Centennial Building, 670 King Street, Fredericton from 11:00 am to 4:30 pm in an effort to bring attention and support to this issue.
All concerned groups and citizens are invited to attend.
No need to spend the whole day, even a half hour of your time will help!
For more information please call 506-363-5963.
The government at any level should not be interfering with commercial signs with the sole exception being claims or health. That’s way too Quebec. It’s sad that Russell is going this route. I know I won’t even visit there now because of this sort of backwards practice. As a friend of mine said recently about a certain city government.
Kaede is right, prescott-russell there is a majority of francophones. If she meant russell its about 45 % to 48 %. And that is sad, There you go admin your being biased. Kaede put up a well thought out point of view, logical point with facts yet you still chose to take the side of a quebec seperatist, a francophobe, a man that wants to exterminate the french language in Ontario. Galganov promotes hatred of the french language and he’s perfectly bilingual…does that mean that cornwall free news promotes hatred of the french language as well.