Thank You Eric for response to my post under the article: Meeting to Save Cornwall General Hospital Galvanizes Supporters in Cornwall Ontario – February 5, 2013.
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First of all, I apologize for stating that some English schools would not offer the same or implying such! I was wrong for stating that but I believe strongly that learning a new language or skill should not be demonized or even frowned upon!
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I believe we have arguably the best school system in Canada since our children have the opportunity to attend school in either French or English and in a Catholic or Public systems. Having these choices is a benefit to our community, which may not be here forever, and I feel extremely fortunate that our children and parents still have these options!
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I hope you appreciate the fact that unlike many here you will hear me admit to my faults as I strive to better myself both politically and professionally on a continuous basis! When is the last time you heard a politician in Cornwall admit to an error and then proceed to fix it? I truly respect those who are humble enough to practice humility and are straight forward; right or wrong!
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I never stated ONLY SMART parents send their children to All French Schools! I said MANY SMART parents send their children to All French Schools!
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My comment was spurred because I, like so many, am tired and becoming simply annoyed with the fact that too many members of the LFA have ambushed almost every topic with comments about language!
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I speak for many when I say: WE ARE TIRED OF LISTENING TO ANTI-FRENCH RANTS! Especially, when the topic has absolutely nothing to do with language! We get it you hate that French is an ASSET and that we all should CLEARLY (and continuously) ensure that language is not the main reason for hiring a perspective candidate!
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Some have claimed (including Tammy Hart) it is a waste of tax dollars to have all French schools and that it is foolish and unneeded! My comment and use of the word SMART was to state we are not STUPID for sending our children to these schools! I wanted to congratulate the school for putting forth such a great effort but somehow many of you have made it seem as if I am against Anglophone schools! After, reading my comment I can see how someone may have interpreted such and hence my apology at the start of this letter! However, I wish to add that we are entitled to our opinions and right to choose what’s best for our children. No one should dictate our families choice of education!
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Keep in mind I am not trying to force French on you or persuade you in any way! Despite your beliefs my wife is Francophone and I am Bilingual and I definitely speak better English than French! I only wish to end such debate because I think our language of choice or freedom of speech is a basic right worth protecting and the more people we can help (French, English, Mohawk, etc.) the more advance our society will become!
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Thank You,
Mike Bedard
(Comments and opinions of Editorials, Letters to the Editor, and comments from readers are purely their own and don’t necessarily reflect those of the owners of this site, their staff, or sponsors.)
Boy Mikey you sure know how to destroy your fake apology with all your hate massage for LFA & your distortion of the facts for those of us who simply want freedom of expression.We are not against the french some of us are french or married or otherwise related to them.We just demand fairness to be able to work in our own English Culture.Have a little respect please!!!
Overture, curtains, lights,
This is it, Mike, the night of nights
No more rehearsing and nursing a part
You know your new part by heart
Overture, curtains, lights
This is it, Mike, you’ll hit the heights
And oh what heights you’ll hit
On with the retraction/redaction this is it
Tonight what CFN numbers you’ll hit
On with the retraction/redaction this is iiiittttttttt!
Mike:
Apology accepted. Thank you.
WWJD… He would feed them anyway.
Mariah may be a little hash as others have been, yet fundamentally she makes valid points with regard to LFA.
I have never seen anti-french comments within their primal mission statements Mike, and neither have you.
Yes, some com-mentors have made unfortunate statements yet I for one forgive them as I see them made out of frustration of losing jobs and not being hired for others due to underhandedness of such places as our own city CCH.
Expedited by their over play now are others using the same B.S. hiring practices. What is this you might say. Mike……well no one needs to tell you about the injustice of how french exam’s are used to refuse even well spoken french persons to cull the mass of hires to be a pure in bread Franco french that even a frenchman Cornwallite would not be able to pass, let alone a uni-lingual Englishman.
Side note Mike…I capitalize E for English because that is appropriate grammar when using English. I do not use the f in french because french the language do not use capitals except for firt word of a sentence…and a few more places aye. 🙂 ). Since you are as SMART as you say you are, you will understand this and more of course.
Mike, nobody, save a few want you to rub salt. It’s just the dogmatic way you argue yore(:-) points that get some pissed off.
Mostly they are pissed off and you become the target because of their own misfortune or that of a friends who got jilted, squeezed out far too soon within their generational time frame……too much push for french, too fast for those currently in a job market status.
I can see the push to FORCE us to SMARTEN UP NOW because we English have been sitting on our duffs n hands too long. You, the french sure get noticed when you make such a hard point of things. I know acceptance has NOT come easy for only the past 200 years as we English go merrily on our way, so the french has to force feed use there dogma this hard way. The point is taken.
Mostly I enjoy your writings…albeit they are even longer than mine at times.
Like you, I too, see the future of bilingualism becoming stronger. It doesn’t mean I or EVERYONE else has to like it. A side point to show it is that our granddaughter will be registering in a french school this September, in pre K. Are you proud of me.
Like I believe with you, my formal education was not strong on academia yet most who never went further than grade 12 themselves fail to realize just how many courses and life’s experiences many of us have had in all those years since….so Mike, in the end I say to you…keep it up, but listen wisely when you read into what the troops are saying. Than you Mike.
Mike wrote: I speak for many when I say: WE ARE TIRED OF LISTENING TO ANTI-FRENCH RANTS! Especially, when the topic has absolutely nothing to do with language
AMEN!!!! AMEN!!!! Yep you got that right!!
stellabystarlight February 9, 2013 at 3:00 pm
You must have gotten to feel normal to not have very many agree with you ****smile****
There are millions that disagree with Canada’s language laws ,but priority should always be MERIT FIRST,till that happens its racism .
To choose by ethnicity (language) discriminates against ALL OTHERS.
representation by population otherwise its SOCIAL ENGINEERING.
Stella you do know those big girl words right?
Social Engineering -that’s right you do not look anything up…your loss and enforcement of ignorance!
******************smile*****************************
Mike, quite honestly I am could care less about your apology!
What I do care about is how you continually deface Language Fairness for All group. WE are a group of concerned citizens standing up for fairness, equality & freedom of speech.
Most of us are professionals & have felt the sting of discrimination.
I hope for a better future for my kids & grandkids in Canada without language discrimination.
Mike said,
“WE ARE TIRED OF LISTENING TO ANTI-FRENCH RANTS! Especially, when the topic has absolutely nothing to do with language! We get it you hate that French is an ASSET and that we all should CLEARLY (and continuously) ensure that language is not the main reason for hiring a perspective candidate!”
Mike if French were an asset as you say, LFA would never have developed, you still don’t get it do you Mikey!!!!!
ADVANCED FRENCH IS MANDATORY, NOT AN ASSET AT CCH, EOHU,CCAC ,ETC….
DISCRIMINATION MIKEY,PLAIN & SIMPLE!!!!!
I am tried of your anti-English & anti-LFA rants Mikey. Your ignorance is your tragic flaw!!!
Thanks,
CC2
Mike & Stella (who has an answer for everything but makes no sense).
I thought I was being really SMART by sending my child to an all French school so that he/she could someday get a job in Cornwall. We stuck the struggling out for many years because the teacher’s there just said he/she was just not paying attention. Finally OUR doctor’s testing showed a LANGUAGE based learning disability which was made worse by studying in a language not used at home. You’re telling me I’m SMART, I feel the word DUMB is more appropriate.
highlander….I have nothing to prove to you nor your crew…..
Your opinion means nothing to me **smile**
Too bad Stella not so bright. Too bad no else has anything to prove to you either.
It is racism, bigotry and bias that has the English in ONTARIARIO and the ROC who have a right to get their backs up STELLA.
If it was YOUR paycheck YOU WOULD BE PISSED OFF TOO.
Lighten up, okay.
stellabystarlight February 9, 2013 at 6:13 pm
Your opinion means nothing to me **smile**
Well stella nor does facts and figures to back your propaganda!
Big on lies short on facts ****smile*****
Have a good day stella.
I have the strange habit of sniffing my MODERATED. It smells better and makes more sense than Mike’s rubbish. Mike has seriously deluded himself into thinking that he is a successful businessman and budding politico. The way he habitually closes businesses and failed to place in an election where the majority of his competition are fools reveals the future of Mike. Nobody wants to be like Mike. He needs a hug and a prescription.
Dr. Manigat is fluently bilingual.
There are more than two thousand (no exaggeration) comments on this site bitching and squawking about the fairness/unfairness of bilingualism. It’s been done to death, and then some. Maybe those who don’t like bilingualism should support or start a political party that will abolish it. My guess is that a new party would be the way to go, because no mainstream party is interested. Even “Hot Button” Hudak won’t talk about it.
Ed February 9, 2013 at 10:01 pm
Get back under you rock Furtz !
“There are more than two thousand (no exaggeration) comments on this site bitching and squawking about the fairness/unfairness of bilingualism.”
There are many more wanting to talk About it then not,thats the reality many remain upset .You remain a small minority in agreeing with the status quo and government discrimination.
Many are speaking up on this issue on the many social sites.
@ Highlander. Obviously, not enough people to inspire any elected politician (federal or provincial) to get on board. You are flogging a dead horse.
@ Been There Done That
Thanks for sharing your story about your child. I have seen several that have the same issue. I have even witnessed children being sent to French immersion and when they have issues in the first couple of years they get labels of ADHD and concentration issues. Funny thing is they test fine and end up doing welll once pulled and sent to an English school.
@ Mike
Your apology could have been easily accepted and you respected for offering it. The problem is, just as many of the posters above have said, “You just don’t get it”! When you call it “rants”, you know you are basically saying, “I get it now shut up” and this is clearly not understanding.
Language Fairness For ALL did not ever say that bilingualism is not an asset. You spread that horrible message on here. You really need to get your facts straight! Be very careful about bashing a group that believes in equality and French as an ASSET. This group is not anti-French….This groups is not anti-French…..This group is not anti-French. Work on this and try again.
@ Been There Done That and City RN
Completely agree, I have heard many of those stories as well.
What I don’t understand is, if your child only understands English and you register them in French Immersion or total French why is it not just as important for the English child to be educated in their mother tongue as it is for the French. Every government stresses that fact about the French that it is very important for them, but for the English, it is wise if chose the opposite?
I also don’t understand why, with the push on for total French education by the Ontario Government, are the English Boards not trying harder to lure the English student. Rather than promoting the fact that they offer French Immersion classes, which they will eventually lose to the French Board, because immersion isn’t working, why they are not promoting the reason they exist as a Board?
Well Stella you absolute dipshit if nobody’s opinion means nothing to you including Highlander’s, then why keep on posting messages to the contrary? I sense a strange dialectic here….
Why keep libeling LFA?
You lie through your typesetting fingers including the fact that you have admitted that you are indeed, Julie LeCompte and that you have a French friend who lost her job to an English person once she returned to work from vacation.
Put this way, I have no doubt you have many French friends though name one who lost out on a job or who lost their job due to linguistic discrimination………..
The next thing you’ll be telling us is that you’re indeed the reincarnation of Cleopatra! Well, perhaps more appropriate you would be telling us you’re the reincarnation of Josephine Bonaparte!
So, Stella, please enlighten us as to who you’ll be spending Valentine’s Day with this February 14?
******Smile******
So Highlander, apart from finding a political solution to your problem, what are your options? An armed revolt? Blowing up mailboxes? Sorry if my suggestion offends you, but that’s how things get changed in a democracy.
City RN
February 10, 2013 at 7:19 am:
Thanks for the insight
The many language groups out there would not have a problem if the second language was deemed an asset ,but its mandatory.
When its deemed Mandatory,then we exclude 83% of the population no matter the education or experience they have.
When should bilingualism(french) be considered more important then then MERIT and clearly excluding an applicant just on being NOT bilingual (French) is discrimination of ethnicity.
I do find it interesting that The Ontario government violates its own rights laws!!! Through funding of those 9 French only clinics as all people should have equal rights to services.
How would people feel if we had white only clinics ?
There is no difference here as services are allocated to one culture (ethnicity) at the exclusion of all others .
The disgusting part of this segregation of services is that the government encourages it and at the taxpayers expense of which the majority of those taxpayers would not get services there.
Mike Bedard -Do you not see anything wrong with having one culture (ethnicity) having provincial health services at the exclusion of all others ?
Mike Bedard
Should the rights of one group violate the individual rights of all the others ?
Mike Bedard
Is it alright to enroll children in French schools /immersion even though it is not their ethnicity and at the expense of their own (culture )ethnicity ?
When the official Languages act was enacted the intent was to provide services where “warranted “,but how has that evolved to social engineering? Children not of French decent now learn french culture that being one of 200 + other cultures within Canada.
If that child loses their ethnic culture and language as the expense of a” FRENCH EDUCATION”
as Mike Bedard states would that not be considered Ethnocide?
Ed
February 10, 2013 at 10:27 am
“So Highlander, apart from finding a political solution to your problem, what are your options? An armed revolt? Blowing up mailboxes? Sorry if my suggestion offends you, but that’s how things get changed in a democracy.”
Yes it appears that is how Quebec’s Quiet revolution and the FLQ crisis changed our quasi democracy.
But in the Federal Governments Zeal to placate Quebecers with language laws ,they had only seeded the eventuality of erosion of individual rights and resentment within Canadian communities.
I will never ever advocate violence ,but when people feel cornered this will inevitably happen.
The act of desperation of people who feel they no longer have rights will only encourage those individuals or groups to act out.
Under god all people are equal ,under Canadian law they are not!
Ed this is posted on the Ontario rights code:
PART I
FREEDOM FROM DISCRIMINATION
Services
1. Every person has a right to equal treatment with respect to services, goods and facilities, without discrimination because of race, ancestry, place of origin, colour, ethnic origin, citizenship, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, marital status, family status or disability. R.S.O. 1990, c. H.19, s. 1; 1999, c. 6, s. 28 (1); 2001, c. 32, s. 27 (1); 2005, c. 5, s. 32 (1); 2012, c. 7, s. 1.
Now having 9 french only clinics in Ontario .
Does it not violate the human rights code -note ” Every person has a right to equal treatment with respect to services, goods and facilities”
Yet in those french only clinics people are turned away for language of which may not be part of their ancestry.
This is a clear violation of the Ontario Human Rights Code and yet its encourage by the Ontario government by continued financial support.
Under god we are equal ,under Ontario law we are not!
‘Narcissistic-izms’ are rampant along with ‘arrogance’ in much of what comes out of Mike’s mouth. He does need some deep rooted ass kicking and we can see he is getting it here…to boot, so does our nemesis ‘Stella-not so bright’.
The bigotry’s, bias’s, racisms, discriminations, ant-rants…ALL
BELONG IN THE SAME MIRROR…AND THAT MIRROR IMAGE IS THAT OF QUEBEC…NO?
Quebec is the bottom feeder of all of this nonsense all of us are going through. Look, these bottom feeders who refused to take a higher road to bilingualism are the tail wagging this dog (ROC) of which New Brunswick and now Ontario are their third offensive targets. Their first being the Canadian Parliament. Their second being the entire province of Quebec spitting, stomping on and burning the Canadian symbol of the Canadian flag.
Here we are, all of us, spewing hatred, misusing the literal sense of common sense and falling right into Quebec’s grand plan.
How convenient for them to have turned our entire country on its head. Bait and switch, switched and bated we are caught up in the injustices of the conundrum.
Have I about summed it up? Maybe we aught to all take a breather here, get off our high horses and realize we’ve all been had.
Now, how do we fix this problem?
With no end in sight, I leave you with this:
‘The conundrum that GOD himself only knows the resolve. We love to hate and hate to love.’ and:
‘The only true winner so far has been unilingual Quebec’.
Time for another demonstration, our rights are being violated. Is this not democratic country? I shouldn’t have to learn french in a country that has two official languages even if one of the official language is FRENCH. I refuse to do it.
Besides I am boycotting all french businesses and refuse to support anything french. I’ve had it!! Like many of the english freedom fighters……..I AM PISSED!!
Dave suggested we take a breather….I for one refuse. There is no time to waste. We should be planning for the rally and not let up on our fight for one second.
This is a terrible country to be living in.
Oh come on Stella. Calm down.
I’m sure there will be millions of people at the Ottawa demo this summer.
The Freedom-Fighters will prevail!
Please stick to the facts people! I actually stopped trying to debate and talk about the language issue, in detail, because you cannot debate people who refuse to live in a fact based world!
RE: WOW!
For once I will challenge you to prove your comments:
1. When I have stated or claimed success?
-I have listed my education and such businesses that I have owned but never have I claimed anything other than facts that would inform any reader as to the others background!
2. Why do you continuously mention my past to under the majority of my articles?
– Do you have some creepy infatuation with me that we should all know about? I believe and have mentioned it before that you do this to discredit me because you have a hidden agenda!
– State your name if you are not a Coward………oh but wait you are and that’s a fact since you still have not done so after years of my requests; all while attacking me personally with slander and while using a pseudonym!
3. How can you say I habitually closed businesses when I have only ever closed ONE!
– Can you count or again are you trying to misinform the public to discredit me for personal gain?
– Do you understand what HABITUAL means?
– My biggest shame in my entire life was when Roy’s Pools closed which I loved to death!
– My passion for the industry is why I continue to do so to this day under only the second company I have owned in over 16 years being in the industry I have been in for over 16 years!
Silly Rabbit Tricks are for Kids!
Thank You,
Mike Bedard
@ Mike,
As per usual your focus is about you & your narcissistic characteristics!
Who really gives a rats a## about your many business “failures” or self proclaimed “successes”…
I & many others who post on here live in as you say a “fact based world” & the facts are English & not French enough are facing language discrimination in our city. Until it hits your pocket book or your kids, guess you will never really care!
Be a man & answer ALL the questions posed to you on your article or do us all a favor & keep your ignorant comments to yourself.
Grow up Mikey & put your big boy pants on!!!!
stellabystarlight February 10, 2013 at 6:10 pm
” Time for another demonstration, our rights are being violated. Is this not democratic country?”
The proof is right there stella (MODERATED No more name calling please!) :
Highlander February 10, 2013 at 11:21 am
PART I FREEDOM FROM DISCRIMINATION
Services 1. Every person has a right to equal treatment with respect to services, goods and facilities, without discrimination because of race, ancestry, place of origin, colour, ethnic origin, citizenship, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, marital status, family status or disability. R.S.O. 1990, c. H.19, s. 1; 1999, c. 6, s. 28 (1); 2001, c. 32, s. 27 (1); 2005, c. 5, s. 32 (1); 2012, c. 7, s. 1
So having French only clinic that refuses patients on ethnicity violates Ontario Rights code.
So why does the provincial government allow the clear violation of the Ontario Rights Code?
Could it be that those that are to enforce it are francophones?
Got a little time folks check out that last names of those enforcing the RIGHTS codes you won’t be disappointed!
Ed said,
“February 10, 2013 at 10:27 am
So Highlander, apart from finding a political solution to your problem, what are your options? An armed revolt? Blowing up mailboxes? Sorry if my suggestion offends you, but that’s how things get changed in a democracy.”
MODERATED Ed & your statements offend me.
I am a peaceful,fair & empathetic person who’s human rights have been violated; I will not respond to your PROPAGANDA any more!!!!
Stella said,
“I shouldn’t have to learn french in a country that has two official languages even if one of the official language is FRENCH. I refuse to do it.”
Being born in the 60’s to an English family, I did not have the “GOLDEN” opportunity to learn A- French. I do, however, speak basic French & have taken courses to improve myself.
STILL NOT GOOD ENOUGH, WILL NEVER BE GOOD ENOUGH!!!!
So in your mind it’s ok for me & my kids to be destined to a life of language discrimination in our home town.
Like I’ve said over & over, French should be an asset, as should any second language. Merit should ALWAYS come first. Like it or not the majority of Canadians & the entire world understands English.
Mike Bedard February 10, 2013 at 7:24 pm
” I actually stopped trying to debate and talk about the language issue, in detail, because you cannot debate people who refuse to live in a fact based world!”
Yes Mikey you do refuse to deal with a fact based world ,you refused to answer my questions.
Many in our group provide data from reliable sources or do you not consider stats Canada a reliable source?
Mike Bedard -Do you not see anything wrong with having one culture (ethnicity) having provincial health services at the exclusion of all others ?
Mike Bedard Is it alright to enroll children in French schools /immersion even though it is not their ethnicity and at the expense of their own (culture )ethnicity ?
If that child loses their ethnic culture and language at the expense of a” FRENCH EDUCATION” as Mike Bedard states would that not be considered Ethnocide?
Mikey reality check !Do you think its alright to violate the Ontario rights code to have 9 FRENCH ONLY clinics ?
Clearly if you do not answer you agree with it,as silence means consent .
Mike Bedard ,
With your last statement it appears that you are trying to protect what little respect you have out there .
Just being honest here ,but you are at the moment being self defeating and looking less of the working man and coming off rather pompous .
For some silence is golden.Others never learn.
Actually, Highlander you are the perfect example of someone who can not live in fact based world!
You are a complete “Liar” and you have claimed that I have made statements where I have proven to have only said the exact opposite………..or did you forget that as well? Would like me to show everyone how little respect you have for others and hence should be given?
How do you figure a French couple sending their children to a French school would cause them to LOSE their culture! Forcing them into an all English shcool would in fact do just this! Hence, the need for schools in both languages! Is this really that complicated for you to understand that our Country was founded and has flourished with two main cultures English and French!
I have tried to help your cause by providing some constructive critism but when you have leaders like MR. Cameron calling people “Dipshits” on this very website and almost everyone on the LFA posting under pseudonym’s so that they can attack people and protect themselves from a counter attack………..then yes your group has lost almost all respect!
Not to mention your holy grail and saviours are Mr. Galganov and Tammy Hart! Need I say more! You are a joke to the large majority because your brain has turned away from reason and focused solely on complaining!
Thank You,
Mike Bedard
This subject will not go away until all Canadians are consulted and a fair, reasonable outcome is put into effect. Can we do that for our kids and grandkids?
http://www.montrealgazette.com/business/Marois+make+sovereignty+push+despite+falling+poll/7945508/story.html
Facts
Like it or not, Quebec is giving all Francophones a bad name.
Most citizens just want to work, live and get on with their lives.
Some citizens are pushing an agenda and when we see seperate health care because of language for a very small percentage, something needs to change before all the money is gone.
Mike Bedard nailed it. There’s nothing that will kill a cause faster than infantile public poo-flinging.
Mike Bedard
February 11, 2013 at 9:40 am
Yes Mikey you do refuse to deal with a fact based world ,you refused to answer my questions.
Mike Bedard -Do you not see anything wrong with having one culture (ethnicity) having provincial health services at the exclusion of all others ?
Mike Bedard
February 11, 2013 at 9:40 am
“How do you figure a French couple sending their children to a French school would cause them to LOSE their culture! Forcing them into an all English shcool would in fact do just this!”
So forcing French children into English would loose their culture ,but sending other cultures to French schools would not ?I am trying to understand your logic in this ! But my how Ethnocentric you are!
Mike Bedard Is it alright to enroll children in French schools /immersion even though it is not their ethnicity and at the expense of their own (culture )ethnicity ?
Is this really that complicated for you to understand that our Country was founded and has flourished with two main cultures English and French!
There is a difference between providing French services and Social engineering -must all children be French bilingual in Canada yet only uni lingual French in Quebec?
As Francophone s outside of Quebec account for 4% and Ontario french is the 14th most spoken language
but the 96% must be assimilated to get their own government job opportunities .
Quebec Uni lingual French, but the rest of the country 96% must learn the second language -this reeks of Social Engineering.
But wait here folks 9 french only clinics -hmmmmm how about white only clinics would you agree to that ?
There is no difference yet society accepts SEGREGATION.
Segregation no matter color ,race even language -it remains segregation.
Assimilation of the majority at the minorities wishes.
I am very happy to have a mechanism like Cornwall Free News so people can share concerns, likes and dislikes.
I am not sure that some of these rants are anti French though as most of us ( I am not a member of any group) work with , live with, play with or are Francophone and are proud of our roots. Much like Scottish, English, First Nations or anywhere would be, so they should be considered pro fairness.
The current rush to increase French beyond what is actually needed deserves an airing. We do not see any politicians taking about anything but giving more, so there will be frustration on both sides. That rush includes basic hiring, health care and all government services, so it is intertwined in most subjects.
Mike
I would hope you do not grade our education system in Canada on our children having “the opportunity to attend school in either French or English and in a Catholic or Public systems“
In all honesty our system is so archaic that a complete over haul is necessary. As it is run now the only benefits are gained by post secondary education and little more. You have learned that yourself graduating top of your class in business but failing when it comes to actually doing the task.
I can remember a time when our children were enrolled in a French School for English speaking adults, St Therese to be exact.
One year they were having difficulty with volunteers for the board of directors and some English speaking parents tried to join and offer assistance. Mike did you know the French education system will not allow parents to participate at that level unless they are at a minimum bilingual? Now add to this it is a Catholic school.
That is about as brash as it comes. Now after so many people seeing issues with this French language, for 2% of the population, well you know why people want French back in Quebec
From Montreal Gazette .. thanks Eric…
Earlier Sunday, Stéphane Gobeil, the premier’s speech writer, said in a presentation on his book titled Un gouvernement de trop, (One government too many) that ending federal-Quebec duplication would save Quebec taxpayers $2 billion a year.
“It has already happened that people voted for us, while not voting for sovereignty,” Marois conceded. “But when they vote for us they know they are voting for a sovereignist party.”
The goal of Marois is to win a majority in the next election so she can call a new referendum.
With a minority government, she repeated, she cannot call a referendum now, so her government intends to pursue an approach called “sovereignist governance.”
Read more: http://www.montrealgazette.com/business/Marois+Sovereignty+push+despite+poll+numbers/7945508/story.html#ixzz2KcLZMIyT
Using Ms. Stéphane Gobeil’s figure of $2.0 Billion for costs of the English language in Quebec, applied to their 8.080,000 population that would be $250.00 annual cost per citizen (all ethnicicities).
Now, applying her logic to Ontario, but in reverse, that would be 250 x 12.4 Million or 3.1 Billion.
Now, Apply that to thr\e entyire country, including Quebec it would be $250.00 x 34.4 million.
Now, Quebec sees their savings as $2.o billion, while, using simple math, the 34.4 billion persons divided by the 8.1 million in Quebec equals 4.24 times her $2.0 billion shows at a very minimum it is costing Canada more than $8.5 billion dollars.
Her example express’s cost of producing ENGLISH translations.
According to the Frazer Institute, the cost of French is 2.4 billion.
http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/2012/01/16/bilingualism-canada-cost-french_n_1209205.html
Let’s say the truer costs are some where in between, or probability would be 8.5 – 2.4 = 6.1 / 2=3.1 +2.4= 5.5 billion dollars. Hell, that would pay off some provinces entire deficit, or 1/3 of Ontarios. Think if the savings we’d all share if the ROC decided to fight for ENGLISH ONLY RIGHTS in opposition to Quebecs ‘soverignist governance’ proclamation by Pauline Marios in the same article.
No, ROC is too weak kneed for that, yet we allow Quebec to tacitly deny the Canadian Constitution on all fronts, including some of our own medical clinics. No stomach.
Re: Eric,
Your right not all comments are anti-french and there is a valid cause; which I have stated numerous times cause.
There was a great show and demonstration but the leadership that runs the movement has lost focus and has become offensive to those who are not part of the problem but are Francophone or Full Bilingual!
That’s poor leadership! When you have people supporting you and then start demonstrate outside of French Clinics; when they were supporting unfair hiring practices and then went right to protesting all french services.
Re: Highlander,
I have many Francophone family members and my mother is completely Anglophone. I love my brothers to death (I have 2 of them) and they claim to be Bilingual but could not hold a conversation with someone who is Francophone so in my mind if you can not properly speak French then you are not Fully Bilingual! I believe this a direct cause of this whole debate! Some people claim to be bilingual but truly are not!
I speak French daily to my daughter and due to my lack of practice my grammar is horrible…..but when I write on here it is horrible in english as well…lol! My thankfully corrects me constitently!
To Answer your Question directly Highlander, NO I don’t think its right that any hospital or clinic supported by our tax dollars should be allowed to turn away patients for any reason!
However, I do believe that having such a facility is much needed since we do live in a community that has such a large population of Francophones. Keep in mind the needs and language issue should cater to the communities needs and we definitelty have a need for Fully Bilingual Staff! This is a tricky task and we should all work together to fix it!
Thank You,
Mike Bedard
If you said the truth, once in a while, maybe you would be more listened to.
The English majority is not being assimilated in Canada. It’s assimilating all other languages.
That,s why we need (and have) language laws.
Mike said,
“almost everyone on the LFA posting under pseudonym’s so that they can attack people and protect themselves from a counter attack…”
Question: Do you have inside information? Just how do you know who belongs to LFA?
Question: Just exactly who are Stella & Ed???
Question: When have I,CC2, attacked anyone?
Answer: Mike spreads PROPAGANDA!!!!
@ Mike
We do NOT have a need for fully bilingual staff. You are still way out in left field.
Mike Bedard
February 11, 2013 at 2:19 pm
” movement has lost focus and has become offensive to those who are not part of the problem but are Francophone or Full Bilingual!”
Is that the same people that do not speak up for”White only clinics ” sorry “French “only clinics? As this is segregation!
“When you have people supporting you and then start demonstrate outside of French Clinics; when they were supporting unfair hiring practices and then went right to protesting all french services.”
Mike its is Systemic problem with the hiring practices through the abuse of the FLSA. We have beyond Where “numbers warrant” for bilingual hiring within the community yet have the segregated “french only clinic’s “-of which sir many are mad about !
Mike you speak with forked tongue with these statements :
“To Answer your Question directly Highlander, NO I don’t think its right that any hospital or clinic supported by our tax dollars should be allowed to turn away patients for any reason!”
“However, I do believe that having such a facility is much needed since we do live in a community that has such a large population of Francophones. ”
So Mikey which one is it oh forked tongue one for you speak out of both sides of your mouth!
You really are ethnocentric and the sad part is you do not see it .
Segregation is Segregation no matter the spin you may put on it there Mikey.
Separate services for one ethnicity and the refusal of all others is segregation -go ahead look up the definition this does qualify as segregation.
We as a country are condoning segregation and now creating a class system if you are bilingual (MUST BE FRENCH ) as all those other 200 languages mean NOTHING when applying for those coveted government jobs.
My American friends can believe this happens in Canada ,individual rights are violated for the collective YOU WILL BE ASSIMILATED.
Just a little info :
Hospital 50%+ bilingual
Health clinic 100% bilingual how is uni lingual health care person to get a job
CCAC 80% bilingual considering in Cornwall the CLEAR majority those 38,000
are uni lingual
Local provincial services 65% bilingual
Courts 80% bilingual
There is a need for a french clinic in Cornwall, the proof, they are not taking any new patients. That says it all. So please find another bone to chew on, the french clinic is a necessity.
That’s not proof Stella. A proof is supported by evidence. The theory shared with me by one of their patients is that they have a shortage of French doctors. Notice I used the term theory rather than make a statement of fact. Get it sweetness? 🙂
Stella, I know several people who go to the french clinic but speak MUCH better english than french.
They go there because there is no wait to get a doctor, my husband is one of them. He is far from francophone and he hasn’t got a clue what the medical terms are in french. He just needed a doctor and didn’t want to be on a year long waiting list.
Jamie…….the evidence is clear. I for one, go the clinic. There are plenty of Drs. to go around from family physicians, psychologist and nurses….the same in Alexandria. The filing cabinets fill several walls from top to bottom and some. SO…I guess it is safe to say we need a french clinic and indeed they are not taking new patients…..got that sugar?
Jamie this part you can delete…..the picture of you with the brown hat intimidates me….lol Your eyes are so piercing in that photo and it seems to go right through a person.
Well Concerned Citizen 2 if you can’t see this is offensive than I am sorry to here that you are blind as well as deaf ….oops was that too offensive for you???
How do think this is not offensive? Are you honestly so ignorant?
Now who is spreading propaganda??? by Stating you are never offensive was not only a joke but proves you were the only one spreading propaganda!
Concerned Citizen 2 above post:
@ Mike,
As per usual your focus is about you & your narcissistic characteristics!
Who really gives a rats a## about your many business “failures” or self proclaimed “successes”…
I & many others who post on here live in as you say a “fact based world” & the facts are English & not French enough are facing language discrimination in our city. Until it hits your pocket book or your kids, guess you will never really care!
Be a man & answer ALL the questions posed to you on your article or do us all a favor & keep your ignorant comments to yourself.
Grow up Mikey & put your big boy pants on!!!!
I am actually considering practicing my French by responding in French ONLY just so that the LFA will misread my comments via translator! I think it would be fun to see some of the crazies dumbfounded!
Hi Highlander,
I appreciate you taking the high road to debate this topic! I am frustrated and I think most are with the lack of respect given which has forced me to be ignorant back to those who truely need it!
Kind of like beating up the bully so that he’ll realize how much it sucks to get bullied!
I will continue to respond to questions professionally but once you attack me personally then I will fight back; it’s my nature! Plus, the only people who attack me personally really have nothing of note to add to he conversation and more often than not deserve a verbal lashing …right CC2?
I agree with you but my point is that any clinic or hospital in Cornwall truly serves SD&G and not Cornwall ONLY! In this case the amount of Francophone’s increase…..but who cares… right!
Well unfortunately around 20% of the community in this case or 1 in 5! My comment, agreeing with you, was that there’s no reason why we could not a clinic whose emphasis is on French but whose services are available to all and defintely to Anglophones!
You may not see a need but when 20% of your populations Mothers Tongue is French and 40% of the population say the speak both languages then honestly it shouldn’t be a problem finding bilingual local staff shouldn’t it???
However, seeing that only 12% speak French at home does work against what I just said but really 1 in 10 or 1 in 5 doesn’t change really anything!
Although not a fact, many of my fathers family were Francophone but married Aglophone partners and their children now speak english more often then french! This is why so many Hardcore Francophones try to preserve their language and feel they need French schools. It is also why they want Francophone services for their elderly parents! They want their children to speak and enjoy the same language and culture they did! Just like how many of us still enroll our kids in Catholic Schools but only go to church for special occassions and don’t really believe or teach our kids about the bible!
Thank You,
Mike Bedard