We’ve all wanted to go postal (all pun intended) at some time or another. The type of day where you regret even leaving your front door to face the day. The sort of day where you know that whatever you do, you just cannot make any headway nor win your cause in the least bit. We’ve all had those kinds of days whereby, ’ The Shirelles’ invented the song, “Mama Said” to describe them.
And so it was a normal, cool, crisp and sunny Northern Ontario morning last April whenever I left the house to mail a letter at the Post Office. I had not much to do that day; and figured I would take complete advantage of the time I had to run a few errands. My first step was the Post Office.
There was no lineup when I arrived and felt blessed that my luck was so far, so good. I was wrong though. As I approached the mid-age woman working behind the desk I greeted her and wished her a good morning and requested to purchase a stamp in the language of my choice, which happens to be English. She obliged by producing the stamp and not returning the greeting in English nor French. The remainder of our exchange during the few minutes had me requesting my service in English whereby her portion of the exchange was conducted in French.
Now, normally this situation wouldn’t be a problem for me as everyone knows I’m bilingual. But on this particular day, I couldn’t get over the fact that I showed absolutely no inclination at all as to being bilingual. Why wasn’t I served in English when clearly I greeted the worker in English upon the beginning of our exchange? Further, why didn’t the Postal Worker switch to English whenever I was communicating in said language? I could have switched to French but I decided not to. My idea in this decision had to do with the fact that I felt that the worker was obligated to provide me with the service in English simply because I was the customer. This would have been different if at any time she had informed me that she couldn’t speak English and would try to accommodate me by other means. One such solution she could have sought out would be to perhaps seek out the services of another Postal Worker to serve me if she didn’t speak English herself.
In any case, I didn’t complain. That is, I didn’t file a complaint at the Post Office. As an aside, I have come across instances like this a few dozen times during the course of business transactions with civil service workers throughout the years and even some in the private industry. And, after all was said and done, I never complained. I had simply grown accustomed to situations like the one above and there is an argument to be made that I had become somewhat conditioned by these scenarios over the years.
Until now…
Perhaps it’s my newfound sense of fairness and pride that has awakened within me during these past two years. Perhaps now that I’m a little longer in the tooth, I have decided that I no longer will take things lying down as it were.
I’m tired…
It’s one thing to learn a minority language and to enjoy the privileges of being able to read, write and speak in French. But for what purpose and intent? And to who’s benefit is it that I am bilingual? Myself or to those whom I communicate with who have French as a first language? I can honestly state that being bilingual hasn’t furthered my career options nor has it had the desired effect of garnishing career advancement opportunities for me in the job that I do have. Moreover, I get the feeling that being bilingual for many of us Anglophones simply equates to making it easier for the Francophones to not have to learn English in order to communicate with us – such as in daily merchant transactions.
Enough…
It was with all of these thoughts swirling within my consciousness that April day that I made the conscientious decision to file a complaint with Canada’s, ‘Office of the Commissioner of Official Languages’. Before doing so, however, I ensured that I had a valid complaint to begin with and checked out the ‘Filing a Complaint’ section, sub-section, ‘In what situations can I file a complaint’. After reviewing the information, I determined that I did in fact have a valid complaint and filed an online complaint the day of my Post Office visit and an initial response was forthcoming from a representative within a week of filing the complaint.
The representative advised me that in order to solve the dilemma of what had occurred an investigation would take place as to the incident itself. Having said that, keep in mind that my complaint was well documented and filed only after a few hours of the incident taking place. Everything that happened was written succinctly on the initial report!
So, after e-mail and playing telephone tag to which more than a half dozen e-mails and a half dozen telephone calls were sent between myself and the representative detailing what had occurred; I emphasized and re-emphasized that I wanted only one question answered – and that was the following:
Why, was I spoken to in French whenever I clearly communicated in English?
All of this to say that as month 3 was coming around the corner subsequent to the initial incident; I was informed that the investigation was completed and that the results would soon be forthcoming. I have a few questions as to this entire affair after having gone through this experience. One being why haven’t I been provided with a response yet after 3 months? Certainly this is a cut and paste situation?
Why?
Exactly what justifies the creation of an, “Office of the Commissioner of Official Languages” to begin with. As of 2011, there were 518 complaints that the office dealt with having to do with language issues. On October 16, 2012 a Globe and Mail article reported that,
“Almost half of the 518 complaints came from the area around Ottawa and adjacent Gatineau, Que., …” (http://www.theglobeandmail.
Are Canadian taxpayers being led to believe that 518 language-related complaints warrant a full-time staff being paid civil service wages to investigate this? I cannot help but comment that more work is done during an 8 hour shift by a half dozen or less call centre employees who themselves individually handle on average a little more than 100 calls a day. It seems as though by comparing stats, we’re not exactly getting a great bang for our buck. So, I would argue that what we have here is but another example of government incompetence; a type and kind of federal government language police make-work project that our taxes are paying for.
And I’ll say this much. We already have a set of language police in this country. We don’t require the services of another; let alone the foundational Office quebecois de la langue francaise.
Ask yourselves this much: Will it take over 3 months to solve your next computer or cell phone issue by someone making minimum wage? Probably not. So why would something so trivial take so long to conclude by someone being paid so much?
(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.)
Ahhh, Mannix… (and Gail?)
Fond memories indeed… Here at 83
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MeKUWIu1NGE
Sorry for going off topic but i am sure no one was restricted from getting work on that series for being only English 🙂
oh and hey bella-b
Re: That line in your post on July 31, 2013 at 8:01 am
bella-b wrote, “But hey, if want to play ostrich and hide your head in the sand, that’s ok too. It puts your best side forward for all to see.”
And bella-b. In case you weren’t around and didn’t see this go by in the forum before, i send this one out to hftT AKA (live for lies) and the rest of them in your honor.
https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-dB1_xMQsbeY/UfVO5SuuiHI/AAAAAAAAArg/gFEQFiX13ks/w635-h350-no/Head+in+the+sand.png
And, for all those out there who claim to be unique, i offer…
https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-Wl2iqg_Fguw/UeRIfbF_NyI/AAAAAAAAArA/xuZzkPHulJ4/w459-h353-no/Unique.jpg
http://www.ctvnews.ca/politics/supreme-court-rules-against-tabling-french-only-documents-in-b-c-1.1386111
Now then push is on in B.C less then 1% of the population -so this is where numbers warrant?
There is a backlash coming you can only corner the majority so long and limit their opportunities ,eventually one has to pay THE PIPER.
This is a fine example of why there is a need for fair equitable and measurable approach-REPRESENTATION BY POPULATION.
Many of the groups on facebook and other social media; I and others are increasingly hearing people talk of the possibility of civil war.
Why doesn’t the government address the issues before this possibility?
There is an increasing palpable tension rising across the country with language laws ,yet for an appeasement of a minority the countries future is at risk!
Every now and then I think of the millions of people who are forced to endure never ending starvation, war, death and misery is such hell-holes as North Korea, Syria, Iraq, Libya, Palestine, etc. Then, I think of poor (bilingual) Cory Cameron, who had to suffer the indignity of being spoken to in French at a post office. It kind of puts things in perspective.
Hi everyone please take the time to listen to this radio interview from NewBrunswick it proves that CCH is far from isolated with regards to language laws.
You want to see the future of what language laws brings to Ontario look At NewBrunswick.
I fully agree with the well balanced approach Joyce Wright has provided .
http://www.cbc.ca/player/Radio/Local+Shows/Maritimes/ID/2398889148/
Oh wait another international news agency mocking Quebec’s religious like zeal for language laws.
Last week Huffington post :
Forget the Federal government addressing those unjust language laws let international news advise the world of our language apartheid of which our federal government is morally corrupt with agreeing to.
http://www.economist.com/blogs/americasview/2013/07/language-canada-0
In case you missed the huffington post.
http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/2013/07/29/xavier-menard-quebec-english_n_3671420.html?utm_hp_ref=canada-business
Furtz, I feel the same way about Mr. 7up on Air Canada and Mr. I want an Alberta speeding ticket in French.
The world is waking up to Quebec’s language apartheid.
For do not worry of the English ,but it is your own behavior that will be your demise .
http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/diane-bederman/quebec-canada_b_3646036.html
So you are saying English in Quebec are treated well many believe otherwise.
Here from another Quebecer:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wi1DEEkhUTA
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lcUdzkMBKHA&feature=youtu.be
Hey a bit off tune but funny never the less,
REALITY SUCKS .
Furtz
July 31, 2013 at 2:28 pm
“Then, I think of poor (bilingual) Cory Cameron, who had to suffer the indignity of being spoken to in French at a post office. It kind of puts things in perspective.”
Yes Furtz and the indignity of a federal government employee not receiving 7UP ,besides the $12,000 for that tragedy from air Canada the couple received , the untold court costs (the taypayer footed that bill) and there had been numerous other tragedies as such the couple had been generously rewarded through the courts on numerous similar cases.
Again, why this?
This time not Stella, but Furtz:
“Every now and then I think of the millions of people who are forced to endure never ending starvation, war, death and misery is such hell-holes as North Korea, Syria, Iraq, Libya, Palestine, etc. Then, I think of poor (bilingual) Cory Cameron, who had to suffer the indignity of being spoken to in French at a post office. It kind of puts things in perspective.”
Why single me out? Kinda odd, isn’t it folks?
C’est bizarre, non?
admin, is there a policy on spamming ? cause some out here seem to like to do that. just asking ?
Why would I single you out Cory? It’s pretty simple. You are the one who gets so bent out of shape that you wrote letters of protest to CFN because you spotted a fleur de lys on a Cornwall church website, saw a French language sign on Highway 11, and was spoken to in French at the Timmins post office. What next? A MacDonald’s or Timmy’s worker saying bonjour as they hand you your coffee? I can assure you Mr. Cameron, that most of the people on this planet would happily trade their problems for yours.
@Highlander. Thanks for posting all the great mainstream news media articles and links. I imagine there are some who will describe these articles as lies and useless Internet “videos” that no one should pay attention to. But, it seems to me that this is more like the media exposing the kind of cr@p the French are doing and the English are being forced to deal with.
And btw, the story from the well respected Economist magazine included a line which read,
“Although the rules exempt trademarks, in 2011 the OQFL controversially decided that public shop signs constitute displays of business names, which are not protected.”
I would like to note that there should be two extra words added in this phrase. It actually should read as follows…
“Although the rules exempt trademarks, in 2011 the OQFL controversially — HAS ARBITRARILY — decided that public shop signs constitute displays of business names, which are not protected.”
The original bill 101 (which is the bill in force right now) has a provision for this kind of situation and that provision STILL EXISTS.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_a5nrP3qRyU&hd=1
The law (bill 101 was NEVER CHANGED) thus, what the OQLF has done is arbitrarily added this new part. And, is in effect, “making it up as they go along” while strong arming these companies in the hopes that they will comply without going to court as, “going to court” will only demonstrate that “the law – bill 101” would have to be changed for the OQLF to have legal standing.
From what i hear from respected sources (within their own ranks) is that they don’t want to open up bill 101 to make the changes as this will bring on the possibility of more challenges to other parts of it.
This BS is similar to what the French are doing in the roCanada with things like the OLA and provisions for French availability within “Federal institutions.”
They have arbitrarily decided to make up their own rules as far as what constitutes where numbers warrant in the roCanada and have now begun pushing it out into the other sectors beyond federal boundaries. Demonstrating once again, this is NOT about fairness and balance. It’s really about French first, French dominant and ultimately French ONLY as is clearly shown with the Montfort hospital and other examples that claim to be bilingual, or at least began with that claim.
Then there’s this little “gem of an organization.”
An organization with the doublespeak welcome banner which Google translated say’s “Welcome to our website which encourages freedom of opinion and freedom of expression for the world’s cultural diversity.” I dare you to find an tab to switch to the “culturally diverse language called English :-)” Uh huh, right !!
These guys advertise on “ENGLISH” Television promoting the idea that French should be IMPERATIVE.” — Right !!! — An English company couldn’t even buy advertizing space on a French station even if it wanted to.
They also have a section which lists 106 different French organizations (like this one http://www.avenir-langue-francaise.fr/) which help promote everything French. Nothing on the surface wrong with that except the little concept that it’s not quite “as culturally diverse” as their welcome banner would like you to believe.”
I Guess this wouldn’t be a good time to remind the WORLD that while these wonderful folks are “hyper” promoting French as being “imperative” in Canada the English language is banned and illegal in the very province in Canada (Quebec) which has the largest population of French people living there.
NICE !!!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_ecVHxZIT_g&list=UUMI2d1tlqc2IEDsJK6VkpMQ&hd=1
Oh, did i mention the section where they encourage their site visitors to post pictures of offending “English only” or “English with the wording bigger than the French” type sign offenders. So that the O-ffice of the S-crew the E-nglish L-anguage (OSEL) can go and “take care of” these nasty offenders.
Check that out here. It claims (at the time of this posting) to have “more than 101 recent cases of violations of the law 101” and what appears to be a total of 877 listed
Yup, the OSEL will take care of them Nasty English offenders. Speaking of which. I took a journey there to check things out. And guess what? they actually have an “English tab.” Of course, pressing it gives you what most French sites that have an English tab gives you. NOT MUCH. As is often the case much of the page stays French and you only get a small bit of really nothing unless it’s “promotional and money making.”
It’s as if these guys are thinking…
Those Anglais, do they actually believe this is their country too? Not likley, even if France did cede it to them. We can “strongly” deny this away as if it were not true or not valid anymore since we have been here so long now. Nothing like being humble in defeat.
http://www.imperatif-francais.org/bienvenu/photos/une-anglicisation-fulgurante.html
Furtz, it was not Cory Cameron that commented on the flur de lys in a church window, and it is the Alexandria-Cornwall Diocese website. Why does the flur have to take such superiority? The Cross should be alone, no?
http://www.alexandria-cornwall.ca/
What about Scouts Canada, you have to look twice to be sure you are not looking at Scouts Quebec.
http://www.scouts.ca/
By excluding people in the rest of Canada we are including Quebec? Where is Spock to explain the logic?
You’re right bella. I was just judging. I don’t know why I don’t play poker because if I may borrow a line from christian slater ¨I can smell a lie like a fart in a car¨. Now I’ll admit there is a slight chance I might be wrong but I doubt it. If I was in his shoes i’d be a little more thankful. The guy seems to be living a decent normal life with the love of his life. Isn’t that enough ? If education is the problem, then stop complaining and do something about it.
“Richard tremblay July 30, 2013 at 6:31 pm
admin, you can speak bad french..and get a job in the public service. IF you speak bad english, then its a sin against nature. This story about coreys experience sounds like the story he says about speaking french 55 % of the time, i do love a good fiction.”
I see Richard you’re joining the likes of Stella and Furtz in chastizing me and making me out to be fool.
Why would I lie about speaking French 55% of the time?
And, did you know, that in a recent LFA meeting, my wife and I spoke French to each other?
And there were several witnesses to this scenario as well. Imagine that?
Please in your future allegations, would you at least have the decency to not engage in presumptuous statements or to hint that I am a liar.
An asshole perhaps; but a liar indeed I am not.
@Eric. You are correct. It was Eric Little who wrote the letter whining about seeing a fleur de lys on a Cornwall church website. Sometimes I get the whiners mixed up.
http://www.cbc.ca/player/Radio/Local+Shows/Maritimes/ID/2398889148/
Thanks Highlander. I listened to Joyce’s radio interview. In my humble opinion, she makes all valid arguments towards the issue.
People need to listen to this interview.
Furtz
July 31, 2013 at 7:30 pm
” I can assure you Mr. Cameron, that most of the people on this planet would happily trade their problems for yours.”
So is that to say lets not strive for equality in Canada ?
Strive to improve those conditions in Canada so to ensure ALL are equal in the eyes of the Government ie;government hires and language services provided.
Richard tremblay
August 1, 2013 at 6:24 am
“I might be wrong but I doubt it. If I was in his shoes i’d be a little more thankful. The guy seems to be living a decent normal life with the love of his life. Isn’t that enough ?”
I hadn’t realized you were at the post office to observe the conversation and thereby have the right to lay judgement on the proceedings on this occurrence!
Isn’t that enough?
The same could be said of language hiring 65% bilingual hiring, ISN’T THAT ENOUGH .
What? you are not thankful if it were applied as representation by population?
Bilingual services ,but what? ISN’T THAT ENOUGH -no not for you you want segregation .
Why isn’t bilingual services enough ?In that you want segregated services … like you said Richard.. If i were in your shoes Id be a little more thankful .
This is about language apartheid and Isn’t that enough ?
I too can quote awesome wordsmiths. (Not that Mr. Slater is a wordsmith, but if someone tells him what to say, that man can string ’em together like nobodies business. And he’s easy on the eyes to boot!)
“Assumptions are dangerous things to make, and like all dangerous things to make — bombs, for instance, or strawberry shortcake — if you make even the tiniest mistake you can find yourself in terrible trouble. Making assumptions simply means believing things are a certain way with little or no evidence that shows you are correct, and you can see at once how this can lead to terrible trouble. For instance, one morning you might wake up and make the assumption that your bed was in the same place that it always was, even though you would have no real evidence that this was so. But when you got out of your bed, you might discover that it had floated out to sea, and now you would be in terrible trouble all because of the incorrect assumption that you’d made. You can see that it is better not to make too many assumptions, particularly in the morning.”
Lemony Snicket, the Austere Academy
highlander wrote: Many of the groups on facebook and other social media; I and others are increasingly hearing people talk of the possibility of civil war
Isn’t that wonderful folks? CIVIL WAR WOW THAT IS GREAT!!!! We will soon be doing like they are doing in the middle east….killing each other because the majority want to rule.
WE MUST FIGHT FOR OUR RIGHTS…..
Furtz….I agree!!!
When one wants to see their name continuously showing up on blogs….they should face the consequences, otherwise, stay out of the limelight.
@Furtz……..Have a great time in Ottawa on Friday.
While you are there, would you have time to go to a pet store to check out if the English parrots are being deported? If it is happening in Montreal……we must stop it before it happens in Ontario.
You see folks, more inconsequential making fun of’s by the likes of Stella and company.
By the way, I received in writing today the results of the investigation by the Language Commissioner’s Office concerning my Post Office visit.
So Cory, are you going to keep us in suspense?
Quick question for you. I see that you never submit letters to the local Timmins paper about your difficulties living there. How come?
I will not be giving out details of the letter. Those members of LFA and CLF will be granted access to the letter should they wish so.
I have submitted LTE’s to the local Timmins papers – but they’ve never been printed.
Oh come on Cory. After sharing in detail the abuse you endured at the post office, and your complaint to the Commissioner of Official Languages, you are going to keep secret their response? I guess we’ll have to assume that you didn’t get the response you were hoping for.
Has The Timmins Daily Press given you a reason why they rejected the letters you submitted? Usually small town papers are more than happy and willing to publish letters that aren’t libelous or abusive from local people.
“Oh come on Cory. After sharing in detail the abuse you endured at the post office, and your complaint to the Commissioner of Official Languages, you are going to keep secret their response? I guess we’ll have to assume that you didn’t get the response you were hoping for.”
Yes I would rather not discuss their response. You see, I’m taking HFTT’s advice here. I’m thinking maybe he’s right; why should I have made public the fact that I lodged an official complaint to the Language Commissioner if not wanting to be chastized or praised?
For me, as I have stated before on this forum, I was torn about what to do as in a course of action. I didn’t want to waste taxpayers money in a government office that I believe shouldn’t exist in the first place but on the other hand this type of thing has happened to me at least a couple of dozen of times. And really, all I wanted was an explanation as to why she didn’t speak English. Which, the reasoning given in a strange way makes sense. I was glad to be done with it.
But for me to elaborate will only bring more undue stress. So, respectfully, I’d rather not subjugate myself to any more.
“Has The Timmins Daily Press given you a reason why they rejected the letters you submitted? Usually small town papers are more than happy and willing to publish letters that aren’t libelous or abusive from local people.”
No they haven’t. As well, my MP and MPP have not written back as to my concerns about other issues.
stella and Furtz, do you think if the whiners just went away things would be magically better? The whiners on each side are just trying to have a better life, one has more government help to do that than the other though. So perhaps by doing away with some government rules things could improve.
@ Cory; I found this post on facebook & thought I’d share it here. Again, this proves the problem is systemic…
“So I have been communicating with a Mr. Lionel Levert through the office of the Commissioner of Languages in NB in regards to a complaint that I had filed a few weeks ago about their online complaint form (of all things!)
When I had been filling out the form, there was a drop-down instruction box that came up in french only on the english form, so I was not impressed.
Mr. Levert was very courteous & professional. I spoke with him at depth on the phone & have been exchanging emails.
During our phone conversation, I asked him, purely out of curiousity, what the percentage was of bilingual Anglophones vs. bilingual francophones employes by the office of the Commissioner,,, I’d like to share his response to that question..
Dear Ms. Tidd,
I have now completed my investigation on the situation raised in your complaint, and all I wanted to discuss with you over the phone, and it can just as easily be done through this e-mail, is that the Office of the Commissioner of Official Languages realized that you had indeed raised a good point and were absolutely right in pointing out that the English online form for filing complaints online had a problem and did in fact, to their great surprise, provide some of the explanations in French only. I was told yesterday that the problem has now been resolved.
Also, I wanted to let you know, as I had undertaken to do, that the Office of the Commissioner of Official Languages has 171 employees altogether. Out of those positions, 170 are bilingual. The ratio between anglophones and francophones is 25 % (anglophones) and 75% (francophones).
I will be sending you an official “closing” e-mail later on today.
If you have any questions, you can contact me by e-mail and, if need be, I can contact you subsequently by telephone to provide further clarifications, at a time that would be convenient for you.
Thanks for your cooperation.
Lionel Levert
My response:
Hello Mr. Levert,
I apologize once again for my tardy response.
I’ve read your previous reply & am satisfied with the action taken in regards to the online form. I appreciate your investigation into this matter.
I am concerned, however, with the ratio of Anglophones to Francophones employed within the office of the Commissioner of Languages. In a province that is 2/3 Anglophone, one would think that the ratio would, at the very least, be 50/50? Isn’t that what the French community demand of all other government departments?
I do believe that this issue may just warrant an official complaint directly to their office once again. I will be sharing this information with members of several groups of Anglophone New Brunswickers & will be encouraging them to do the same.
Once again, I’d like to thank you for your courtesy & prompt attention to my complaints.
Sincerely,
Pam Tidd
His response:
Hi Ms. Tidd,
Please note that we are talking here about the federal Office of the Commissioner of Official Languages whose mandate is for the whole country and not only for your province. That said, I do realize that the ratio between Anglophones and Francophones in the Office of the Commissioner of Official Languages does not correspond to the ratio of Anglophones and Francophones in the country, but one must keep in mind that all their positions, except for one, are (and have to be, given their mandate) bilingual imperative, which means that the people hired to occupy those bilingual positions have to be able to work in both English and French from the day they are hired.
Take care.
Lionel Levert
My response:
I understand that they are all meant to be able to represnt both linguistic communities but I do not (nor would many other Anglophones especially in NB & Quebec where the Anglos are now discriminated against) feel that my complaints would be examined justly & without bias by a bilingual Francophone..
The ratio is unfair & were the situation reversed, you cannot argue that there would be an outcry from the French population.
so… I would encourage everyone to file complaints to their very office as this is not fair representation to the Anglophone population of NB & certainly not for Quebec!!”
ok, I’m guessing the response is the following: We thank you for your concern, we are sorry you felt offended. Had you asked to be receive service in english, your requested would probably have been granted.
– and I will add something in french: ¨il ne faut pas créer une tempête dans un verre d’eau. ¨
@ Cory. I don’t know how long you’ve lived in Timmins, but considering that 40% of the population is Francophone, why would you be surprised or outraged that you have been spoken to in French a couple of dozen of times? In all seriousness, I don’t understand why you would live there if being spoken to in French causes you so much distress. There are countless towns and cities all over Canada where hardly any French is spoken.
As far as you being ignored by your local MP and MPP, and the local papers refusing to publish your letters, do you have any ideas why this would be?
Eric…….JUST DO WHAT YOU HAVE TO DO WITHOUT INSTIGATING, CAJOLING AND DISRUPTING THE ENTIRE NATION.
Can’t you guys do this? If you all feel that your claims are justified, organize yourselves better and in a professional way, get it done.
What is disgusting is, this language nightmare started as a local issue, which by the way was never proven to be discriminatory. Had the accusations been challenged at the time, win or lose, the language issue would have been settled one way or the other….nipped in the bud. It would have never got this far. Had you won, it would have set a precedent for all of Ontario.
By not challenging the CCH hiring practises, this blew the door wide open for galganov, to jump right in there and pass himself as the savior to a small group who seemed somewhat lost at the time…..since then the BS never stopped.
Love the storm in a glass of water concept Richard, but each concern is a penny and it takes 100 to make a dollar.
So 171 people in one department, the updated number from their website is 163.
The Office of the Commissioner has a budget of $23.9 million to support it in its mandate for 2013–2014. This amount includes $15.1 million in salaries, or 72% of the main budget. Our workforce consists of 163 full-time equivalents.
The expenditures planned for 2013–2014 take into account the loan of $2.8 million from the Treasury Board to pay for the cost of moving our offices to Gatineau. This relocation will allow us to streamline our operations and examine the possibility of sharing resources with other agents of Parliament who will be located under the same roof.
Our operations are divided into three program activities: protection of Canadians’ language rights, promotion of linguistic duality and internal services.
Richard tremblay
August 2, 2013 at 8:20 am
“ok, I’m guessing the response is the following…”
tsk tsk there you go again. I guess I get to play too.
“If others tell us something we make assumptions, and if they don’t tell us something we make assumptions to fulfill our need to know and to replace the need to communicate. Even if we hear something and we don’t understand we make assumptions about what it means and then believe the assumptions. We make all sorts of assumptions because we don’t have the courage to ask questions.”
― Miguel Ruiz, The Four Agreements: A Practical Guide to Personal Freedom
stellabystarlight, how can we expect the government and courts to address this issue? Over time, one law after another was put in, each building of the other to the point where our Courts say it is OK to remove freedom of expression, for something so “trivial”, to business owners in currently, 4 townships. Politicians escape around the first sound of putting a vote in jeopardy as it is too “controversial”.
And stellabystarlight, “THE ENTIRE NATION” needs to be disrupted out of a mindset of appeasement. “THE ENTIRE NATION” needs to have an unbiased conversation without all of the emotion tied to this issue.
Have a great Colonel By Day in Ottawa, George Hamilton Day in Hamilton, Joseph Brant Day in Burlington, Founders’ Day in Brantford, McLaughlin Day in Oshawa, Alexander Mackenzie Day in Sarnia, James Cockburn Day in Cobourg, Peter Robinson Day in Peterborough, and John Galt Day in Guelph, and Simcoe Day in Toronto.
stellabystarlight August 2, 2013 at 8:53 am
” What is disgusting is, this language nightmare started as a local issue, which by the way was never proven to be discriminatory”
Yes stella this is a language nightmare not just locally but systemically.
So 100% bilingual hiring at the eastern Ontario health unit is not discriminatory,CCAC 80% + ,CANADA POST near 100% ,courts 80+ %,the list goes on all of this to serve 20% and or that 545 French only people.
Those numbers in hiring do not lie ,and this is just not a local issue but NATION WIDE ,ENGLISH PEOPLE ARE STARTING TO WAKE UP TO THIS LANGUAGE APARTHEID.
” By not challenging the CCH hiring practises,”
It was challenged a number of times from the united counties ,South Stormont ,and even Provincialy each time it was buried.
Madam Mieliur even admitted to the media that CCH went beyond the mandate but even after 3000 signitures ,the provincial government chose not to address it.
The REALITY IS THE SYSTEM IS CORRUPT!
DID YOU SEE THE LANGUAGE COMMISSIONERS RESPONSE OF 75% OF THEIR EMPLOYEES WHERE FRANCOPHONE?
THIS IS NOT A COINCIDENCE BUT A REALITY IN ALL FEDERAL POAITIONS,AND NOW PROVINCIAL.
RE: POST on August 2, 2013 at 8:15 am by concerned citizen2
Your post contained the following quote”
My response:
I understand that they are all meant to be able to represnt both linguistic communities but I do not (nor would many other Anglophones especially in NB & Quebec where the Anglos are now discriminated against) feel that my complaints would be examined justly & without bias by a bilingual Francophone..
The ratio is unfair & were the situation reversed, you cannot argue that there would be an outcry from the French population.”
http://youtu.be/6E_BgxHZVFI?t=48s
I suggest this demonstrates EVERYTHING WE NEED TO KNOW and ALREADY KNOW about what is really going on.
IT also clearly demonstrates that these exact types of arguments and complaints are VERY VERY COMMON among the MAJORITY Anglophone population of this country —
(which no doubt includes many that have not been formalized like this one in an actual official manner)
This brings me to Eric’s post on August 2, 2013 at 7:16 am Eric wrote, “stella and Furtz, do you think if the whiners just went away things would be magically better? The whiners on each side are just trying to have a better life, one has more government help to do that than the other though. So perhaps by doing away with some government rules things could improve.”
Nothing against you Eric as i realize you were dumbing things down (i say this only because those in question have proven this is necessary through their own meant to insight style none productive ramblings in many posts) for your targeted audience but, i would say (and i am sure you would agree), there is definitely more to the Anglophone side of this than something that needs a simple whining form of re-action.
I would suggest that this “issue” has gone WAY WAY past a sort of “simple annoyance” (– when the French powers that be — took over Quebec)
into a MUCH MORE serious situation which actually involves human rights violations and the newly envisioned idea of — the French powers that be – having decided they would continue and “take over” other areas outside of Quebec and into the rest of the COUNTRY OF CANADA).
This MUST be examined VERY closely and dealt with swiftly and intelligently and the — MAJORITY — Anglophone population in this country must act with the same conviction of saving the English language and culture IN CANADA as French did when they were working to save the French language and the French culture in the province of Quebec.. THIS IS NOT A GAME A JOKE or “a simple annoyance.”
In other words, considering the severity of what IS ACTUALLY GOING ON HERE whining may not too effective or productive 🙂
EVERYONE (including those who just read these posts)
Think about what is really going on in CANADA RIGHT NOW and spread the word.
The French powers that be in the “province of Quebec, Canada” have pretty much made the English Language (and essentially the English culture) illegal within a province inside the country of Canada. (I shake my head in utter disbelief that our federal government has allowed this to happen)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lZwHOVPCLIw&hd=1 (nice way to show their appreciation for someone that facilitated the survival of the French language in Quebec, CANADA eh?)
http://youtu.be/FOJDcKAxKIk?t=6s (too much English in a newsletter?)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y2Qs5SgyhUE&hd=1 (100 English schools)
At the same time any French communities that sprout up — in areas of CANADA OUTSIDE the province of Quebec — end demand bilingualism but seem to end up with
French first
Embrun, ONTARIO)
https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-uiXmAIFkRC4/UTYV7Pzv4cI/AAAAAAAAAco/-4y3P4DmNKY/w718-h410-no/Enbrun+-+poste+de+pompiers.png
PROVING THAT, there is ZERO interest in what is generally stated to be the common “stated goal” which is said to be bilingualism and accommodation for both languages
French dominant
(as this man from Cornwall illustrates)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gxag3tVJg3A&hd=1
and ultimately
French ONLY as part of the every day way of dealing with that communities affairs
(Hawkesbury, ONTARIO)
https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-Thhc4eP1CrI/URPkKWiGDyI/AAAAAAAAAbA/mb22ggGNO3s/w1047-h785-no/08-05-12+-+French+sign+-+Hawksburry+Ontario+01.JPG
throughout many parts of Canada.
THIS should PROVE, without a doubt, to anyone witnessing this that “bilingualism” is only a “buzz word”
(like accommodation was back in the day)
that is tossed around and used as a pretense which is meant to lower everyone’s guard enough in order to go on to accomplishing the TRUE goal which is French only areas.
After all, if they came out and blatantly said, we want to force French to be the ONLY language in as many areas of this country as possible, EVERYONE would be up in arms and they wouldn’t accomplish their goal..
So, as a smart way (yes, i admit it is smart but that doesn’t mean it has to be accepted) they are saying… “all we want is bilingual and our language to be accepted and accommodated all across Canada.”
Which in effect is — a well documented and proven lie and a con– and we MUST wake up that reality.
French ONLY health care clinics
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-kE4fwEjiH3s/UHhZQe2DoaI/AAAAAAAAAQo/sb4KAWWnoIE/w560-h785-no/Medical+Clinic.jpg
Montfort hospital (French ONLY for all intents and purposes)
https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-cWstByW0f-0/UGfyfSW_ipI/AAAAAAAAAEY/yEf_oG8020U/w624-h785-no/Montfort+-+French+-+B.jpg
https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-u6NEe7AYBTw/UfvkaRbMPqI/AAAAAAAAAs8/nYV4EMxxa-I/w1056-h785-no/Montfort+-+French+ONLY.jpg
Ottawa U (French ONLY for all intents and purposes)
http://youtu.be/abOWJkf-Vh8?t=8m19s
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XiMciGy2vkk&hd=1 (yes, we are all in favor of bilingualism but, why does having a strong French presence mean having no English presence at all” – Jaclyn Lytle –
NOTE: These newspaper articles and video clips ARE NOT fabricated lies. There are generally everyday CANADIAN people telling ALL OF US what is going on. It is time we listen to them and act in their defense
and in the spirit of this concept.
Then they came for the socialists,
and I didn’t speak out because I wasn’t a socialist.
Then they came for the trade unionists,
and I didn’t speak out because I wasn’t a trade unionist.
Then they came for me,
and there was no one left to speak for me.
Because, don’t ever forget
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ChV93gK3o8Q&hd=1
Stella: Just relax. It will happen 😉
Oh please, edudyorlik. There’s no need for you guys to “dumb things down” for the benefit of me or Stella. If fact, if you guys dumb things down any further, your arguments will be reduced to grunting and thumping your chests.
OK then Furtz, try countering (intelligently and with FACTS) anything i said and pointed out about what is really happening in this country…
I promise i will consider your counter arguments (if any are possible) with integrity.
Sorry edudyorlik, but I get along with French people just fine, and quite enjoy living in Canada. I know it’s infuriating to you hard-core freedom-fighters, but there are some people who are more concerned with other issues, like the obscene levels of homelessness and poverty that are getting worse every year.
Hey bella, what happened to your -b?
Ah yes, when it’s an issue you’re not fighting for yourself, deflecting sure works fine doesn’t it Furtz?
That’s OK, i am gaining quite a comfort level from your simple, deflecting (as you have done here), ignoring, and antagonizing ways that demonstrate not much of anything valid so, why go and spoil your image.
Damn, can anyone help me figure out how to multitask around here?
Have a nice feed the world kind of day eh 🙂
I did a little pc cleanup edud, and had to rely on memory to log back in everywhere. lol With or without the -b, there really is no mistaking who I am is there? 😉
LoL
BIG — Friendly smile bella. No no … There is no mistaking you my dear… (of course i am assuming you are female. You should know that when i looked up bella it said, “she’s the most beautiful girl you will ever see. Every feature that she posseses is engraved in your mind from the second you lay eyes on her)
So you are also world renowned as well 😉
As for mistaking your posts. Naw never… how could i? Your posts never contain odd doublespeak like
— “the English are the best treated minority anywhere.”
OR,
— “Quebec puts more into the federal coffers than they get back.”
OR, perhaps one of the best of all,
“The English are not being forced to learn French.”
So, i take it your computer little “pc cleanup” had something to do with the reason we didn’t have your wise input and company for a little while then?
Just a little FYI public notice just in case some are not aware.
For those links you come across like this one…
French ONLY health care clinics
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-kE4fwEjiH3s/UHhZQe2DoaI/AAAAAAAAAQo/sb4KAWWnoIE/w560-h785-no/Medical+Clinic.jpg
You can right click on them and then select
— open in a new tab —
OR
— open in a new window —
which will leave this window waiting here at this very spot for you after you have finished reading the article or looking at the picture in the other tab or other window.
Also, in this particular case with this kind of “picture” type link. Once it is open in the other tab or window you can hold the control button and either press the plus sign + or the minus sign – and this will zoom in or out (those with a scrollie button can hold control and scroll and get the same effect.)
That way if it a newspaper article and YOU DO want to read more, you have that option. I realize most people only scan the first line or two but, what the heck.
Oh and,
for those who already knew this and are thinking of writing, “yeah yeah, we are not morons. We get it.”
Don’t bother as i have already done it for you 🙂
For those who found this useful. I am glad to share as it only took me a few seconds to type it 😉
Dear members of all language rights groups nationwide,
LFA website is now posting a blog that will contain up to date stories as they become available having to do with bilingualism. You are encouraged to visit and check it out. I will be moderating the comments and I would like to see it as a forum for ideas on how to approach our governments on this issue.
Thanks in advance,
Cory