Replies

It's jerks like this who ignite the Separatist feelings in Quebec and fan the flames of the old movement to want a country ripped in two.
Connards! Leave it alone for God's sakes. It's been so nice and quiet these past 10 years. Big deal if Les Feds require bilingualism in all offices across the country. I've gotten used to it. Alors quoi?

Are you for real?

Don't rock the boat?
Don't rock it now that almost every Federal Gov. employee is a French person from Quebec?
Now that English Canadian people can't even get a retail job in Ottawa?
Now that business owners in some parts of Eastern Ontario are being FORCED to display their signage in French as well as English?
Now that the cost of “official” bilingualism to our country runs about $1.8 Billion a year?

Canada's Cost of Official Bilingualism: $1.8 billion per year
http://www.us-english.org/view/655

We should have stopped this 20 years ago. If not now, WHEN?

You seem bitter and angry. I will assume it's solely the jobs and expenses that have you so obviously hot under the collar? Regardless, I'll try my best to explain my own personal opinions.

I happen to be one of those Canadians who loves Quebec and its French speaking culture, and I don't even live there. Furthermore, I believe that our relationship between the English and French languages is one of the defining aspects of the Canadian "zeitgeist". It is not without its problems. As race is to Americans, and class is to the Brits, I think that language is at or near the center of what the rest of the world sees as our being uniquely Canadian. We are well-known internationally for our peace-keeping skills, as conflict negotiators, and as arbitrators, etc. This stems from a rich history of living peacefully with those who are different.

Most of all, however, I don't want to see this great country succumb to hatred, split in two, and end up sliding into the genocidal swamp of a Bosnia/Serbia. In order for two different cultures to live together harmoniously, concessions are necessary. And yes, it gets expensive. In my opinion, the money you mentioned is money well-spent. While it may seem high to many of us now, the coming Canadian debt and monetary crisis will certainly cure the abuses; in not only this issue, but in the entire governmental system.

As far as work goes, most Federal jobs outside of Quebec demand bilingualism, yes. Are the people selected for those positions smarter than uni-English workers, or uni-French workers? Yes, they are. Smart enough to work hard and do whatever it takes to be successful.....and becoming fluently bilingual IS hard work. I applaud them, and suggest we hold them up as models of Canadian industriousness and a challenge to our education system.

Respond if you will, but we're definitely of opposing views.