SOCIAL: PROPOSED POLICY CHANGES/ FRENCH LANGUAGE IN CANADA

 

SUBJECT:  FRENCH LANGUAGE IN CANADA

PURPOSE:  This briefing note is a recommendation for changes in policy pertaining to the use of French as a second language. 

ISSUE:  There is not enough action for the promotion or encouragement for the use of French as a second language.

Background:

The English and French have been through bitter disputes not only for contested territory but the way of life here in Canada especially the use of official language.  Language is a symbol of culture and it is the primary way by which people socialize into society which is why there has been great debate not only from the colonizers of Canada but from modern political actors as well.  Since the inception of what is currently called, “Canada,” there have been three main groups that have fought tooth and nail to get recognition.  These are the English, French and the Indigenous peoples.  For the purposes of this brief, we will zone in on the English/ French relations.  Canada was once a colony of Britain and to this day, many of the British traditions and customs have been handed down to contemporary Canada.  Such is the case with the Crown.  The Crown represents the government, a parliamentary system based on the Westminster model of Britain.  It is the parliament of Canada which creates laws and passes them through three readings.  This is the legacy that Britain left Canada when they decided to decolonize the country.  The French on the other hand, were traditionally viewed by British as subordinates.  English colonizers treated the French as if they were second class citizens.  Furthermore, they attacked them as they viewed them as clinging on to ancient prejudices, customs and laws.  These merciless attacks caused many casualties.  The French consistently fought for their influence in Upper and Lower British North America.  The English believed they were superior as they pushed liberalism throughout the New World.  They were interested in creating national unity.  This national unity was the assimilation to the English culture and the destruction of the French way of living.  The Quebecois soon began to want many of the same things the English promoted for their culture therefore the French began to protect their language, faith and culture along the banks of the St.  Lawrence.  They furthered their agenda by adopting Bill 1010 to protect the French language.  The French eventually transformed into a secular, commercial and busting society.  Law in Quebec is based on civil law and this is the legacy that Quebec has brought to the country.  It’s the maintenance of the Quebec way of life which has served to allow the indigenous to thrive.  Had the duality of the English and French not existed, the indigenous would have no recourse.  It is because of the duality which allowed English, French and indigenous cultures to coexist.

Considerations:

Socialization is the process whereby an individual learns to adjust to a group and thereby behaves in a manner approved by that group.  This is the reasons why the English and French have had bitter debates.  Socialization is they way these groups influence public opinion.  Through language, the method of socialization can then be executed.  Thereby, language plays a main role in influencing people.  The reason why the English and French sought to influence people in Upper and Lower British North America was none other than to simply keep authority over their colonized territories.  In modern Canada, this is still evident as Quebec clings on to their provincial boundaries.  Through the use of the French language, they are able to keep their population concerned over French matters which then results in a more unified French culture.  The English and French dispute in modern history had resulted in a referendum in 1995.  The Quebec referendum is like a symptom that relations between the English and French could be rectified.  This referendum was a vote for Quebec separation from Canada which resulted in Quebec remaining as a province of the state.  But the fact that this referendum even occurred is an indication that the French are very serious about what it is they have preserved since their time on the banks of the St.  Lawrence.  The status for the two languages, English and French were enforced by the Official Languages Act of 1969 and then furthered by the 1982 Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms.  In Quebec the Charter of the French Language or Bill 101 is the law in the province of Quebec that defines the use of the French language.  These laws are in place to safeguard the identity and the history of the country.  Being Canadian means to be respective and considerate of the English, French and the indigenous.  It is these identities that have shaped the contemporary Canada that we live in today.  However, there is a real and substantial threat to this.  It exists and persists through the proponents of multiculturalism.  Multiculturalism can be defined as the ethnocultural diversity arising out of immigration together with public policies designed to accommodate it, it is a subset of cultural pluralism.  What multiculturalism in modern Canada has produced are ethnic enclaves the serve to display the territory of other cultures.  It erases the heritage and identity of Canada.  The identity that has created the liberal values we all hold so dear.  It is these enclaves that bring a part of people’s country of origin to Canada.  What is brought sometimes is not compatible.  Without going to too much detail, some of these traditions, customs and beliefs serve to paralyze the progress of English/ French/ indigenous Canada.  For example, some enclaves display signage in languages that are other than English or French.  This alienates the rest of the population who adhere to the constitutional language provisions.  Through multiculturalism, it is true that there are more thinkers which could produce more results however, the draw back is the loss of identity.  The loss of the meaning of being Canadian and the accommodation of other cultures.  Canada needs to be more active in promoting the constitutional languages.  It is these languages that have created the civility that we Canadians ho so dear.  It is civility that brought about the concept of the rule of law.  If Canada looses touch of this, perhaps we leave the country free for exploit.  It was these exploits that the colonizers used to conquer the country.  Yet why does Canada insist in leaving these exploits open?  Perhaps they believe in the immigrants.  But if one looks at the country of origin, it becomes comes clear that they immigrated for specific reasons.  Why is it then that these immigrants insist in bringing customs, traditions and culture into Canada rather than assimilating?  Immigrants taking what they liked from their country of origin could very well result in a better quality of life for these immigrants but does it do anything to progress the English/ French and indigenous cultures?  For arguments sake, what immigrants have serves as a way for English/ French/ indigenous to learn and improve on what they evidently created, Canada.  Therefore, immigrants should be socialized to bring those things that progress the Canadian agenda.  This is already done through citizenship, but why though are there still outbursts such as attacks still present.  Perhaps a more rigid policy must be in place when concerning immigrants and refugees.  Canada needs to seriously take a look at what the English and French language has created in Canada.  As mentioned, language is the primary method of socialization.  But it is also the root of civility and it is this where the rule of law came to exist.

Options: 

Option 1:  Mandate French second language course till grade 12.

French is currently not mandated as a necessary course.  By making it mandatory, Canada will ensure that students can have better chances of entering post-secondary studies.  This option then gives students equity as they will have more access.  By making French mandatory till grade 12, it will not only appease the French resistance but will also give the French equality.  Meaning they are being treated equally with the English.  This option is also sustainable as it will serve to keep the peace between the English and French.  It will also ensure that Canadians can travel anywhere in the country and be able to communicate adequately with their fellow citizens. 

Option 2:  Have a more rigorous policy for citizenship.

Canada is considered a place where the standard of living is very high.  Other cultures on the other hand are struggling to meet these standards.  Some cultures are very poor and it is this poverty that breads cruelty.  The cruelty of these cultures can impact the Canadian standards of living.  Canadians need to be aware and learn how to manage these cruelty.  By having a more rigorous citizenship procedure, Canada can effectively control who they accept as citizens.  Citizens can also learn to adjust to the Canadian standard.  However, what is done via traditional citizenship courses is not enough.  These potential immigrants must be engineered to care about others.  Through social engineering, potential immigrants can replace these cruel customs, traditions and culture for the Canadian culture.  There are currently programs which serve to impact grey matter in the brain and discretely input suggestions into a person’s psyche.  Through programming, people would be less likely to cause conflict in society.  This option is the least feasible because it would require a total reconstruction of the citizenship program.  This is a tremendous task that requires a large taskforce of professionals.  However, this option is potentially the most sustainable.  This will reduce conflict in the society.  By reducing conflict, Canada, can ensure equity.  People will receive equity in that they are protected from harm. 

Option 3:  Ensure academic literature are available in both English and French.

This is not a feasible option and it is very costly.  It is expensive because translators must be hired to translate between languages.  However, by having literature available in both languages, equity is given to both the English and French.  This means that whatever literature they may be looking for in this state can be available to them if they so choose.  By having literature available in both English and French, Canada is looking out for the equality of these nations.

Option 4:  Status quo:  Not working which is why we have options. 

This is the most feasible option however, tensions will remain high between the English and the French.  Selecting this option doesn’t do anything for peace in Canada as these parties will continue to have bitter debates about the way of life in Canada.  This option is also not considerate of equality.  The current way language is administered greatly privileges the English.  This is not a sustainable option as conflict in Canada with regards to language will continue.

Recommendation:

Option one is recommended.