Anti-English discrimination in Quebec

[Pardalis]

The reason this is such a big issue is that this situation did not always exist. These problems began to arise ever since the Charter of the French Language was implemented in 1977(Bill 101)

Did you know prior to Bill 101, English was the language of business and government?

We couldn't speak French in our own province in administrative places and in the work place.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Commis...ench_Language_and_Linguistic_Rights_in_Quebec

 

[Canadian712]

French is not the problem. I understand the fact that French is better suited for some jobs after all, it's a Francophone province. All I'm saying is that since Quebec is part of Canada, there should be equal amount of jobs available for both ethnicities, whilst keeping French as the first language. Also, if I read correctly, the report states that English is a "national language" in Quebec(don't know what that's supposed to mean though). Bottom line, I'm not saying scrap Bill 101 completely, only the area in which English language education is restricted.

"Because if so, I can't really sympathize. Hospitals "discriminate" against people who didn't go to medical school too, but I don't see a problem with that."
That's simply because they're not qualified for the job. An anglo can be qualified for the job, meet the specific requirements and still not get it. Of course, this is not to say that ALL of Montreal is like this, but some parts are.

 

[Madalch]

Secondly, aren't all Canadians taught French & English?

No. When I was in school in Alberta, I was -never- required to take a single class in French. I took it as an option, until I realized that I wasn't learning anything from the classes, and took different options.

In BC, my kids are enrolled in a French-immersion school, so I haven't bothered to check to see if French is required or not.

 

[Pardalis]

If you're looking for a job, this means you already have an education.

I think there is no issue with your language, but with your attitude. Maybe employers sense that you have an attitude problem, that there's a negative vibe coming from you. Employers don't like recalcitrant people.

That's simply because they're not qualified for the job. An anglo can be qualified for the job, meet the specific requirements and still not get it.

Well if the job requires you to communicate with the population, then not speaking a word of French can be a problem. If you're qualified, they'll take you.

 

[Loss Leader]

My advice is to stay in the Dollard area. It's pretty solidly anglo.

However, my wife is from Montreal and I absolutely hate it there. People who can speak english but pretend not to should be placed onto school busses, driven to Yellowknife, forced to eat there, and then driven to Toronto and forced to make their own way home from there.

 

[Pardalis]

My advice is to stay in the Dollard area. It's pretty solidly anglo.

Yes, you can spend a whole lifetime there without speaking a word of French, if social isolation is your kind of thing.

 

[Canadian712]

I only express my feelings with people close to me such as friends or family members. Much like everyone else, I fake happy expressions when I'm in an interview. But again, not all anglos experience this problem.

But I think some more serious issues need to be discussed, like using lies and racism to boost up support for sovereignty.

 

[Pardalis]

Already changing the subject I see.

 

[D'rok]

All I'm saying is that since Quebec is part of Canada, there should be equal amount of jobs available for both ethnicities...

Why on earth do you think that? This is sheer hypocrisy by you. No other province is required or expected to provide equal numbers of francophone jobs. If you are francophone and want to work in another province, you will have no choice but to learn English. Why should Quebec provide an equal number of anglophone jobs? You are embarrassing yourself and your fellow anglos.

Suck it up, buttercup. Be thankful that you and your children (assuming you have some) live in a city where bilingualism is a real possibility. You have a gigantic advantage over the unilingual Canadian majority.

 

[D'rok]

No. When I was in school in Alberta, I was -never- required to take a single class in French. I took it as an option, until I realized that I wasn't learning anything from the classes, and took different options.

In BC, my kids are enrolled in a French-immersion school, so I haven't bothered to check to see if French is required or not.

French as a requirement started in Alberta when I was in grade 4. (Shudders to think how long ago that was).

I took French from grade 4-12 plus 1st year university...and I'm still not bilingual. Immersion is the only solution.

 

[rwguinn]

I only express my feelings with people close to me such as friends or family members. Much like everyone else, I fake happy expressions when I'm in an interview. But again, not all anglos experience this problem.

But I think some more serious issues need to be discussed, like using lies and racism to boost up support for sovereignty.

I wish we in the US could figure out a way to charge for our major export--irrationality.
We'd pay off that debt in a hurry!

 

[Pardalis]

Suck it up, buttercup. Be thankful that you and your children (assuming you have some) live in a city where bilingualism is a real possibility. You have a gigantic advantage over the unilingual Canadian majority.

I went to Ottawa last year, and I was very happy to see how fluent and easy communication was over there. Everybody switched back and forth from English to French and vice-versa with no problem whatsoever, it was like second nature.

 

[Madalch]

French as a requirement started in Alberta when I was in grade 4. (Shudders to think how long ago that was).

I took French from grade 4-12 plus 1st year university...and I'm still not bilingual. Immersion is the only solution.

I was under the impression that you were older than I. Odd. It wasn't required before 1988, when I finished high school, nor was it required at my university over the next four years.

Perhaps the requirement was set by your school board, rather than at the provincial level.

 

[D'rok]

I went to Ottawa last year, and I was very happy to see how fluent and easy communication was over there. Everybody switched back and forth from English to French and vice-versa with no problem whatsoever, it was like second nature.

I know! I'm totally jealous. I wish I was raised here. My comprehension has improved dramatically since moving here, but I still can't speak worth a damn.

 

[D'rok]

I was under the impression that you were older than I. Odd. It wasn't required before 1988, when I finished high school, nor was it required at my university over the next four years.

I also finished high school in 1988. Maybe I'm conflating the requirements of my school board with province-wide requirements. I have a memory of it being a provincial thing, but I could easily be mistaken.

ETA: Just missed your edit. Probably right.

 

[Canadian712]

D' rok,

Francophones should have rights in those provinces too. Everyone should have their own piece of the pie. If French is an official language in Canada, Francos should be allowed to have their services provided to them in French, as well as their own hospitals, schools and what have you. The Francophone majority in Quebec needs to be respected, no question.

Pardalis,

I'm not changing the subject, because sovereignty and French language extremism tend to go hand in hand(I'm referring to all the anti-English laws legislations).

 

[Canadian712]

Sorry, i meant anti-English legislations

 

[D'rok]

D' rok,

Francophones should have rights in those provinces too. Everyone should have their own piece of the pie. If French is an official language in Canada, Francos should be allowed to have their services provided to them in French, as well as their own hospitals, schools and what have you. The Francophone majority in Quebec needs to be respected, no question.

You just jumped from jobs to services. That's called moving the goalposts.

Most jobs are private sector. How do you propose to force the private sector to create equal numbers of franco/anglo jobs? It's only the federal public service that can realistically get away with that.

 

[Pardalis]

I'm not changing the subject, because sovereignty and French language extremism tend to go hand in hand(I'm referring to all the anti-English laws legislations).

Call it what you will, those are two different subjects. If you want to rant against everything French, go ahead, I won't entertain your little personal war.

 

[Almo]

I've been in Quebec for 5 years now, and am slowly coming to grips with French. It's been a bit of a damper on opportunities at my place of work, which is a French company based in Paris. But work documents are officially supposed to be in English, and a few stalwart Quebecers won't do it.

I'm of two minds on the situation. I don't mind that they want to preserve French in thier province. I support that. But this is Canada, in which English is an official language. So when I call the government about my Quebec taxes and find out that the person will not speak to me in English, I get mad.

My problem with learning French is the massive disconnect between how it's written and how it's spoken. I can read French pretty well now, but I still can't understand spoken French.