Like many states in the Western world, Québec isn't having enough babies to sustain its growth and needs to open its doors to immigration in order to compensate. Like all states welcoming immigrants, Québec expects newcomers to learn the language of the majority to integrate.
Unlike in other states, it is fairly easy to live a comfortable life in Québec without knowing the language of the majority. The availability of English-language media, culture and services is abundant. You see... Québec is a linguistic oddity; with close to 8 million people, it is surrounded by an ocean of 332 million English-speakers. And, unlike any other states, Québec needs a legislative framework to ensure newcomers have the opportunity to become functional in the language of the majority, hence the Charter of the French language.
The recent arrival of Bill 115 in Québec's legal landscape is one of many adjustments made to the Charter of the French language to remain in sync with the province's linguistic reality and comply with the Canadian constitution. Its purpose is to restrict a loophole that allowed Allophones and Francophones to buy an access to the English public education system through what is now known as "bridging schools". As it is often the case, it was the occasion for criticism.
Some people see xenophobia in Québec's linguistics laws. This is an odd perspective, considering the purpose of these laws is to promote a common communication vehicle. Much of Montréal's Jewish community speaks English. Arrived in the 30s and 40s, they weren't welcomed by French Roman Catholic schools. Had they arrived after 1977, French schooling would have been available to them.
Some people see in Québec's linguistic laws a drive for ethnic cleansing. They obviously have no clue about what ethnic cleansing is. Hinting any kind of parallel between the situation of English-speaking Québécois and the ordeal that the Jewish or the Tutsis in Rwanda have gone through is abusive to say the least. Above all, it's an insult to the survivors of such tragedies.
Some people see a desire to preserve cultural purity in Québec's linguistic laws. Is there such a thing as cultural purity? Traditional Québécois cuisine and music have strong ties to Ireland. Today's Québécois culture is a product of its European roots and its American environment. Québec's motto "Je me souviens" is an invitation to remember both its British and French roots.
Some people see in Québec's linguistic laws an intent to prevent its population from learning one of the most powerful language in the world. Québec's population is the most bilingual in the country. There's no plan in the program of any political party to prevent anyone from learning any language.
Some people see in Québec's linguistic laws an intent to isolate the province from the rest of the world. Other would argue that other provinces, with their closer ties to the USA, are the ones isolating themselves from outside the English-speaking world. More Europeans movies are watched in Québec than any other places in North America. Of course, much of these movies come from France, but that's not the only country Québécois film buffs are exposed to, for example, the rest of the continent will discover the Millennium trilogy (a Swedish-Danish production) years after Québec did. Furthermore, Québécois artists are behind some of the most successful Canadian cultural exports. Céline Dion, Cirque du Soleil and Just for Laughs, to name a few.
Some people see discrimination in Québec's linguistic laws. They're right. Like all immigrants coming to Québec, I don't have the privilege to send my kids to an English school. Of course, I would rather have this privilege. Would I use it? Maybe for a year or two... English is fairly easy to master. Oh... I'm sure I make mistakes, but I trust you get the picture.
In Québec, there are plenty of ways to learn English as a second language. Schooling simply isn't one of them.
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A Québécois Pure Laine reaching out to Anglos and Allophones
About Me
- Michel Bolduc
- Montréal, Canada
- A middle class family man who tackled his second language with his will and his wits. "Studying in your second language is the amazing opportunity to take a step back, observe two cultures and realize why you appreciate them both."
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6 comments:
Yes, this is about Montréal, but immigrants living in ethnic ghettos was not what I had in mind when I wrote "it is fairly easy to live a comfortable life in Québec without knowing the language of the majority". What I had in mind was more along the lines of English-speakers working in big organizations aspiring to the same professional success as their bilingual colleagues. Although it's fair to assume this situation is less prevalent than it was 40 years ago, there aren't opposing examples in Vancouver or Toronto. The parallel you're making trivializes the linguistic reality of my hometown.
The 'sea' rhetoric may be perceived as demagoguery, but the facts remain the same. There are very few parallels to Québec's linguistic situation and it calls for unparalleled measures. It's unfortunate that it alienates English-Canadians and perhaps they were more sympathetic to the Québécois 40 years ago, but looking at the state of French today, I wonder if being sympathetic is enough.
The 'us vs. them' and the 'black people all look alike' mentalities you refer to are not specifically Québécois. Some people simply lack discernment, but, as you know, those who have the ability to vary their sources of information have a better shot at cultivating their open-mindedness (National media suffice).
On the issue of ethnic cleansing, I realize that my interpretation was being too restrictive, but yours is too inclusive. Perhaps young French-Canadians or young Natives being forbidden to speak their mother-tongue in boarding schools are better examples. Honestly, I can't include the willful migration of individuals in that category. People are free to come or leave Québec as they please. Those who want to stay are more than welcome. There are plenty of Anglo-Québécois who feel perfectly at home in Montréal and who wouldn't leave for any other place in the continent.
Also, immigrants not adhering to the sovereignty movement in the same proportion French-speaking Québécois do is a no-brainer (wouldn't the opposite be puzzling?). However, immigrants mustn't be lumped into one group. French speaking communities, such as Haitians and North Africans, have a much more level-headed attitude toward sovereignty than other groups, such as Greeks or Polish, generally more associated with the English-speaking community. You referred to sovereigntists demagoguery; some federalists also use it (Québec's ethnocentric nationalism - Part 2).
James,
Thank you for your articulate and, as always, interesting comments.
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