Not a day goes by that I don’t get at least one copy of a chain letter making the rounds these days. It looks like a crude adaptation of an American letter, and starts off saying how irritating it was for the person who wrote it, “to hear our national anthem sung in Spanish.â€
The rest of it is predictable: People who come to this country have an obligation to learn “the language the majority of Canadians speak,†and it demands that politicians ensure it happens. “If you don’t have the courage to pass this along,†it says, “then just delete it.â€
With pleasure, since it is bigoted, racist, xenophobic and nauseating. But, given the number of times I have this forwarded to me by constituents and others, the message is obviously resonating.
And this brings me to Brian Murphy, a member of Parliament from New Brunswick. Actually, he was the mayor of Moncton, which not too long ago became the first officially bilingual city in Canada, he tells me. Brian is passionate about the role of government in protecting linguistic minorities, and argues that a French-speaking person from Quebec, or New Brunswick or northern Ontario should have access to government services in their native language, anywhere in the country. That is called official bilingualism. It is one of those things I think Americans will never understand.
MPtv caught up with Murphy this week, and asked him more about why it actually makes sense – socially and economically – to have a country that speaks in more than one language.
By the way, O Canada is far more thrilling, lyrical and spine-tingling, in French. Try it.
To view the video, click here.
36 comments ↓
What oppo day motion are you guys planning for Tue, Garth?
Hmmmmmm……
Please remember tomorrow is Injured Worker Day. 18,000 injured since 1984. Do your own research elites!
I would go farther in this post-modern age and try to be able to communicate the Canadian message in every language of the world.
Please pay you respects tomorrow, it is Injured Worker Day.
http://www.ciws.ca/index.htm
All of us should remember.
I always thought “The Maple Leaf Forever” was a much better song and a more appropriate national anthem, but I understand they don’t like it so much in Quebec, so that probably won’t fly.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=etEb-MixlaA
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ICmkwkGikY8
et peut-être pour vous aussi, AHAB!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NmiforQEK98
You are absolutely right about the French version. I always use it and it’s about the only French I know.
looks like Williams seems to understand Steve. I hope he keeps it up.
Interestingly, I got to sing part of ‘O Canada’ in French recently, at the big Martial Arts Expo in Milton. I have always wondered what the French lyrics meant, since they obviously aren’t the same as the English.
Hooray for Google:
O Canada! Land of our forefathers
Thy brow is wreathed with a glorious garland of flowers.
As in thy arm ready to wield the sword,
So also is it ready to carry the cross.
Thy history is an epic of the most brilliant exploits.
Ch.
Thy valour steeped in faith
Will protect our homes and our rights
Will protect our homes and our rights.
Hmm. Interesting.
Garth,
http://www.greenparty.ca/en/releases/26.04.2007
http://www.cbc.ca/news/background/climatechange/targets-timetables.html
For those Canadian who want this country to meet Kyoto, what can they do now?
thanks
PMSH said, “Don’t .. Don’t D-D-D-ON’T FORGET” … And we must promise NOT TO FORGET!
ONE OF THE LIES Saint Mikey Wallace told citizens of Burlington.
“A Conservative government will stand for certainty for seniors and never allow raids on seniors’ nest eggs by changing investment rules or imposing death taxes on inheritancesâ€â€”Mike Wallace—Our Stand Up Plan for the country and for Burlington
MIKEY WALLACE IS A DAMNABLE LIAR! They all told the same lie … Mikey conceived it, or was told to include it,in his campaign literature by none other than PMSH … portrayed as a smiling cherubic chubby companion to Mikey when they walked through East Burlington telling lies to citizens.
You won’t have to worry about any estate taxes for the people you wiped out when Flim-Flam Dim-Jim Flaherty wiped out our nest eggs, Saint Mikey Wallace.
But you will have to be deeply concerned about something else.
Unsung heroes
http://www.rbcinvest.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/ArticleNews/PEstory/LAC/20070428/ESTJOHN28/Editorials/commentEditorials/commentEditorials/3/3/3/
St. John Ambulance Canada and the Canadian Red Cross are two charitable organizations with a mission to improve, through training, the health, safety and quality of life of Canadians. Their success is measured in stories of everyday valour. Like that of Corporal Shaun Fevens, a young Canadian reservist from the Princess Louise Fusiliers, who survived a roadside bomb attack on Easter Sunday near Kandahar. As he lay seriously injured from the blast, Cpl. Fevens calmly instructed fellow soldiers on how to staunch the bleeding. According to his mother, Maurietta Fevens, “he never received any special medical training. He did some advanced St. John Ambulance courses and CPR.â€
Opinion from the print media and other forums dealing with the widespread trust devastation wrought by Flim-Flam Dim-Jim Flaherty.
“Our elfin Finance Minister is a man fixated on making sure companies pay enough tax. And yes, that is part of his job. The problem is that whenever he spots some wrinkle in the tax code that’s being exploited, he becomes a man with a hammer. Make that a sledgehammer.
Elegant solutions are cast aside in favour of dramatic action, and it’s getting him into trouble. So Telus and BCE and EnCana want to become income trusts so they can stop paying income taxes? Thwack – here’s a fat new tax, a moratorium on new trusts and a four-year grace period for the old ones. That’ll end that. Except that some of those trusts are now being bought in leveraged buyouts, and the net result for Ottawa – at best – might be no revenue gain for the political pain.”
Former Enron employees whose IRA’s were destroyed held a public meeting to display their remaining ASS-ets!
http://www.ianai.net/jokes/Enron/EnronEmployees.jpeg
Nothing wrong with having choice in language. I’d like to see more options for younger children to learn languages. There is one thing that I find a bit concerning here in Canada regarding our languages. A few years back I had an exchange student from France, she was staying with a host family in Quebec and one in Ontario. While in Ontario her host family brought her to me during the days because my business was her course of study. She was perplexed as to why the children in Quebec were not being taught English. In France she explained, anyone who was going to be involved in business had to learn English, she said that only knowing French was very limiting and a great disadvantage. She said everyone studied the English language as it was the universal language of business. It’s true, you see Asian countries offering jobs to any Westerner who can teach English. I know many young people who have travelled to China, Japan, S. Korea on teaching jobs.
So, the concerns are 1) why are children in Quebec not being taught English? and 2) Why is Canada considered to have two languages when most of Quebec remains uni-lingual?
L
O Canada” was proclaimed Canada’s national anthem on July 1, 1980, 100 years after it was first sung on June 24, 1880. The music was composed by Calixa Lavallée, a well-known composer; French lyrics to accompany the music were written by Sir Adolphe-Basile Routhier. The song gained steadily in popularity. Many English versions have appeared over the years. The version on which the official English lyrics are based was written in 1908 by Mr. Justice Robert Stanley Weir. The official English version includes changes recommended in 1968 by a Special Joint Committee of the Senate and House of Commons. The French lyrics remain unaltered.
The first performance took place on June 24, 1880 at a banquet in the “Pavillon des Patineurs” in Quebec City as the climax of a”Mosaïque sur des airs populaires canadiens” arranged by Joseph Vézina, a prominent composer and bandmaster
English Canada in general probably first heard “O Canada” when school children sang it when the Duke and Duchess of Cornwall (later King George V and Queen Mary) toured Canada in 1901.
However the version that gained the widest currency was made in 1908 by Robert Stanley Weir, a lawyer and at the time Recorder of the City of Montréal:
Ok, watched the video and agree with the premise, always have. Now lets redo the video and substitute english for french and quebec for moncton. Bi-lingual country not likely. In english canada I can fight for and win my rights but in quebec I can’t even put up an english only sign.
Much different standards of equality and the feds won’t even go to bat on the issue.
Ninety per cent of British heroin is from Afghanistan, says U.K. attorney general:Drugs are one of the gravest long-term threats to the development and security of Afghanistan,†he said during a visit to Kabul’s Criminal Justice Task Force, which investigates and prosecutes drug traffickers.
Rogue Afghan Attorney General, who is also a resident of Montreal, leads violent raid on popular TV station.
CALGARY, April 17 /CNW/ – Skyreporter.com Reveals Canada’s Connection to
Kabul Crisis. Five weeks after journalist Arthur Kent launched an
investigative series of film reports on his new website, http://www.skyreporter.com,
the shadowy figure at the centre of the anti-narcotics policing scandal at
Kabul Airport, Afghanistan’s Attorney General Abdul Jabar Sabet, has launched
an unprecedented crackdown on the country’s burgeoning news media.
Tuesday evening in Kabul, Sabet led a squad of police into the studios
and offices of Tolo-TV, Afghanistan’s leading private broadcaster and an
important source of news for Afghans angered by years of corruption and
ineptitude in the Western-sponsored government of Hamid Karzai. Several
reporters and editors were reportedly physically abused by Sabet’s men. Three
journalists were arrested. Sources indicate that the raid and arrests took
place without proper warrants.
Since early March, Arthur Kent has forwarded questions to the office of
Foreign Affairs Minister Peter Mackay regarding Sabet’s status in Canada.
Sabet gained entry during the Taliban era and settled in Montreal – despite
his past connections with anti-Western extremist groups in Afghanistan, and
having had an earlier application to enter the U.S. denied by American
immigration authorities. Sabet returned to Kabul in 2003, and was nominated by
Hamid Karzai last August as Attorney General.
Says Kent: “From Foreign Affairs, from Citizenship and Immigration
Canada, and from the Prime Minister’s office, the silence has been deafening.
The last thing the Harper government seems to want to talk about is Abdul
Jabar Sabet, of Montreal and Kabul.
“But now, with a media crackdown underway in Kabul, another question
looms large: is this the kind of Afghan lawman and government that Canadian
troops are fighting and dying for?â€
So there we have it.The Harper regime either lies outright or by omission.It’s pretty difficult for Canadian Troops to fight an enemy Taliban when the enemy could be running the whole or part of the operation.
Canadians want answers Garth.Canadian military families want answers.It’s becoming clear in bits and pieces what we are fighting.The big question-and getting bigger-is WHY?
Michael Coren’s column/Todays Toronto Sun and Micheal Harris’Column/Ottawa Sun/Apr/20 kind of puts it in persective.
Sandy – are you trying to make a point here? “Everyone” already knows.
Leasa,
Can you substantiate this assertion or is it just anecdotal based on one person’s observation? Have you travelled in Quebec and observed the English skills of the populace? If your claim is based on one person’s comments, I can counter with my own anecdotal experience. I have been to Quebec many times, travelling as far as to the Gaspe, my French skills are limited to somewhat adequate in reading, and desperate in verbal, and so I communicate in English. I have always been impressed – and embarrassed – that the folks I encounter are better at speaking to me in my tongue than I in theirs. Now, anecdotally again, I have also been and lived in various parts of this country, from coast to coast, and would wager that the corollary would be untrue for the Francophone travelling outside Quebec. I am certain that anyone involved in business knows that English is the universal language of exchange, including those businessmen in Quebec.
On the crowded left, Jack’s pack [aka Champagne Jack, me proud hearties] looks for light
If C-30 is not amended, to include and modify Birdie-Baird’s newest rendering, Champagne Jack will have to pay back his celebratory champagne expenses. He won’t get my vote anyway, because he voted IN FAVOUR of Flim-Flam Dim-Jim Flaherty’s actions on Income Trusts.
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/LAC.20070421.COMARTIN21/TPStory/TPComment/Politics/
All the makings of this government’s first scandal
It’s been said the Harper government will do anything to win. It is prepared go to extremes — information control, shutting down dissent and the like. To be mired in that mindset is to court adversity. And now it has it.
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20070426.wxcomartin26/BNStory/National/home
‘Why am I a hero?’ Scott Collen died three times after his platoon was attacked by an Afghan suicide bomber. Now all he wants is to do is go back.
Joe Friesen–Globe&Mail—SAT Apr 28, ‘07
MINNEDOSA, MAN. — Corporal Scott Collen looked at his watch: 9:33 a.m. A perfect time for another cigarette, he thought. Cpl. Collen was standing by the road, his rifle resting in his arms. His platoon had stopped about 300 metres short of its objective to allow an Afghan family and their two cows to pass. He scanned the grape fields off to the right, wary of a Taliban ambush..
http://www.rbcinvest.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/ArticleNews/PEstory/LAC/20070428/CENTRE28/Comment/comment/comment/2/2/12/
A true story:
A number of years ago, I was at a conference in Scotsdale Arizona, The Phoenician to be exact.
One evening, a group of Canadians, Francophone and Anglophone, from east coast to west coast, gathered in the outdoor hot tub.
We didn’t care about the strange looks we received as we sang the Canadian National Anthem in both official languages.
Lets just say the Americans knew the Canadians were in town.
By Dube on 04.28.07 10:12 am
I don’t disagree with your experience, I believe you. However, even though I have not travelled through Quebec (embarrassingly, I travel extensively, but not in Canada as of yet), I do know many friends and family that have. I guess from what I can surmise, certain parts of Quebec do have English speaking areas, and certain parts do not. That is not in my opinion, ‘bi-lingual’. Was this exchange student correct in saying the children of Quebec are not taught English? I have been told it is. What about the famous ‘language police’? What about signage? From an outsiders perspective, going by what people say and what I’ve seen in the news, Quebec is a fairly bigoted province. Is that a wrong assumption?
L
Mon Dieu:
I have lived in QC for 8 yrs.I know more than I did, which was nothing.
And apart from the one separatist bus driver I ran into I’ve never had a problem.
If a person coming to QC can even learn one phrase in French-that phrase being-je suis tres desolé mais je ne parle pas francais.It is appreciated.
The first phrase I learned was je suis perdu.I,m still lost.
So, the concerns are 1) why are children in Quebec not being taught English? and 2) Why is Canada considered to have two languages when most of Quebec remains uni-lingual?
Get your facts straight, Leasa.
1) In Quebec, students have mandatory English classes every year from grade 1 until high school graduation.
2) According to the 2001 census, 40% of Quebec residents know both official languages, while only 10% of residents of other provinces have knowledge of both English and French.
Quote, “Interestingly, I got to sing part of ‘O Canada’ in French recently, at the big Martial Arts Expo in Milton. I have always wondered what the French lyrics meant, since they obviously aren’t the same as the English.
Hooray for Google:
O Canada! Land of our forefathers
Thy brow is wreathed with a glorious garland of flowers.
As in thy arm ready to wield the sword,
So also is it ready to carry the cross.
Thy history is an epic of the most brilliant exploits.
Ch.
Thy valour steeped in faith
Will protect our homes and our rights
Will protect our homes and our rights.
Hmm. Interesting.”
Well, it makes sense to me: until the Quiet Revolution of the 1960’s in Quebec, the majority of Quebeckers were Christian Catholics (and they had their denominational school system, like NL, protected within the 1865/95 as well as the 1982 Constitution.)
So in that sense, it would explain why when I learned O’Canada growing up, we learned it three ways: 1) the Entirely English Version, 2) The Entirely French Version and 3) The 50% in French, 50% in English version.
Sadly,PMSH was right when he said in opposition that in practice, Canada isn’t a truly bilinguial country, but has a policy of dual unilinguialism: English in English-Canada and French in French-Canada (with certain exceptions)
For the most part, the only services available in the 2nd Official Langugage in most parts of Canada is Tourism, Government Services and local 2nd official language minority community services.
Indeed, despite the harsh Quebec laws pushing English out of Quebec, Quebeckers actually do a better job of being bilinguial than most other Canadians because one couldn’t survive in the city of Montreal without a limited understanding of both languages.
But ya, when I was at a local CED Conference here in St.John’s,NL (That’s Community Economic Development, for those who’ve never heard of it), a new friend I made at the conference was an Anglophone Quebecker who is responsible for providing services to Anglophone Minorities across Quebec.
In closing, although our country doesn’t facilitate bilinguialism (or multilinguialism, since Labrador, like Quebec, has a Inuit-language minority, with the people of the territory of Nunaviasat being a clear example of Inuit-speaking people with a certain amount of self-government (For those who weren’t aware, in 2004, NL Premier DW gave the Native speaking peoples of Labrador back their reserve of Hebron which was wrongly taken from them by the 1st Premier of NL Joseph R. Smallwood).
But what i’d forgotten to say was that although Canada does worse than Europe in ensuring multilinguialism and multiculturalism, it doesn’t change the fact that within Canada, we have a two-tiere (or even three-tiered) language/job system: the jobs accessible only to those who are fluently bilinguial, jobs that are easier to get for bilinguial people (although not a requirement) and then there are jobs for those who are entirely unilinguial.
So ya, the province of NB is an exception is its the only officially bilinguial province.
The other best-kept secret of the 1982 Canadian Constitution is the fact that any amendment to the Constitution which only affects one province can be amended by the Legislature of that province or a Referendum solely based in that province.
For example, if the Government of NL decided tomorrow it wanted to have a referendum on whether to implement a MMP electoral system (A Mixed Member Proportional System: which combines regional representation through MHA’s, with a fixed number of proportional seats to be filled based on the proportional of popular votes cast for a party on a 2nd ballot), such a referendum could be done in NL and such a system implemented WITHOUT the approval of the rest of Canada.
Of course, such a provision can also be our greatest weakness, because it could lead to asymmetrical federalism, whereby one province has more powers than another (wait a minute, that’s already the case!)
Amazing isn’t it? When you see Quebec kids interviewed or asked questions on CPAC, etc. – they speak both languages quite well.
Leasa – one person’s view doesn’t cut it.
I’ve had no problems when visiting Quebec with finding people who speak English.
Again, Leasa has problems with her facts.
NDP HOUSE LEADER WANTS TO GIVE THE CPC BUFFOONS MORE TIME.
It is time to fish or cut bait! Bring on the Election!
http://www.thestar.com/News/article/208328
By slg on 04.28.07 11:14 am
Again you biased little meanie, I didn’t state any facts. Conversation for learning’s sake, isn’t stating facts. I had no facts and made it clear. Questions are not facts. So therefore, I have no facts to have problems with on this topic. One more question; do you have trouble with reading comprehension? There are people who can help with that. Have a marvelous day, I know I am.
L
Note to Dumbfounded:
It’s better here in Moncton, New Brunswick. Access to equal service in English or French. See for yourself on the bilingual City of Moncton web site: http://www.moncton.org or New Brunswick web site : http://www.gnb.ca.
And that’s the way I, and many others, like it.
Note to my MP:
Good interview Brian.
Here are some facts for you, Leasa:
1) Children in Quebec have mandatory English and French classes in every year from grade 1 until they finish high school. English classes have been mandatory in high school since education was taken out of the hands of the Church in the 1960s.
2) According to the 2001 census, 40% of Quebec residents have knowledge of English and French while only 10% of residents of the other provinces know both official languages.
In a perfect world, Canadians would all speak both official languages, and others too – if only by attempt. The rate of enrolment in French Immersion classes seems to be growing in Ontario and this is wonderful – the ability to speak, understand or be understood in more than one language is a terrific advantage to anyone who attempts it. The more we learn in different ways, the more encompassing Canada becomes. On a slightly different note however, I have read comments in some of these blogs that refer to M. Dion’s dual citizenship, being both Canadian and French. I honestly do not understand what the problem would be. Several of the federal MPs, being Canadian and also having American citizenship – I haven’t heard anyone critizize them, just M. Dion in this regard. Half of my own family had the option for dual citizenship by right of my mother being an American by birth. The laws of dual citizenship in Canada changed back and forth so many times in the 1940, 50s and 60s, that some of my siblings had automatic opportunity for dual Can/US citizenship and others did not. What a confusing system! We were all born in Canada. And many, many people who emigrated here from abroad have dual citizenship. Canada, as a nation, does NOT request any person to give up the citizenship of the country of their birth – it is just not our way. So the comments that imply, or flat out state that M. Dion may not be totally devoted and loyal to Canada should a federal issue come up that involves France – is, in my opinion, nothing other than a red herring intended to impugn his character. We are a tolerant society that thrives on multiculturalism and I hope will always grow strong and free knowing that a Canadian is a Canadian is a Canadian. The partisanship of picking apart dual citizenship is destructive, small-minded rhetoric.
“The language the majority speak”, eh? It reminded me of this cartoon
here…
The normal everyday user would be under the impression that investing the time to complete information on this topic is a waste of resources….