Leafless

Me putting words in your mouth? Ha-ha-ha. Good one. All the broadband you have using up with trivial opion without an authorative source, greatly defeats the pupose of this site and degrades it to nothing more than a common gossip column. How can I be putting words in your mouth when you have acknowledged it was Argus's initial post? Regardless an error was made but nevertheless my reply remains the same. Your screen name matches your personality and is indicative of Quebec's Nazi type language charter.

I'm going to call you on that one. Provide some proof instead of just ranting. I'll bet it is less than 4% in some parts of the country. Wonder what the average is. The number of bilingual Canadians outside Quebec is 18%. http://www.answers.com/topic/languages-of-canada But out of that number 10% are Quebecers living outside Quebec, which actually reduces the number of bilingual Canadians to 8%. Perhaps there was some confusion to the number of Francophone's living outside Quebec which is 4.4%. But the question is: "What's all of the Billions upon Billions in money being spent on French outside of Quebec really all about?" This is what the question is.

Government bilingual test are crap. There are few perfectly bilingual Francophone's, and you know 95% of the time that person is Francophone. I know many Francophone's and although I don't make it an issue and relating to many of them, their comprehension of the English language is terrible and many do not comprehend what you are telling them in simple English. A direct comparison can be made to a parrot, they can speak English words, but do not understand, what is being said. BTW- Your condescending statement. "Standards are lower outside the NCR, of course, especially out west, but the power is in Ottawa", describes exactly the corrupt, discriminatory aspects of 'official bilingualism' in our federal government.

Quebec cannot become a republic as there is no political process to accommodate that demand. What are you going to do, separate and call yourself a republic with nothing, because that's what would be left of Quebec, nothing, after business and the feds pull out.

I wonder if Stephane Dion would be proposing the same plan if Quebec was in the oil business? I can't see this plan being viable as the polluters are the ones that keep the Canadian economy healthy. It appears all provinces are not treated equally in this country. http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/stor...hub=CTVNewsAt11

Running a country is not like running a business. The PM's job is to demonstrate leadership and respect British democratic rights that form the basis of law in Canada. The problem is Canada's PM's are retaining all the power to make up policies, constitutional changes etc. without reverting to or including the citizen's of Canada. This is the democratic deficit I was making reference to. Maybe you don't understand that. I didn't use that type of language, but if you want to get down to brass tacks, yes, there is an ongoing problem relating to a perpetual stalled economy down that way, where the inhabitants of that part of the country are reluctant to make significant changes in their lives ( such as relocating) in order to improve their lives, rather than continually cater to federal parties for basic $$$ support. We were talking about vote buying, remember.

You put great emphasis and obviously think it is a great thing relating to the feds totalitarian, dictated federal official bilingual policy. What I was saying it does not matter whose bilingual policy it was , either federal as in the federal government, or municiple as in Ottawa, Ontario, they were both force fed bypassing the democratic process to implement those policies. Factually, France gave away all rights to Canada , if this means anything to you. The English language prior to the 'official languages act', English was the 'de facto' language of Canada. The Liberals undemocratic political maneuvering established the 'official languages act'. Federal 'official bilingualism' is entirely in a separate area, as it is not written in the same act as 'official languages'. If you do not see the corrupt nature in all of this, then my case is closed on this subject.

There is a democratic deficit in Canada, in case you have not noticed, that is drastically affecting the rights of the majority of Canadians. And what is that, entitled to tax payer support for the rest of time?

You are imposing unprecedented (like the Liberals) draconian, undemocratic methods to implement bilingualism, which is not part of a democratic, freer society. You must really like communism, although at the same time, your critical of Quebec for being communist. The point is to date ALL BILINGUAL POLICIES in Canada, federal or municipal, with Quebec not participating at all, were ALL created without the input of tax paying citizens of Canada who were denied that legal right that is so inherent of our constitution and British law, that gave us this free democratic country initially. The 'Charter of the French Language' is basically a deluxe version of Bill-101 and we all know how that discriminates. The point is Quebec is using this French Charter to nationalize Quebec characteristics is the same fashion as establishing a country. You should read it sometime, as it makes interesting Nazi type reading and supports your type of imposed and dictated ideologies. My son- in- law is perfectly bilingual at the highest level. We have several family members including myself who are or were federal public servants and are fully aware of ongoing bilingual based discrimination resulting in low moral, dissension, animosity, inefficiency. Everyone knows about but few say anything. There are other topics relating to the cost of 'federal official bilingualism' with estimates as high as $600-Billion dollars. Feel free to look them up. No it is not since Canada is an 'official multicultural country' and French is not an internationally recognized language. Politicians tow the party line in Canada, BUISNESS RULES. All due to corrupt draconian dictated bilingual policies. A few post back someone suggested that you must be dumb if you don't recognize what an octagon stop sign means. I never said that, you did. How do you know what I have written, or complained about or suggested to my MP or even the PM's office? The only thing that will make them move on the bilingualism issue is a revolution.

Bilingual policies only mean something to the French, who have something to gain in English Canada, at the expense of the English and built on TOTALLY CORRUPT BILINGUAL POLICIES, unlike the English who are only discriminated on in 'La Belle Provence'.

Good Gollie! The world's greatest democracy has states that have the equivalent of Québec's Law 101? Are the U.S. getting to be as racist as Québec? The English language in the U.S. has always been the 'de facto' language of that COUNTRY and what the individual states do to protect that 'de facto' language from abuse is their right. You are badly confused again seabee, carrying on as usual as if Quebec is a country, which it is not. Again, the British won Canada and gave us our Constitution our English based laws and our English language. What we lack badly in this country is the absense of solid leadership.

No, what I expect on important issues like constitutional changes are referendums, like what Quebec was allowed to have. Our democratic system is blind to the 'collective will of Canadians'. Not bad for a country that harbours 337 languages. That's how free the U.S. is, no official language, but this could change in the near future due to abuse by illegal immigrants trying to establish Spanish as a working language. But there are quite a few states that are designated 'officially English' being:Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, North Carolina, North Dakota, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Utah, Virginia, and Wyoming. But English as always been the 'de facto' national language of the U.S. And American English is the 'official language' used for legislation, regulations, executive orders, treaties, federal court rulings and all other official pronouncements.

It does not show comtempt for anything. I do not understand how you come to that. Go to Texas, Arizona, Cali and what do you find there? Spanish only signs, not street signs mind you but Spanish. same in Miami. I don't have to go to Texas, in Ottawa, Ontario we have signs entirely in Arabic. But yet these signs have nothing to do with driving on PUBLIC ROADWAYS. When you post signs in a minority foreign language in a majority English country, it is showing contempt for the majority English language as Quebec is a province and not a country, something apparently, it does not quite realize.

No it has nothing to do with respect, it has to do with intellect. If the government thinks it is privledged to allow me to vote for unknown policies that will be inplemented by that government, then that absolutely is treating an individual like a moron. Get it! Then why, citing in a single instance are the Liberals so popular in Eastern Canada?

Cut it out will ya? The guy in the next office came in and asked what was so funny. I showed him the quote above , and told him you meant an "arret" or "stop" sign . He said it could be written in Cantonese and everyone would know what it meant, eight sides, bright red..... Well....'cept you . Point is guyser...it shows contempt for the international language of the world and the majority language of Canada and it is dangerous, as French, outside of France is only popular in African countries. You know funny as it may sound, we use English in Canada and North America and 'arret' is a foreign word, not known to all. French is not as popular as you might think it is.

Why have bilingualism? Simple because you can not dictate bilingualism and that is what the undemocratic situation is now. Language and culture is like a fairy tale in Canada. One morning you wake up and find we have two official languages. Another morning you wake up and we are officially multicultural. Another morning you wake up and we have federal government official bilingualism, etc. etc. etc. Not really, I think its working completely the other way. For instance my son-in-law works for the feds a makes 80k. His boss is a Francophone who out rightly refuses to speak English. As a result there is dissension, animosity and hatred although no one wants to report the prick, for fear of job loss. I lived through the Francophone invasion of Tunney's Pasture a government complex in Ottawa where they were suddenly trying to Frenchify the entire complex. This meant getting rid of English speaking supervisors and replacing them with Francophone's. In turn the Francophone supervisors made room for more Francophone's by picking on English speaking employees, one at a time, using methods like not giving the individual any work for weeks and months at a time until they quit in frustration. there were many other methods used to get rid of English speaking employee's. Then why has Quebec linguistically sealed itself off from the rest of Canada with a discriminating Charter resembling something from Nazi Germany? There is no natural demand for bilingualism. Forcing Canadian to speak a minority residential language does not produce a bilingual society. Even in Ottawa, Ontario, business is catering to Ottawa's undemocratic bilingual policy. This is not natural demand as Ottawa tax payers were not involved in Ottawa's bilingual policy, which is outrageous. You cannot force a country to be bilingual. These are all doctored statistics. the 43% makes it sound like that is the percentage of the ethnic population in Canada, which it is not. The only reason the feds make a big fuss over culture is for the benefit of Quebec, to try to drown out the majority English speaking population.

Votes are BOUGHT and not CAST in this country. Why should I get off the couch to vote...Treat me like a moron and I will act like a moron.

For anyone to guess what the wording on a sign means is plain dangerous. This only shows the contempt for the English language the Quebec government has for the entire country. No doubt, I am a English speaking canuck moron to tolerate the federal government, that allows Quebec to behave like a country, within the confines of Canada that includes nine other stifled provinces. I mean this belongs in Ripley's as Canada being the most politically twisted country in the world.

Now you are being a jackass. The post was not related to you, unless of course you are part of 'la grand conspiracy' and feel threatened. Who are you and who is we? One of the tin pot dictators or just a granola crunching lefty? No, not all of them but about 50%, as proven by previous Quebec referendums. It is obvious to see you are anti-democratic and desire the leadership of a totalitarian government. The U.S. really puts Canada to shame when it comes to important changes in their constitution and does not allow the government of the day to freely re-write history.

The Queen of England can speak two languages, one being English and the other being French. The Queen is diplomatic and cordial. This is why she speaks French when visiting France on official duties, it has nothing to do with French being a language of world importance. The U.S. was formed by ex-British loyalist the same British loyalist that won Canada and both use the English language. Our constitution is British as our laws are based on English laws. It would be a lot easier for Quebec to leave Canada as they are the root of continual constitutional problems. Besides, you don't really know how many Canadians despise any type of official bilingualism, as the citizens of Canada were never given the official opportunity to be heard concerning any issue concerning official bilingualism or our Charter. We need a referendum to determine that officially, as polls cannot be trusted. No its not. Our constitution was given to us by the British and so are our English based laws as well as English being the language of the large majority. In case you didn't know the Queen is still 'Queen of Canada'. This shows how irresponsible the Quebec government is' printing public stop signs in a minority language (possibly endangering peoples lives) and does not say much for the federal government allowing this, and does not exactly jive with the international language of the world.

Why should we have any form of bilingualism at all? The only legal right Quebec has pertaining to French, is relating to the use of French in its own province, excluding of course Charter rights that are responsible for the undemocratic 'French Languages Act in Ontario' that discriminates against the majority English language in Ontario, and forces majority English taxpayers to provide French services to 24 Francophone designated areas in Ontario. If Quebec choose not to deal with the ROC in English, so be it, big deal. To begin with bilingualism should be determined by the people, not the government, with the latter being the case in Canada. The federal government of Canada has effectively poisoned any chance for bilingualism to succeed by trying to create a purpose for bilingualism and as failed miserably. Primarily it has failed in its efforts to make Quebec sign the Constitution of Canada. We all are aware of Quebec using the NWC (notwithstanding clause), but in all rights, it must make Quebec sign the Constitution of Canada like all other provinces in Canada before it proceeds with any type of bilingual policy. Secondly, the federal government of Canada failed to incorporate Canadians to decide if we really want bilingualism. Thirdly, it has failed by allowing Quebec to incorporate a racist language policy, Bill-101, that defies Charter rights. Fourthly, for the government of Canada not to aggressively pursue 'official bilingualism' in Quebec, recognizes Quebec as being 'officially distinct' is totally undemocratic in the sense Quebec is a province in Canada and Canadians must be involved in the process to determine Quebec's so called distinctness. Fifthly, everything that concerns bilingualism in Canada such as 'official languages', official multiculturalism, the Charter of rights and Freedoms was done unilaterally in a most undemocratic manner by the federal government, excluding the 'legal collective will' of all Canadians. If bilingualism is not free flowing on its own accord, then it is not bilingualism but state legislated languages, a disgusting abnormality, in a democratic society.

If it's so lousy, nothing's forcing you to stay. Ontario's bilingual policy is by quotas. Ontario does not have French as an official language, yet they still serve Ontarians in French where the demand exists. This has nothing to do with the supposive "artificial demand" established by the federal government. I'm not worried, by the way (where do you get these ideas about how I might feel?), though I appreciate the concern. I already know both domestic languages, so if Ontario becomes officially bilingual, I could only gain. Either way, I'm not complaining about the current situation, so I need not to worry. Either way is fine for me. Don't be an ass! Ontario has for a long time has a bilingual policy to provide certain services to Francophone's 'where numbers warrant' UNLIKE in entitled QUEBEC that has NO BILINGUAL POLICY ANYWHERE. Man, you would almost think stuffed Quebec won the battle on the 'Plains of Abraham'. I only know a single language and in my mind NO OTHER language other than majority English matters and that's the only language I will ever fight for, the language of the victors who won Canada and as well is the language the U.S. uses and is the language many countries use that dominates the commercial world, unlike French whereas it is popular among a handful of African countries. Canada is a lousy place to live because of Quebec, but since I was born here I will never allow a minority to run me out of my own country. I will always remember what the FLQ did and don't think for a moment if push ever comes to shove, the English are as equally as capable of pursuing national goals. See you around Kapitan.

This is exactly the ungrateful attitude of Francophone's that make this country a lousy place to live. If it wasn't for Ottawa, Ontario's bilingual policy, initially inspired by a Liberal friendly mayor and the federal Liberal government providing the discriminatory initiative for this to happen, there would be absolutely no official criteria, or any kind of natural initiative for a demand for the French language to develop on its own in Ottawa. And don't worry, you will never see Ontario become 'officially bilingual if the premier of the province intends to hold his or her position for any length of time. If it did happen would be the recipe for an upheaval.

Civil war could pose a threat to our collective existence as would the undesirable effects concerning a nasty separation. It has the capabilities to induce world disorder, with the end result being large scale disaster.

Not pleasing but simply reflects OTHER culture in Western country as being part of the country. Then you would have a total dysfunctional country, not that the government is not currently linguistically impaired with the present 'official languages'. This is why 'official languages' are so discriminatory in an 'official multicultural' country. Just simply forget 'official languages' period, because the only purpose it serves is to place an artificial importance on French, a non-commercial language.