Harper appoints Bernard Lord

[jdobbin]

http://canadianpress.google.com/article/AL...VgITVhTbZqoF8-w

Former New Brunswick premier Bernard Lord is moving back into the public spotlight by accepting an appointment to head a high-profile committee on bilingualism in Canada.

Prime Minister Stephen Harper announced Lord's appointment at a news conference Monday in Moncton, the bilingual community Lord represented in the provincial legislature until last year.

Lord, who was born in Quebec but raised in New Brunswick and is fluently bilingual, was described by Harper as the model of a bilingual and bicultural Canadian.

This isn't likely to make some on the right wing happy who would like to see French scrapped federally.

Harper is obviously looking ahead to the election because of what this last report said:

But in his first report, Official Languages Commissioner Graham Fraser said the prime minister's decision to scrap the court challenges program, which provided funding to minority groups to challenge government policies in court, showed a "lack of will" to defend the national conversation in Canada's two founding languages.

Fraser said the government violated the Official Languages Act by eliminating the program because minority language groups are no longer getting access to the courts to guarantee their linguistic rights. Ditching the program was "the product of a seriously flawed decision-making process."

Lord said his job does not interfere with or overlap the responsibilities of Fraser.

"His role is mandated through legislation and he answers to Parliament," Lord said. "My role is different. I will be reaching out to better understand what people are saying about bilingualism."

Sources said Harper began looking for a way to respond to Fraser's concerns shortly after his report was released in May.

The Conservatives are hoping to add to the 10 ridings they won in the overwhelmingly francophone regions off the island of Montreal.

[Fain]

I'd agree with your outrage, but mine is more with the waste of money.

Some people of the left-wing want mandatory french language laws scrapped too. Libertarians as well.

Edited December 4, 2007 by Fain

[Leafless]

What a joke.

Harper must ask himself, or clearly identify what he means when he said:

We're making sure that minority language communities here in New Brunswick and across Canada are getting the benefits they deserve.

Obviously what he is talking about, is the French language communities across Canada and NOT the English minority community in Quebec that have been discriminated upon by the 'French Language Charter', and the total omission of bilingual policies in Quebec and the continuation of Quebec being allowed FEDERALLY with their use of the oppressive 'notwithstanding clause' to oppress and discriminate against the English minority in Quebec.

This so called English minority is not any kind of minority in Quebec and is part of the English majority of Canada and deserves the federal support of 'Charter Rights' in Quebec.

I certainly hope Mr. Harper will see the linguistic light and call a spade a spade and treat federal bilingualism policies accordingly or totally scrap 'official bilingualism in Canada.

[M.Dancer]

Good choice. A bilingual conservative from an officially bilingual province.

[jdobbin]

Good choice. A bilingual conservative from an officially bilingual province.

We'll see if Harper is prepared to follow what could be controversial advice from Lord. It isn't an easy sell in parts of the west.

[Michael Bluth]

Good choice. A bilingual conservative from an officially bilingual province.

Well said. Interesting how a certain poster turned it into an attack on the Conservatives.

Lord is a good man, who will help Canadians with this position.

[Shakeyhands]

Well said. Interesting how a certain poster turned it into an attack on the Conservatives.

What response in this thread attacks the Conservatives? I must have missed it.

[Michael Bluth]

What response in this thread attacks the Conservatives? I must have missed it.

Is the Conservative Party of Canada the party of the right in this country?

This isn't likely to make some on the right wing happy who would like to see French scrapped federally.

Does it not receive a majority of votes in the 'West'?

We'll see if Harper is prepared to follow what could be controversial advice from Lord. It isn't an easy sell in parts of the west.

The veiled language doesn't hide the attacks on the CPC, but thanks for coming out.

[guyser]

What response in this thread attacks the Conservatives? I must have missed it.

Oh , don't worry, if jdobbin posted "good morning" and nothing more.....there is at least one who would attack and post a scary scary....

[Michael Bluth]

Oh , don't worry, if jdobbin posted "good morning" and nothing more.....there is at least one who would attack and post a scary scary....

Did you read my response to Shakey's question?

Do you honestly not see dobbin's post on this thread as an unsubstantiaed attack on the Government because of the *potential* rejection of this positive move by supporters of the CPC.

[Leafless]

Good choice. A bilingual conservative from an officially bilingual province.

An 'officially bilingual province'?

Quebec is NOT an 'officially bilingual province.

In fact there is NOT a bilingual policy to be found ANYWHERE in Quebec.

The French language was made official unilaterally by Quebec provincial legislation and is NOT officially recognized by anyone in Canada including the federal government.

[noahbody]

An 'officially bilingual province'?

Quebec is NOT an 'officially bilingual province.

In fact there is NOT a bilingual policy to be found ANYWHERE in Quebec.

The French language was made official unilaterally by Quebec provincial legislation and is NOT officially recognized by anyone in Canada including the federal government.

He's referring to New Brunswick

[M.Dancer]

He's referring to New Brunswick

He ain't the greenest leaf on the tree......

[Shakeyhands]

Did you read my response to Shakey's question?

Do you honestly not see dobbin's post on this thread as an unsubstantiaed attack on the Government because of the *potential* rejection of this positive move by supporters of the CPC.

I did and no, not at all. In fact I thought it a very good post, well balanced and fair. I think you may be chasing shadows on this one.

[guyser]

Did you read my response to Shakey's question?

Do you honestly not see dobbin's post on this thread as an unsubstantiaed attack on the Government because of the *potential* rejection of this positive move by supporters of the CPC.

Is it all about you?

"Unsubstantiated attack"...yes.But not by dobbin . On the govt? Nope.

Besides shakey got it right.

[Michael Bluth]

I did and no, not at all. In fact I thought it a very good post, well balanced and fair.

Where is the balance? Where is anything positive said about the move?

You need both sides represented to offer balance.

This is everything dobbin said about the move.

This isn't likely to make some on the right wing happy who would like to see French scrapped federally.

Harper is obviously looking ahead to the election because of what this last report said:We'll see if Harper is prepared to follow what could be controversial advice from Lord. It isn't an easy sell in parts of the west.

Where is the balance?

Is it all about you?

Besides shakey got it right.

He asked a direct question about my post. That makes it about my post, not me.

Shakey got it wrong as proven above.

[guyser]

Where is the balance? Where is anything positive said about the move?

Where is the balance?

So...we have to, if posting about the cpc and stevey that we have to put in some balance or say something postive?

Ok, stevey has a nice family.

[Leafless]

He's referring to New Brunswick

New Brunswick is a province where its majority residents speak English.

New Brunswick has the largest concentration of French speaking only citizens outside the province of Quebec (9.2%) with Ontario following next at .37%.

Few can really understand why anyone initially would want 'official bilingualism' with the English language of New Brunswick at 57% and French only at 9% with other languages spoken.

http://www.roadsidethoughts.com/prov_nb.htm

http://www.languagefairness.org/Bilinguali...ril_1__2003.php

[Michael Bluth]

So...we have to, if posting about the cpc and stevey that we have to put in some balance or say something postive?

shakey said the post was "well balanced and fair". It wasn't. Just proved that.

stevey? I guess that's what you get away with when the rules of the board are 'selectively' enforced.

[M.Dancer]

New Brunswick is a province where its majority residents speak English.

New Brunswick has the largest concentration of French speaking only citizens outside the province of Quebec (9.2%) with Ontario following next at .37%.

Few can really understand why anyone initially would want 'official bilingualism' with the English language of New Brunswick at 57% and French only at 9% with other languages spoken.

Poor leafless....

[Shakeyhands]

Where is the balance? Where is anything positive said about the move?

You need both sides represented to offer balance.

This is everything dobbin said about the move.

Where is the balance?

He asked a direct question about my post. That makes it about my post, not me.

Shakey got it wrong as proven above.

Every comment made isn't an attack Michael, JD actually represented both sides of the issue in two sentences, though it may make those that do not want to recognize bilinguilism happy, Steve is thinking about the entire electorate.

My friend, I think you need to go out, have a drink or two and try your chances with the ladies... relax a little, its like milk.

[Leafless]

Poor leafless....

Like the old saying goes...

There is a sucker born every minute.

In Canada we have a country full of idiots to dumb to ask questions and demand answers.

[Michael Bluth]

Every comment made isn't an attack Michael, JD actually represented both sides of the issue in two sentences, though it may make those that do not want to recognize bilinguilism happy, Steve is thinking about the entire electorate.

JD, never said anything positive about the Conservatives.

It's good you interpreted it that way, but it isn't clear to the casual observer.

Thanks for the advice with the ladies, but I do ok anyways...

[Keepitsimple]

A pessimist would say that Harper is pandering to voters that are left of Center. An optimist would say that the Conservatives are trying to govern for all Canadians. A pragmatist like myself says, I don't really care - because the government is addressing issues from pretty much a central viewpoint. Most times they'll tip a bit right - but sometimes a teeny bit left (oh my god!)......but let's face it, any successful government has to placate their core constituency while extending their reach and broadening their base. You do that by sanding off the rough edges on the right and reaching beyond the center to address concerns of the center left. Harper's playing the pragmatist - slow and steady - incremental, comfortable change.

[jdobbin]

What response in this thread attacks the Conservatives? I must have missed it.

I can't believe the ruckus this has kicked up.

The two appointments this week by Harper are attempt to shore up support in two critical areas for the Tories. The first with Johnson was an attempt to shore up support in Quebec in regards to Kyoto. The second was to shore up support in Quebec on the French language because of the critical report made by the Official Languages Commissioner.

There are many on the right wing, especially in the west that want no part of the French language for services. That isn't something that I've made up. It is reflected in polls and commentary. It is deeply entrenched and it is not likely to be assuaged by anything short of a retreat.

Lord's proposals are likely going to be controversial in parts of the west. It will alienate the base for the Conservatives who have never accepted the French language in federal offices outside of Quebec.