Alberta: Francophone scores key win in court

[Oleg Bach]

We're in 2008. Those of us who have joined the 21th century (forgive me if I believe it includes you) are passed the Conqueror-conquered mentality.

Try to stand up for your true and real human rights in Canada - YOU WILL BE CONQUERED. It's more of an internal constant conquering that goes on in Canada. We do not have justice nor is their loyality to those that are industrious and patriotic...maybe globalism has always existed and what's happening now is not new. To think we are passed the Conquering mentality and have some how entered into the age of enlightenment is a joke - we are barbarians. Barbarians are habitualist conquerors.

[Bryan]

For greater clarification, as stated in the previous exerpt from Wikipedia, Official Bilingualism is constitutionally enforced only at the Federal Level (which it has been determined includes all courts). Provinces choose their own official language(s) - New Brunswick is the *only* bilingual province, ng in NB *must* be bilingual, and every interaction with the police must be conducted in the official language of the citizen's preference.

In other provinces, except Quebec, the police (and other provincial servants) can conduct their buisiness in English only, if that is there choice, and it is perfectly constitutional, no matter how much someone might wish it were not so.

People always say that, but Manitoba has always recognized both french and english as official languages since its inception. All goverment departments must provide services in French if requested. Not every person on staff has to be bilingual, but every office has to have people that can speak either language. All government documents are issued in both languages (tickets too). Our stop signs are bilingual for crying out loud!! Even in France stop signs just say "STOP".

If that isn't bilingual, what is?

[Leafless]

BTW, the status of English as the first language of the majority of Canadians, and as the main language of commercial in public life in provinces other than Quebec is not under any threat, and any logical person knows it.

The title of this this thread asserts that the the English language is under threat.

And this is why Alberta is appealing a court decision that threw out a traffic ticket against a francophone truck driver because it was written only in English.

Alberta appealing English-only traffic ticket ruling

Last Updated: Thursday, July 24, 2008 | 4:02 PM MT

CBC News

The Alberta government is appealing a court decision that threw out a traffic ticket against a francophone trucker because it was written only in English.

On July 2, provincial court Judge Leo Wenden found Gilles Caron not guilty of making an unsafe left turn because he was handed an English-only ticket

Wendon ruled the ticket issued in 2003 to Caron wasn't valid because it wasn't printed in French.

But Alberta Justice wants a court to clarify whether the province's Languages Act and Traffic Safety Act must be written in both languages.

The Caron decision has no binding effect on other defendants or other legislation.

The Alberta government will argue the judge erred in law when he found Caron not guilty and is appealing the verdict on that basis.

A 1988 Supreme Court of Canada decision ruled that the provinces have the power to determine their own language-rights legislation.

A 90-day stay on the original decision was issued on July 2 and remains in place. No date has been set for the appeal.

Alberta’s traffic rules will continue to be enforced.

http://www.cbc.ca/canada/edmonton/story/20...t-language.html

[CANADIEN]

The title of this this thread asserts that the the English language is under threat.

And this is why Alberta is appealing a court decision that threw out a traffic ticket against a francophone truck driver because it was written only in English.

http://www.cbc.ca/canada/edmonton/story/20...t-language.html

Same old same old Leafless...

It is not because YOU are under the false impression that the English language is under threat when another language appears alongside it on a traffic ticket that such threat exists. English is not threatened in this case.

And it is most definitely not what the Alberta government is arguing in appealing the judgement. It is arguing whether or not it has an obligation under law to have traffic tickets in both English and French.

[Oleg Bach]

What's next - will new French RCMP recurites be able to wear hats made from frozen putine? The french meddling in Alberta are simply trouble makers---why are they trying to spread the disease of division to the plains province? Bad enought that we have this tumour called Quebec dead center a nation. I would say that no French colonies should be allowed in Alberta...maybe they can go to a former African colony to reassert their former colonial glory - NOT in Alberta....you would assme that the English would at least put them in their place out there - must have been some liberal infiltrators at work sullying up Alberta....The French are vanquished in North America and should be oppressed...what's next? Mexicans demanding all blue eye Albertain politicals should resign.???

[Leafless]

Same old same old Leafless...

It is not because YOU are under the false impression that the English language is under threat when another language appears alongside it on a traffic ticket that such threat exists. English is not threatened in this case.

No, of course not.

It is users of the English language that are under attack via corrupt Quebec style language policies.

And it is most definitely not what the Alberta government is arguing in appealing the judgement. It is arguing whether or not it has an obligation under law to have traffic tickets in both English and French.

Yes, to keep it from being attacked by minority misfits.

The appeal was launched to protect the integrity and importance of the de-facto English language in Alberta.

[Oleg Bach]

No, of course not.

It is users of the English language that are under attack via corrupt Quebec style language policies.

Yes, to keep it from being attacked by minority misfits.

The appeal was launched to protect the integrity and importance of the de-facto English language in Alberta.

You come to my house for dinner - you eat with a fork and not your feet - you want to talk...speak English or get out...this is my house. I am not part of some communal kabutz where some jerk will use my toilet paper - covet my wife and brow beat my children with some foriegn endoctrination that undermines my po9wer and authority - you either are the king of your personal realm and home or you are just a common slave where others from afar with have their way with you as you give them a liberal false Christian secular smile and take it up the butt - while more masculine and authorative males become your masters because they are still men.

[CANADIEN]

No, of course not.

It is users of the English language that are under attack via corrupt Quebec style language policies.

Yes, to keep it from being attacked by minority misfits.

The appeal was launched to protect the integrity and importance of the de-facto English language in Alberta.

So... English is not threatened, yes it is under attack... Whatever.

But thanks for revealing that the same kinds of laws that exist in Quebec also exist in Alberta. Who would have suspected parking tickets over there were in English only?

[Leafless]

So... English is not threatened, yes it is under attack... Whatever.

Why bother to reply if you cannot read.

"It is users of the English language that are under attack via corrupt Quebec style language policies."

But thanks for revealing that the same kinds of laws that exist in Quebec also exist in Alberta. Who would have suspected parking tickets over there were in English only?

You have a major problem understanding the limitations of the French language in Canada and the difference between the English language as a national de-facto language vs. an obsolete minority language which is basically used by Quebec as a political tool.

[CANADIEN]

Why bother to reply if you cannot read.

Yes, to keep it from being attacked by minority misfits.

Why bother to reply if you cannot read what you wrote yourself.

You have a major problem understanding (...)

(...) how you keep writing the same non-sense even though it is debunked each time. But don't worry, I understand you'll never get it.

[Leafless]

(...) how you keep writing the same non-sense even though it is debunked each time. But don't worry, I understand you'll never get it.

You have not debunked anything.

All you are doing is falling back on existing corrupt language laws that have all been implemented without any kind of democratic referendum.

[CANADIEN]

You have not debunked anything.

All you are doing is falling back on existing corrupt language laws that have all been implemented without any kind of democratic referendum.

Let me see..

From Quebecers are French instead of Canadians to...

English-speaking Ontarians are being discriminated against to...

Democratically elected bodies are not democratic enough to...

You don't want to prohibit or limit the use of languages other than English...

All debunked myths of yours. And as you demonstrate, you don't get it.

[Leafless]

Let me see..

From Quebecers are French instead of Canadians to...

English-speaking Ontarians are being discriminated against to...

Democratically elected bodies are not democratic enough to...

You don't want to prohibit or limit the use of languages other than English...

All debunked myths of yours. And as you demonstrate, you don't get it.

Quoting segments of sentences/ paragraphs does not debunk anything but only proves your inability to debate properly.

The only thing I get is that you are a French propagandist.

[CANADIEN]

Quoting segments of sentences/ paragraphs does not debunk anything but only proves your inability to debate properly.

The only thing I get is that you are a French propagandist.

This, coming from someone (you) who spends half of his time spewing the same prejudiced drivel and the other hald contradicting and denying his own postings.

You will never get it.

[cybercoma]

No, of course not.

It is users of the English language that are under attack via corrupt Quebec style language policies.

Yes, to keep it from being attacked by minority misfits.

The appeal was launched to protect the integrity and importance of the de-facto English language in Alberta.

There are two official languages in Canada, French and English. The tickets should be available in both languages, even if the cops only issue a french ticket in 1:1,000,000 traffic stops. Furthermore, if someone is arrested (not the same as a ticket, I understand) the police are required to get an interpreter if the arrested person does not understand the language the police officers are using.

Why would the same not be true for issuing a ticket? The police should be obligated to make sure the person receiving the ticket understands what it is and why they're receiving it. Since French and English are the nation's official languages, tickets should be available in those languages and interpreters should be called in for any other language.

This has nothing to do with attacking the english language, in fact it has nothing at all to do with the english language and everything to do with a french person getting a ticket in his language that has official language status in this country.

[CANADIEN]

There are two official languages in Canada, French and English. The tickets should be available in both languages, even if the cops only issue a french ticket in 1:1,000,000 traffic stops. Furthermore, if someone is arrested (not the same as a ticket, I understand) the police are required to get an interpreter if the arrested person does not understand the language the police officers are using.

Why would the same not be true for issuing a ticket? The police should be obligated to make sure the person receiving the ticket understands what it is and why they're receiving it. Since French and English are the nation's official languages, tickets should be available in those languages and interpreters should be called in for any other language.

This has nothing to do with attacking the english language, in fact it has nothing at all to do with the english language and everything to do with a french person getting a ticket in his language that has official language status in this country.

I finally gave myself the time to look at the court judgement.

The issue, actually, is not the ticket, but Alberta's Language Act, which stipulates that the Province's laws are to be in English only.

The Court accepted the defense's argument that the law is unconstitutional because:

a) both English and French were used equally in public administration and courts in what is now Alberta before it was acquired by Canada in 1868;

the equal status of both English and French was maintained, according to the wishes of the majority of the local population, in the Royal Proclamation of 1869 on the annexation of the North-West territories, the law of 1870 creating the Province of Manitoba, and the federal law of 1875 regarding the North-West Territory;

c) the Proclamation of 1869 and the 1870 Manitoba Act are to be considered part of the Constitution, and therefore cannot be overridden by an Alberta law promulgated after 1982, therefore that law is unconstitutional

I will admit I find part C of the argument a bit far fetched, but the law is the law.

As for some of the arguments aadvanced here:

1) "They can speak English anyway": French-speaking Albertans are full-fledged and equal inhabitants of that Province. Either English and French have full equal status, or they don't. If they do, then all Albertans have the right to use one of these languages when dealing with the provincial government, regardless of how well they can speak the other language

2) "The rights of Alberta's English-speakers are under attack". Nonsense. Nobody is denying the right of any Albertan to use English.

[Leafless]

This has nothing to do with attacking the english language, in fact it has nothing at all to do with the english language and everything to do with a french person getting a ticket in his language that has official language status in this country.

Sorry but French does not have equal status in this country.

French as an official language is only recognized by the federal government and its entities.

Alberta is a province in Canada where language is not under federal government jurisdiction.

Alberta could make the English language the official language of Alberta tomorrow.

A 1988 Supreme Court of Canada decision ruled that the provinces have the power to determine their own language-rights legislation.

http://www.cbc.ca/canada/edmonton/story/20...t-language.html

Edited August 31, 2008 by Leafless

[CANADIEN]

Sorry but French does not have equal status in this country.

Sorry, it does.

French as an official language is only recognized by the federal government and its entities.

I was not aware that the Governments of Quebec and New Brunswick were entities of the federal Government.

Alberta is a province in Canada where language is not under federal government jurisdiction.

The Government of Alberta is bound by the Constitution and a Provincial Court recently invalidated two of its laws.

Alberta could make the English language the official language of Alberta tomorrow.

http://www.cbc.ca/canada/edmonton/story/20...t-language.html

I would be curious to know which 1988 decision of the Supreme Court CBC Edmonton bases its ocnlusions on. I took a quick look, and could not find it.

[Leafless]

Sorry, it does.

Then show me that piece of language legislation that says English and French are equal in all provinces in Canada.

I was not aware that the Governments of Quebec and New Brunswick were entities of the federal Government.

They are not.

It is New Brunswick that recognizes both federal official languages (English and French). And New Brunswick is having linguistic problems relating to bilingualism in New Brunswick.

This is separate from the federal government having full control of federal official language status under its entities.

The federal government does not recognize the minority French language as being the official language relating to work and commerce in Quebec.

The Government of Alberta is bound by the Constitution and a Provincial Court recently invalidated two of its laws.

What constitutional laws are you talking about?

[CANADIEN]

Then show me that piece of language legislation that says English and French are equal in all provinces in Canada.

The Constitution recognizes French and English as the two official languages of Canada.

They are not.

Yet you wrote that only the federal government and its entities recognized French as having an official status. But do not worry, we are all used to you contradicting yourself.

It is New Brunswick that recognizes both federal official languages (English and French). And New Brunswick is having linguistic problems relating to bilingualism in New Brunswick.

This is separate from the federal government having full control of federal official language status under its entities.

And prey tell what would those problems be?

The federal government does not recognize the minority French language as being the official language relating to work and commerce in Quebec.

Labour relations (except for federally regulated business) and intra-provincial commerce are areas of provincial jurisdiction.

What constitutional laws are you talking about?

Why am I not surprised? You started the the thread by whining about a court judgement, and you don't even know what it was about. The Court invalidated two Alberta laws, the Language Act and the Traffic Safety Act, as well as the Use of Highways and Rules of The Road Regulations.

[Leafless]

The Constitution recognizes French and English as the two official languages of Canada.

Not on a provincial basis, only on a federal basis.

So provincially speaking those two FEDERAL official languages do not exist, except in the province of New Brunswick that has declared itself official bilingual.

And prey tell what would those problems be?

'Prey'?

The latest?

French immersion.

http://oncampus.macleans.ca/education/2008...ench-immersion/

Labour relations (except for federally regulated business) and intra-provincial commerce are areas of provincial jurisdiction.

Another way of saying it is not the federal governments business.

What else is to be expected from Quebec relating to conforming to the traditions of the majority.

And yes, the federal government could act by punishing Quebec.

Why am I not surprised? You started the the thread by whining about a court judgement, and you don't even know what it was about. The Court invalidated two Alberta laws, the Language Act and the Traffic Safety Act, as well as the Use of Highways and Rules of The Road Regulations.

It is not my business to argue that particular aspect that is currently before the courts and I don't think it is yours either.

[CANADIEN]

provincially speaking those two FEDERAL official languages do not exist, except in the province of New Brunswick that has declared itself official bilingual.

English doesn't exist in Ontario? That's probably why I never hear it.

'Prey'?

The latest?

French immersion.

http://oncampus.macleans.ca/education/2008...ench-immersion/

Once again, you are proving you cannot read. The New Brunswick government is scrapping earlt French immersion because they think starting immersion in Grade 5 is a BETTER way to TEACH French as a second language, not because they think the rights of anyone in the Province are harmed.

Another way of saying it is not the federal governments business. And yes, the federal government could act by punishing Quebec.

In another word, it is the federal government business when it serves your bigotry.

[CANADIEN]

It is not my business to argue that particular aspect that is currently before the courts and I don't think it is yours either.

My deepest apologies. I was under the false impression that you started the thread. :lol:

[Leafless]

English doesn't exist in Ontario? That's probably why I never hear it.

In Ontario a province that is over 96% English and you have never heard it?

It would appear you have been successful with isolating yourself in your own little French enclave.

Once again, you are proving you cannot read.

I cannot read? The article says otherwise.

New Brunswick — Canada’s only officially bilingual province — is scrapping early French immersion in its anglophone school system in favour of an intensive French program for all students as of Grade 5.The move follows a controversial report that concluded 91 per cent of the roughly 1,500 New Brunswick kids who started early immersion in 1995 dropped out of the program by the time they reached high school.

Education Minister Kelly Lamrock says it’s been shown that students who begin second-language training later achieve better results.

The Liberal government wants 70 per cent of students to be bilingual by 2012, but at the moment, only a fraction of graduating students are proficient in French.

Under the changes, which take effect this fall, all Grade 5 students will receive intensive French education, and then have the choice to enter French immersion in Grade 6.

Lamrock says the change will give all students equal access to seven years of second-language training.

Any students currently enrolled in early immersion will be allowed to continue.

Bwa-ha-ha-ha. Looks like nobody wants French immersion.

In another word, it is the federal government business when it serves your bigotry.

Better check out the definition of dysfunctional again.

[Leafless]

My deepest apologies. I was under the false impression that you started the thread. :lol:

Typical self serving arrogant francophone.