Official bilingualism has been a Canadian way of life for 53 years, but most people still can’t carry on a simple conversation in French, says Blacklock’s Reporter..The Liberals as early as Tuesday will reintroduce a bill mandating use of French in the federally regulated private sector..“The findings of this research are intended to inform the Office of the Languages Commissioner as well as stakeholders in and outside of government about the public’s attitudes and perceptions of official languages and bilingualism,” said an in-house government report..“The findings will be of particular use for better understanding the state of public opinion.”.Pollsters reported 60% of English speakers said they could not carry on a French conversation. Asked why, responses included “I do not need to” (24%) and “I am just not interested” (16%)..The report found 24% of French speakers could not carry on a conversation in English. Findings were based on questionnaires with 1,500 people nationwide. The Commissioner of Official Languages paid $136,174 for the report by Environics Research Group..Cabinet as early as Tuesday is expected to reintroduce legislation that for the first time would mandate French in the federally regulated private sector like air travel, banking, broadcasting, marine shipping and cross-border trucking..A similar Bill C-32 An Act To Amend The Official Languages Act was introduced June 15 but lapsed in the last Parliament..“We have committed to reintroducing legislation to modernize and strengthen the Official Languages Act that will take concrete steps to recognize the minority context of French in North America and the need to further protect it,” the Department of Canadian Heritage wrote in a November 10 briefing note..Francophones will comprise as little as 17% of the Canadian population by 2036, wrote staff..“We should provide Francophone minority communities with even more assistance,” then-Languages Minister Mélanie Joly testified last June 1 at the Commons languages committee..“We know there is a risk of assimilation and we recognize that French in the country has been declining.”.“All Canadians should recognize themselves in the Official Languages Act. Both official languages should be on an equal footing. In other words, substantive equality should exist between English and French. The government is responsible for ensuring everyone has the opportunity to learn, speak and live in French in Canada, as is the case in English of course.”
