$$$$ French language funding for 2010 Olympics $$$$

[Knox]

E-newsletter from Canadians for Language Fairness
http://www.languagefairness.ca

The message today will focus on British Columbia at the Western extremity of Canada. There, the minuscule number of French-speakers (less than 1%) are given massive financial support from the government of all levels. Why have we given the French-speakers so much power? We allowed ONE French politician to change the whole face of Canada, from a true democracy where the majority rules to a demockery where the minority takes control. The Charter of Rights & Freedoms took away all the inherent rights of a free people (inherited from Britain under the Common Law & Magna Carta) & gave us Human Rights Commissions where Freedom of Speech is being curtailed because minorities are protected beyond reasonable limits; and of course the Official Languages Act where a small proportion of people (3% outside Quebec) are given the weapon to discriminate against the majority. No prize to name that champion of French Rights may his memory be forever reviled!!
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Monday, January 26, 2009, 9:58 PM

Honorable Stephen Harper,

Prime Minister of Canada.

Dear Prime Minister Harper:

I'm submitting this letter and attached Canadian Press article
outlining Quebec's request for more French at the Vancouver 2010 Olympics. I feel as a former member of the Reform Party, Alliance Party and supporter of you and your government, it is important that you be aware of division in Canada that has been created by Official Bilingualism and the continued drive by Quebec to impose French on the rest of Canada even if the Citizens are opposed.

The enforcement of an unwanted but costly Official Bilingualism policy on
Western Canada where less than five percent of the population either speak or read French to give the World the false impression that we are a
bilingual Nation angers a growing number of Western Canadians. The Equalization Grant Policy that has favored Quebec every year since it's inception adds further fuel to the fires of division.

These policies have been a fundamental factor in the growing support
for Western Separation and Independence, to give Western Canadians the Freedom to which they are entitled. In these difficult financial times putting an end to the fourty year old failed policy of Official Bilingualism would be accepted by a majority of Canadians as a positive financial move by government and could even slow down the movement for Western Separation.

Thank you for your consideration.

Yours truly,

Ken Kellington,

[Harry]

I'LL DRINK TO THAT. THANK YOU.

[Heartofsong83]

Quebec should have no say on matters outside its own province. Since when does a provincial government have the right to control things outside its own borders?

[Michel ESL]

The enforcement of an unwanted but costly Official Bilingualism policy on Western Canada where less than five percent of the population either speak or read French to give the World the false impression that we are a bilingual Nation angers a growing number of Western Canadians.

Not only in Western Canada. Is there someone on this board who has ever worked for the federal government, in Ottawa? All the time and money spent on translating even the smallest internal sub-division memos... all the ineffiencies in meetings that have to be bilingual... all the misunderstanding between people... all the injustice for the english-speakers who are denied promotions unless they become fluent enough in french. I would have so much to say about it.

[Conservative Boy]

Quebec should have no say on matters outside its own province. Since when does a provincial government have the right to control things outside its own borders?

Because this issue has to do with language and bilingualism, I think what they are saying is it is a federal issue which applies across Canada and not just in Quebec. They are saying that by law Francophones should have the right to services in their own language.

However, while the Federal government may be obligated by law to provide services in both languages under the "Official Languages Act", I'm not sure if broadcasters and others can be required to follow quite the same standard.

[The Devil's Advocate]

Quebec should have no say on matters outside its own province. Since when does a provincial government have the right to control things outside its own borders?

Because this issue has to do with language and bilingualism, I think what they are saying is it is a federal issue which applies across Canada and not just in Quebec. They are saying that by law Francophones should have the right to services in their own language.

However, while the Federal government may be obligated by law to provide services in both languages under the "Official Languages Act", I'm not sure if broadcasters and others can be required to follow quite the same standard.

As the games recieved a large amount of federal funds, this kind of thing may be part of the strings attached.

[Heartofsong83]

Quebec should have no say on matters outside its own province. Since when does a provincial government have the right to control things outside its own borders?

Because this issue has to do with language and bilingualism, I think what they are saying is it is a federal issue which applies across Canada and not just in Quebec. They are saying that by law Francophones should have the right to services in their own language.

However, while the Federal government may be obligated by law to provide services in both languages under the "Official Languages Act", I'm not sure if broadcasters and others can be required to follow quite the same standard.

As the games recieved a large amount of federal funds, this kind of thing may be part of the strings attached.

But it was mentioned in the article that it was a request from the Quebec government, not the federal government.

[The Devil's Advocate]

Quebec should have no say on matters outside its own province. Since when does a provincial government have the right to control things outside its own borders?

Because this issue has to do with language and bilingualism, I think what they are saying is it is a federal issue which applies across Canada and not just in Quebec. They are saying that by law Francophones should have the right to services in their own language.

However, while the Federal government may be obligated by law to provide services in both languages under the "Official Languages Act", I'm not sure if broadcasters and others can be required to follow quite the same standard.

As the games recieved a large amount of federal funds, this kind of thing may be part of the strings attached.

But it was mentioned in the article that it was a request from the Quebec government, not the federal government.

Funny, I though they were one and the same.

[calgary clipper]

Let's not forget....

It was Harper and crew who voted in favor of Bill S-3 in 2005 to bring into law an amendment to the Official Languages Act that, in fact, has now solidified that French will be on demand and not where numbers warrant (as was the case before 2005).

Yes, Trudeau and crew did a great deal of damage with their Acts - but this move by the Conservative caucus in 2005 dealt a blow that we will never be able to change.

It accomplished what the Liberal Party has been unable to do in their lifetime - and Trudeau is now laughing from wherever as this is basically what he wanted - to bring anglophone Canada to its collective knees. More billions are destined to feed the dysfunctional mess of Official Bilingualism and any challenge with the new amendment in place is bound to be denied by the Supreme Court.

Had the Conservatives brought up for debate what was being attempted via Bill S-3 at the time, it would never have passed. Many of the Conservative caucus in 2005 have moved on to a lucrative pension now and perhaps even other political perks. Shame on them for what they have left the upcoming generation

[Madrod]

Shame on Canadians for letting all this crap go down in the first place.We are getting all that our collective apathy deserves I guess.

[rbacon]

English Canadians are gutless swine.

[Michel ESL]

rbacon and Madrod: it's the first time I hear/read a confession like that. Alleluia! Maybe there's some hope after all. As a former Quebecker (french-speaking), I have reached the same conclusion several years ago. French-Quebec is holding Canada by the balls, because English-Canadians, as a people, have no spine.

[styky]

So long as this is an Olympics put on by "Canada" and Canada has two official languages then I have no problem with both of those langages having equality.

[Dogpatch]

Let's not forget....

It was Harper and crew who voted in favor of Bill S-3 in 2005 to bring into law an amendment to the Official Languages Act that, in fact, has now solidified that French will be on demand and not where numbers warrant (as was the case before 2005).

Yes, Trudeau and crew did a great deal of damage with their Acts - but this move by the Conservative caucus in 2005 dealt a blow that we will never be able to change.

It accomplished what the Liberal Party has been unable to do in their lifetime - and Trudeau is now laughing from wherever as this is basically what he wanted - to bring anglophone Canada to its collective knees. More billions are destined to feed the dysfunctional mess of Official Bilingualism and any challenge with the new amendment in place is bound to be denied by the Supreme Court.

Had the Conservatives brought up for debate what was being attempted via Bill S-3 at the time, it would never have passed. Many of the Conservative caucus in 2005 have moved on to a lucrative pension now and perhaps even other political perks. Shame on them for what they have left the upcoming generation

It wasn't Trudeau; it was Pearson's government that started it.

[rbacon]

Dogpatch I do believe it was Trudeau that forced it upon all English speakers in Canada without our consent. And had it enshrined in his and Chretiens Constitution without ratification by Canadian voters. Usually the basic requirement of a Constitution purporting to be the Supreme Law of the Land and belonging to the People. Nothing has changed. The cow is fed and watered in the West, milked in Ontario and Quebec and it shits in Atlantic Canada. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z_u7VGiM ... chive.html