Post by Max on Jul 8, 2007 7:15:58 GMT -3
Sudbury Star
Letters & Issues - Friday, July 06, 2007 @ 09:00
Re: English-only job applicants suffer in bilingual job market - June 29.
As a political science student at Laurentian University and a proud francophone, I feel I must correct a few facts.
Ontario is not a bilingual province, as the letter stated. New Brunswick is actually the only officially bilingual province, followed by all three territories, whose populations can also claim French and English as their official languages.
However, there is a law in Ontario, the French Language Services Act (1990) (www.ofa.gov.on.ca/francais/loi.html) that guarantees French services in designated areas of the province.
Considering that the City of Greater Sudbury is home to more than 40,000 francophones (www40.statcan.ca/l02/cst01/demo12d_f.htm), which is more than all language groups combined other than anglophones, it is no wonder that it is one of the regions that must offer services in French.
It is most likely much easier for government organizations to employ bilingual people, as they will be able to comply with regulations more easily and serve their patrons in the official language of their choice.
Also, regarding the comment in the letter: "Should French-speaking people not have to learn to speak English?"
In Sudbury, francophones live in an English environment. We are not given the choice to learn English, unlike the writer, who chose not to learn French. I do agree that the writer was put at a disadvantage for not learning French as a child and not being advised growing up that knowing French would be an asset in the job market. However, at this point, the writer is choosing not to learn French.
Learning French would put people ahead in the job market, but also allow them to communicate with and offer services to a language group recognized officially in Canada as a courtesy to them. They are patrons requiring services from a public business or government office and deserve to be served in the language of their choice, just as anglophones can go anywhere in Ontario and receive services in English.
When I demand services in my language, it is not because I don't speak English, it's because I have the right to receive services in the language of my choice. When I speak French to co-workers, friends, family and other members of the community, it is because I can.
Lynn Despatie
Sudbury
Letters & Issues - Friday, July 06, 2007 @ 09:00
Re: English-only job applicants suffer in bilingual job market - June 29.
As a political science student at Laurentian University and a proud francophone, I feel I must correct a few facts.
Ontario is not a bilingual province, as the letter stated. New Brunswick is actually the only officially bilingual province, followed by all three territories, whose populations can also claim French and English as their official languages.
However, there is a law in Ontario, the French Language Services Act (1990) (www.ofa.gov.on.ca/francais/loi.html) that guarantees French services in designated areas of the province.
Considering that the City of Greater Sudbury is home to more than 40,000 francophones (www40.statcan.ca/l02/cst01/demo12d_f.htm), which is more than all language groups combined other than anglophones, it is no wonder that it is one of the regions that must offer services in French.
It is most likely much easier for government organizations to employ bilingual people, as they will be able to comply with regulations more easily and serve their patrons in the official language of their choice.
Also, regarding the comment in the letter: "Should French-speaking people not have to learn to speak English?"
In Sudbury, francophones live in an English environment. We are not given the choice to learn English, unlike the writer, who chose not to learn French. I do agree that the writer was put at a disadvantage for not learning French as a child and not being advised growing up that knowing French would be an asset in the job market. However, at this point, the writer is choosing not to learn French.
Learning French would put people ahead in the job market, but also allow them to communicate with and offer services to a language group recognized officially in Canada as a courtesy to them. They are patrons requiring services from a public business or government office and deserve to be served in the language of their choice, just as anglophones can go anywhere in Ontario and receive services in English.
When I demand services in my language, it is not because I don't speak English, it's because I have the right to receive services in the language of my choice. When I speak French to co-workers, friends, family and other members of the community, it is because I can.
Lynn Despatie
Sudbury