Canada and Official Bilingualism

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Canada is a very different country, unlike any other nation on earth. The country’s people have always been a very inclusive culture and are known around the world as being oddly, overly friendly. This may be only an outward projection as it is not always the case when discussing the relationship between English and French Canada. History tells us that on February 03, 1763, Britain and France signed the Paris Treaty, ending the Seven Years’ War. With Britain as the victor, France agreed to sign over sovereignty of its lands, and its citizens in Canada, to the British Empire (Batailles). For the past 248 years Canada has tried to become one culture, a Canadian culture, but has failed miserably. The Official Language Act of 1969 was a courageous example of the distance this nation would go to enhance its own sense of unity and oneness. After several referendums, accords, and even home grown terrorism, it is apparent that the present course of cultural reform has been a colossal miscalculation. What was meant to unite the people of this great nation may have, in some cases, directly led to its divisions and conflict that are so palpable today.

Many people in Canada still believe in official bilingualism as it is a part of their mutual belief in multiculturalism. Prime Minister Trudeau’s faith that this would help to reform the nation into one great country, by dismantling the barriers between these two cultures exhibited the true grit of this great leader (Collectionscanada). This act was a noble and audacious experiment by a man daring enough to try something different. In theory, this initiative that displayed such tremendous deliberation and wisdom, was seen by many to be absolutely infallible. Trudeau’s philosop...

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... which second languages are to be taught. Provincial choices for second language training would be determined by which languages would give the greatest benefit to the region. This direction would lead to “buy in” from a greater proportion of the population across Canada, not specific to certain provinces. How could any intelligent Canadian deny this benefit to their children? It would be looked at as an excellent opportunity for all people in all areas, not a submissive response to heavy handed governmental control. This immigrant country would then grow to speak many languages, internal and external barriers would be removed and the prosperity, both culturally and economically would be unquestionably better. As a whole, the Canadian culture, redefined, would start to emerge for the world to see and would be an example to other countries around the world.

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