Bilingualism Policy In Canada Essay

The Official Bilingualism Policy in Canada Is Effect

Canada is the second-largest country with various cultures. The multiculturalism is a significant feature of Canada, which includes the first nation, immigration and so on. Canadian culture had influenced by the development of history, especially the French culture. The Quebec is a French-speaking province with a large number of French speakers, and it reserves the French traditional custom and architectural style. French culture is an important part of Canada not only in regions but also in language. The official languages of Canada are English and French, which is a bilingualism policy in Canada as well. The official bilingualism policy is effect for three reasons, including historical

background, influences on Canada. Although some people think that the official bilingualism policy has limitation and exists the potential problem, overall this policy is effective because of the historical development, influences on Canadian public service and the education system.
Some people think that the official bilingualism policy has some limits and future problems because fewer people speak French gradually.

According to the 2001 census data, the author Cardinal said: “ Only 17.7 percent of Canadians can conduct a conversation in both official languages.” She believed, “ In comparison with other countries, Canadians are less bilingual than even the British (24.8 percent) (Cardinal, 2004). From her research; she thinks that the bilingualism policy cannot reflect the fairness well between French and English. Admittedly, it is a fact that the number of French speakers is one fifth of the English speakers, but it does not mean the policy is unfair. The official bilingualism policy is not a law to balance the number of English or French users; it is a policy to maintain the cultural diversity and provide more convenient services for all Canadian

people.
The official bilingualism in Canada is a basic and an effective policy that was formed by history. The Royal Commission of Bilingualism and Biculturalism (Bi and Bi Commission) was established in 1963 to solve the issue that the relations between English and French, especially in Quebec province. The bi and bi commission indicated that the official bilingualism policy should be introduced and the official language should be French and English. In 1969, the official bilingualism policy was approved that both English and French are the official languages of Canada. According to Canada's constitution, the bilingualism policy is applied for all purposes of the Parliament and Government of Canada, “Have equality status and equal rights and privileges as to their use in all the institutions of the Parliament and Government of Canada." (Westhues, 2006) The bilingualism action was decided into three parts, including requiring or encouraging federal or lower government providing government services in both official languages, providing goods or services in both languages in Canadian society (such as the products must be labeled in both English and French), promoting or encouraging the use of two official languages. In other words, the official bilingualism policy ensured that people could use their own languages in any formal occasions and daily life. This policy shows that French is a necessary part of Canadian culture because the Canadian federal government encourages using and learning French.
It is an effective policy for all Canadian people because the public services have been improved by bilingualism. People of each linguistic group may feel inconvenient before introducing the bilingual policy because the language is a problem to fit into society. However, the situation has been changed for the bilingual culture can be seen everywhere. For example, each product must be labeled in English and French and the notice in every public place need to be written in both languages. The bilingualism policy not only focuses on promoting public service but also in Canadian culture. The Quebec keeps the cultural diversity and lifestyle. The people in Quebec benefit from the bilingual policy because they have the advantage to experience two cultures.
Expect of the historical development and public services, the official bilingualism policy have effects on education.

The education is a necessary part of the official bilingualism policy because this policy promoted the linguistic diversity, which means many English language schools were built in Quebec, while French language schools were built in the rest regions as well. No matter the French users or English users can get an education in Canada. The bilingualism policy is an effective way to learn the language and develop the intelligence. Expect the historical development and influences on Canada; the official bilingualism policy has effects on education. The education is a necessary part of the official bilingualism policy because this policy promoted the linguistic diversity, which means many English language schools were built in Quebec, while French language schools were built in the rest regions as well. No matter the French users or English users can get an education in Canada. The bilingualism policy is an effective way to learn the language and develop the intelligence. Moreover, the immersion program was started due to the bilingual education. The Immersion program is about immersion French schools, which means students are encouraged to learn French through the daily study and conversation, but the immersion program is an option for children studying French and not mandatory. There are some benefits of the immersion program. First, students have higher

academic achievement than regular class after finishing the program. Second, the students who can speak two languages have more job opportunities. Third, the students have better linguistic advantages and deeper comprehensive abilities when they adapt to the society.
In conclusion, the official bilingualism policy is an effective policy and influences Canada. Even though some people think that this policy is not necessary anymore, it still needs to be applied. The bilingual policy is a feather of Canada, and it shows the Canadian culture and history. The Canadian culture needs to be identified by the symbols of Canada not only in hockey or maple leaf but also the bilingual policy presents the Canadian culture.