Bilingualism Within a Multicultural Framework

This understanding stems from the understanding that many Canadians have about the idea of “two nations” in the country being of two founding peoples, the English and the French, but this sense of agreement ends here (Elliott 1). This reality has since expanded to encompass Aboriginals under this idea of nation founders, amidst an ever-expanding multicultural understanding of Canada. The historical foundations of the RCBB were sparked by a period of great change in Canada during the 1960s, especially in terms of the immigrant policies. These changes stood to both change and challenge previous immigration requirements, which were based on geographical and racial exclusion (Haque 20). With the demand for labour increasing in Canada, the immigration laws needed to be changed in order to allow for an increase in immigration once again. Though, this is not to say all dissimilarity elements of immigration were eliminated” (Haque 20). Opposition toward multiculturalism remains strong in Québec, while they participate in programs, which fund multiculturalism, their general stance often remains negative (Cardozo 170-171). This longstanding dislocation between the French and English stems back to a time where Quebec was looking for equality as the bulk of major economic institutions were oriented towards an English-speaking way of life.

It was not until the Quiet Revolution where the voices of Quebecers were surfacing, as they demanded equality and the mobilization of their language rights (Haque 21). They were largely self-interested and this idea of selling multiculturalism was seen as an illusion, which painted Canada with a very uncomfortable picture of immigration (Bissoondath 23). The lack of policies that accompanied multiculturalis...

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...lticulturalism is strongly supported within the dynamic of historical and modern Canada. This paper has deconstructed the understanding put forward in Eve Haque’s work, in “The Bilingual Limits of Canadian Multiculturalism: The Politics of Language and Race,” which argues that bilingualism sets limits on Canadian multiculturalism. While also deconstructing Foucault’s assessment of genealogy, the counties history, and construction of the Royal Commission of Bilingualism and Biculturalism (RCBB) it reflects a bilingual binary necessary for a dynamic multicultural nation that is Canada. The rich history that is supported and developed within Canada’s multicultural policy and its intertwining bilingual and bicultural realities today, far outweigh the realities of yesterday, although they are not forgotten and are used to shape the picture of contemporary Canadian life.