Bilingualism part of what makes us Canadian
Posted Mar 11, 2010 By Doug Phillips
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Tweet ThisDear Editor:
Last summer I visited the headquarters of the Rideau Canal in Smiths Falls in connection with some research I was conducting. I had to wait at the reception area for a few minutes for the person I was meeting to appear.
While waiting, I exchanged a few pleasantries with the receptionist. Then, a young couple entered the building, approached the receptionist and initiated a conversation en Français. The receptionist replied in excellent French and, after a brief and obviously satisfactory exchange, the couple went on their way.
I remember thinking at the time that Mike Pearson would be pleased. His government established the Bi-Bi (Bilingualism and Biculturalism) Commission in 1963, which led to the creation of the Official Languages Act in 1969. This statute declared French and English to be the official languages of Canada, and under which all federal institutions must provide their services in English or French at the customer's choice.
I wish that I had expressed my positive opinion of this microcosm of one aspect of what it means to be a Canadian at the time. Unfortunately I did not.
However, after reading the screed that appeared on page 38 of the March 4 edition (Reflections column by Jeff Maguire), I thought better late than never.
Doug Phillips
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