DIALOGUE CANADA
DIALOGUE CANADA
OTTAWA, THE CANADIAN BILINGUAL CAPITAL
INDEX
- Jon Legg and Viateur Bergeron: What Is a National Capital?
- Rolande Faucher: Bilinguisme: pourquoi reprendre ce débat?
- Thomas McQuiston's Letter to Claude Bennett
- Marcel Gervais: To the parishioners of the Archdiocese of Ottawa
- Ottawa Transition Board's Language Policy for New City
- Ottawa's Future Together
- Ottawa as an Officially Bilingual Capital
- Dyane Adam: The City of Ottawa : Canada's National Capital
- Clinton Archibald: Ottawa, ville bilingue?
- You can make a difference
WHAT IS A NATIONAL CAPITAL?Canada is our country, Ottawa is our capital ! Will it remain a real national capital for all Canadians ?
According to our Constitution, English and French are the official languages of Canada and have equality of status and equal rights and privileges as to their use in all institutions of the Parliament and government of Canada.
English and French are the official languages of the City of Ottawa. The current municipal legislation provides that they possess and enjoy equality of status and equal rights and privileges as to their use in Council, in all Committees of Council and in the municipal administration.
Ottawa, our national capital, is expanding by virtue of a law adopted by the Ontario Legislature which amalgamates eleven urban and rural municipalities. 125 000 French-speaking citizens and 600 000 English-speaking citizens will be served by the newly restructured City of Ottawa, as well as millions of visitors from all over Canada and the world. Don't you think that the equality of English and French which currently prevails must be maintained in our expanded national capital ?
Don't you think that the expanded Ottawa must continue to recognize, reflect and respect English and French as the official languages of Canada ? Any setback could have unacceptable consequences for our country.
It is therefore very important, as a Canadian citizen, that you take a stand on this matter. Communicate your support,for a bilingual capital, to Mr. Claude Bennett, Chair of the Transition Board, at the address below, and also send a copy of your letter to the Editor of the newspapers published in your area.
Mr. Claude Bennett
Chair, Transition Board
Regional Municipality of Ottawa-Carleton
Ottawa-Carleton Centre, Cartier Square
111 Lisgar Street
Ottawa, Ontario
K2P 2L7
Fax: (613) 580-4752
E-mail: info@ottawatransition.on.ca
Viateur Bergeron, Hull, Québec
May 7, 2000
BILINGUISME: POURQUOI REPRENDRE CE DÉBAT?
M. Claude Bennett, président du Comité d="square">Clinton Archibald: Ottawa, ville bilingue?You can make a difference
Canada is our country, Ottawa is our capital ! Will it remain a real national capital for all Canadians ?
According to our Constitution, English and French are the official languages of Canada and have equality of status and equal rights and privileges as to their use in all institutions of the Parliament and government of Canada.
English and French are the official languages of the City of Ottawa. The current municipal legislation provides that they possess and enjoy equality of status and equal rights and privileges as to their use in Council, in all Committees of Council and in the municipal administration.
Ottawa, our national capital, is expanding by virtue of a law adopted by
the Ontario Legislature which amalgamates eleven urban and rural
municipalities. 125 000 French-speaking citizens and 600 000
English-speaking citizens will be served by the newly restructured City of
Ottawa, as well as millions of visitors from all over Canada and the world.
Don't you think that the equality of English and French which currently
e transition de la ville d'Ottawa,
Comme il est triste de devoir venir revendiquer devant le Comité de transition que vous présidez la reconnaissance du français et de l'anglais à titre de deux langues officielles au sein de l'administration de la future grande ville d'Ottawa!
Ayant cru que ce genre de discussion était chose du passé, sachant pertinemment qu'une majorité de gens, francophones et anglophones. qui habitent notre belle région appuient ce principe. je ne croyais pas le voir débattre ainsi de nouveau sur la place publique.
Il est triste, en plus, de lire dans les journaux de langue anglaise ces sorties de personnes hostiles au concept de dualité linguistique et qui semblent sortir d'un âge lointain où ce débat n'avait pas eu lieu.
Je suis native de la basse ville d'Ottawa et ai. connu la période où les irréductibles francophones, tels les Gaulois dans Astérix, se cramponnaient dans ce secteur de la ville afin de pouvoir vivre leur francité.
Depuis, j'ai été témoin du lent cheminement que la notion de dualité linguistique (que je préfère à celle de bilinguisme) a connu et de sa lente et parfois pénible implantation dans la région.
Je me souviens, entre autres, du rapport Bradet, qui a tracé les grandes lignes de cette implantation à la ville d'Ottawa, au début des années 1980, des comités francophones ou de="square">Clinton Archibald: Ottawa, ville bilingue?
Canada is our country, Ottawa is our capital ! Will it remain a real national capital for all Canadians ?
According to our Constitution, English and French are the official languages of Canada and have equality of status and equal rights and privileges as to their use in all institutions of the Parliament and government of Canada.
English and French are the official languages of the City of Ottawa. The current municipal legislation provides that they possess and enjoy equality of status and equal rights and privileges as to their use in Council, in all Committees of Council and in the municipal administration.
Ottawa, our national capital, is expanding by virtue of a law adopted by the Ontario Legislature which amalgamates eleven urban and rural municipalities. 125 000 French-speaking citizens and 600 000 English-speaking citizens will be served by the newly restructured City of Ottawa, as well as millions of visitors from all over Canada and the world. Don't you think that the equality of English and French which currently bilinguisme de la ville d'Ottawa qui l'ont suivi; je me souviens des revendications des francophones d'Orléans auprès de la ville de Gloucester et de Cumberland, du leadership exercé dans ce domaine par la mairie de Vanier et, enfin, des débats plus récents sur la question à la Région d'Ottawa-Carleton.
Lentement, telle une fleur au printemps. la dualité linguistique s'est éclose et a grandi dans la région, devenant chose comprise par la plupart de nos dirigeants depuis une vingtaine d'années et semant son parfum de bonne entente entre les deux groupes linguistiques de la région.
Alors pourquoi devoir reprendre le débat?
Pourquoi agiter les cendres de l'intolérance et de l'incompréhension de certains débats futiles, à mon sens, quand le jardin fleurissait et suscitait l'envie de bien d'autres régions?
La capitale d'un pays qui reconnaît la dualité linguistique comme principe même de son existence et de sa fondation se doit d'endosser ce concept et d'assurer son implantation de façon intégrale dans toute la future administration.
C'est donc la tristesse dans l'âme que je viens accomplir mon devoir et vous demander de reconnaître, au sein de notre future ville d'Ottawa, l'existence de deux groupes linguistiques très vivants et qui méritent une pleine reconnaissance de leur existence.
Assurez que mes petits-enfants, qui sont="square">Clinton Archibald: Ottawa, ville bilingue?
Canada is our country, Ottawa is our capital ! Will it remain a real national capital for all Canadians ?
According to our Constitution, English and French are the official languages of Canada and have equality of status and equal rights and privileges as to their use in all institutions of the Parliament and government of Canada.
English and French are the official languages of the City of Ottawa. The current municipal legislation provides that they possess and enjoy equality of status and equal rights and privileges as to their use in Council, in all Committees of Council and in the municipal administration.
Ottawa, our national capital, is expanding by virtue of a law adopted by the Ontario Legislature which amalgamates eleven urban and rural municipalities. 125 000 French-speaking citizens and 600 000 English-speaking citizens will be served by the newly restructured City of Ottawa, as well as millions of visitors from all over Canada and the world. Don't you think that the equality of English and French which currently la cinquième génération de francophones nés à Ottawa, puissent continuer de profiter, du jardin fleuri des deux langues officielles de la belle ville d'Ottawa.
Rolande Faucher
Ottawa
THOMAS MCQUISTON'S LETTER TO CLAUDE BENNETT
Dear Mr. Bennett:
We read in the Simard Report (1999) that "The linguistic and cultural continuity of Canada's Francophone linguistic minorities is definitly not a foregone conclusion".
There is therefore some urgency in addressing the question of the extension of bilingual services in the amalgamated Ottawa-Carleton region.
If Francophone minorities are to survive, not only must the existing symbols and institutions that reflect Canada's official bilingualism policy be strengthened and maintained, but we must be willing and eager to seize whatever opportunities arise that would promote the development of new ones.
The Ottawa-Carleton amalgamation presents such an opportunity.
Canadians everywhere acknowledge the essential contribution played by the French language and culture in creating a unique Canadian society. We must strive to ensure that Canada always be seen actively to support and nurture the Fre="square">Clinton Archibald: Ottawa, ville bilingue?
Canada is our country, Ottawa is our capital ! Will it remain a real national capital for all Canadians ?
According to our Constitution, English and French are the official languages of Canada and have equality of status and equal rights and privileges as to their use in all institutions of the Parliament and government of Canada.
English and French are the official languages of the City of Ottawa. The current municipal legislation provides that they possess and enjoy equality of status and equal rights and privileges as to their use in Council, in all Committees of Council and in the municipal administration.
Ottawa, our national capital, is expanding by virtue of a law adopted by the Ontario Legislature which amalgamates eleven urban and rural municipalities. 125 000 French-speaking citizens and 600 000 English-speaking citizens will be served by the newly restructured City of Ottawa, as well as millions of visitors from all over Canada and the world. Don't you think that the equality of English and French which currently nch fact in North America.
Not to have a bilingual national capital would convey the clear message that our official bilingual policy was without substance and not to be taken seriously. The national capital region has great symbolic significance. A national capital that did not reflect the officially bilingual character of the country would send out a negative message to all Francophones in Canada. It would also deny one of our major tourist attractions the opportunity to display the bilingual message both nationally and internationally.
We would urge you therefore to use your best offices to ensure that the bilingual services that exist in the present city of Ottawa become an essential feature of the enlarged municipality of Ottawa-Carleton and thus provide an appropriate national capital for all Canadians.
Yours sincerely,
Thomas McQuiston
161 Angus Drive
Toronto, Ontario.
M21 2W9
TO THE PARISHIONERS OF THE ARCHDIOCESE OF OTTAWA
My dear friends:
As citizens of Canada and residents of this region, we are invited to express ourselves on the language policy of the future city of Ottawa.
Since our diocese was established 150 years ="square">Clinton Archibald: Ottawa, ville bilingue?
Canada is our country, Ottawa is our capital ! Will it remain a real national capital for all Canadians ?
According to our Constitution, English and French are the official languages of Canada and have equality of status and equal rights and privileges as to their use in all institutions of the Parliament and government of Canada.
English and French are the official languages of the City of Ottawa. The current municipal legislation provides that they possess and enjoy equality of status and equal rights and privileges as to their use in Council, in all Committees of Council and in the municipal administration.
Ottawa, our national capital, is expanding by virtue of a law adopted by the Ontario Legislature which amalgamates eleven urban and rural municipalities. 125 000 French-speaking citizens and 600 000 English-speaking citizens will be served by the newly restructured City of Ottawa, as well as millions of visitors from all over Canada and the world. Don't you think that the equality of English and French which currently ago, the Church here has promoted respect for both the English and French cultures and has invited both groups to live and work together in peace. Happily, the problems which did arise were generally resolved in a peaceful manner and we have mostly enjoyed harmony and mutual good will.
As a result of this tradition, Catholics of our area should be concerned by a possible reduction in French-language services in the future city of Ottawa. If there is one region of our country where people of both cultures should feel at home, it is certainly the National Capital Region.
The Transition Committee for the new city of Ottawa is asking people of our area to express their concerns about language policy between now and April 26th. I would encourage you to express your views by contacting the committee in one of the following ways.
You can leave a message on the answering machine at (613) 580-4760. You can fax a letter to (613) 580-4752. You can mail your letter to:
Language Policy Group,
Regional Municipality of Ottawa-Carleton,
111, Lisgar Street,
Ottawa, Ontario,
K1 P 2L7.
Finally, you can send an e-mail message to the following address: info@ottawatransition.on.ca
In all cases, for your opinion to be considered, you must be prepared to give your name and your address.
Thanking you for your und="square">Clinton Archibald: Ottawa, ville bilingue?
Canada is our country, Ottawa is our capital ! Will it remain a real national capital for all Canadians ?
According to our Constitution, English and French are the official languages of Canada and have equality of status and equal rights and privileges as to their use in all institutions of the Parliament and government of Canada.
English and French are the official languages of the City of Ottawa. The current municipal legislation provides that they possess and enjoy equality of status and equal rights and privileges as to their use in Council, in all Committees of Council and in the municipal administration.
Ottawa, our national capital, is expanding by virtue of a law adopted by the Ontario Legislature which amalgamates eleven urban and rural municipalities. 125 000 French-speaking citizens and 600 000 English-speaking citizens will be served by the newly restructured City of Ottawa, as well as millions of visitors from all over Canada and the world. Don't you think that the equality of English and French which currently erstanding and your consideration, I remain
Yours sincerely in Christ,
Marcel Gervais
Archbishop of Ottawa
Do not hesitate to share your point of view at the following email address: info@ottawatransition.on.ca
NOTE : Each letter must be signed and contain the postal address of the author.
OTTAWA TRANSITION BOARD LANGUAGE POLICY FOR NEW CITY
Moved by D. Muir
Seconded by P. Tessier
May 8, 2000
Recommendation
That the new City of Ottawa adopts the following Language Services Policy.
WHEREAS the Ottawa Transition Board recognizes the bilingual character both of being the Nation's Capital and of its residents;
The Ottawa Transition Board recommends to the council of the new City of Ottawa that:
1. The continuation of the existing Regional Municipality of Ottawa-Carleton By-law No. 78, 1973, and the French Language Services Policy reaffirmed by RMOC Council on November 27, 1996 (as expressed at pages 1 and 2 of the Corporate Policy Manual Administrative Authority - Volume 2 of the Region of Ottawa-Carleton); and,
2. the RMOC French Language Ser="square">Clinton Archibald: Ottawa, ville bilingue?
Canada is our country, Ottawa is our capital ! Will it remain a real national capital for all Canadians ?
According to our Constitution, English and French are the official languages of Canada and have equality of status and equal rights and privileges as to their use in all institutions of the Parliament and government of Canada.
English and French are the official languages of the City of Ottawa. The current municipal legislation provides that they possess and enjoy equality of status and equal rights and privileges as to their use in Council, in all Committees of Council and in the municipal administration.
Ottawa, our national capital, is expanding by virtue of a law adopted by the Ontario Legislature which amalgamates eleven urban and rural municipalities. 125 000 French-speaking citizens and 600 000 English-speaking citizens will be served by the newly restructured City of Ottawa, as well as millions of visitors from all over Canada and the world. Don't you think that the equality of English and French which currently vices Policy documents be edited to reflect that this policy is a language services policy for the official languages of the new City - English and French.
Furthermore, the Ottawa Transition Board wishes to highlight and recommend the following statements:
3. Hiring
The most suitable and best qualified candidates will be selected to fill all positions in the new City of Ottawa and its local boards.4. Language Requirements of Certain Positions
The Ottawa Transition Board recognises the necessity of formally designating certain positions as bilingual in order to ensure the accessibility, quality and on-going provision of services in both official languages.The persons of the senior management team in the new city of Ottawa, as described in the organisation chart adopted by the Board on April 10, 2000, preferably will either be bilingual or become bilingual.
In the application of this policy, any person may apply for a position on the senior management team in the new City of Ottawa. Language instruction will be made available if required.
Other positions in the new City of Ottawa and its local boards that interface with the public may be designated bilingual.
5. Current Employees
The rights and privileges of employees currently employed in the serv="square">Clinton Archibald: Ottawa, ville bilingue?You can make a difference
Canada is our country, Ottawa is our capital ! Will it remain a real national capital for all Canadians ?
According to our Constitution, English and French are the official languages of Canada and have equality of status and equal rights and privileges as to their use in all institutions of the Parliament and government of Canada.
English and French are the official languages of the City of Ottawa. The current municipal legislation provides that they possess and enjoy equality of status and equal rights and privileges as to their use in Council, in all Committees of Council and in the municipal administration.
Ottawa, our national capital, is expanding by virtue of a law adopted by
the Ontario Legislature which amalgamates eleven urban and rural
municipalities. 125 000 French-speaking citizens and 600 000
English-speaking citizens will be served by the newly restructured City of
Ottawa, as well as millions of visitors from all over Canada and the world.
Don't you think that the equality of English and French which currently
ice of
an 'old' municipality or in the service of any of its local boards shall not be
impaired or affected as a result of the adoption of this policy.
6. Effective Date
This policy shall come into force and take effect immediately upon the passing thereof.
A country whose Constitution embraces two official languages ought to have an officially bilingual capital. Unwarranted fear should not be allowed to prevent this. When the Harris government refused, last year, to legislate on official bilingualism for Ottawa, many community leaders demanded that the new municipality be given this recognition. Since then, some have compromised their position. For now, the two leading contenders for the mayoralty say the policy on bilingualism of the present city of Ottawa would be sufficient. Of the 64 candidates for the city election, 39 responded to the survey by the French Canadian Association of Ottawa Carleton (ACFO) and only 18 supported bilingualism, and only three, official status. Even ACFO felt constrained to say it is abandoning its support for official status during the municipal election campaign. Rather t="square">Clinton Archibald: Ottawa, ville bilingue?
Canada is our country, Ottawa is our capital ! Will it remain a real national capital for all Canadians ?
According to our Constitution, English and French are the official languages of Canada and have equality of status and equal rights and privileges as to their use in all institutions of the Parliament and government of Canada.
English and French are the official languages of the City of Ottawa. The current municipal legislation provides that they possess and enjoy equality of status and equal rights and privileges as to their use in Council, in all Committees of Council and in the municipal administration.
Ottawa, our national capital, is expanding by virtue of a law adopted by the Ontario Legislature which amalgamates eleven urban and rural municipalities. 125 000 French-speaking citizens and 600 000 English-speaking citizens will be served by the newly restructured City of Ottawa, as well as millions of visitors from all over Canada and the world. Don't you think that the equality of English and French which currently han arousing their resentment, the new city of Ottawa will want to make fervent partners of its 125,000 Francophones by generously recognizing their minority rights, thus creating an imposing symbol of Canada's reputation for tolerance and diversity.
Constant reference is made to the Official Languages policy of the federal government which is claimed to have excluded some Anglophones from the public service and it is feared this may happen in the new city of Ottawa. Some may believe this but it is also true that the federal government's policy offers language training to those who want it. First and foremost, WE NEED TO BE CLEAR about what we mean and do not mean by the new Ottawa being accorded a status as an 'officially' bilingual city. We do not at all mean that citizens have to become bilingual. We have educational policies that help in that direction for those who choose it. Nor do we mean that everyone who works for the new city will have to be or become bilingual. Far from it. It is easy to see why some people are confused by the term "official bilingualism" because it sounds as though the whole city government might have to be bilingual. This is not the case. 'Official' means there will be a provincial law guaranteeing that the new city will henceforth give equal recognition to its two official languages to serve its citizens and its employee="square">Clinton Archibald: Ottawa, ville bilingue?
Canada is our country, Ottawa is our capital ! Will it remain a real national capital for all Canadians ?
According to our Constitution, English and French are the official languages of Canada and have equality of status and equal rights and privileges as to their use in all institutions of the Parliament and government of Canada.
English and French are the official languages of the City of Ottawa. The current municipal legislation provides that they possess and enjoy equality of status and equal rights and privileges as to their use in Council, in all Committees of Council and in the municipal administration.
Ottawa, our national capital, is expanding by virtue of a law adopted by the Ontario Legislature which amalgamates eleven urban and rural municipalities. 125 000 French-speaking citizens and 600 000 English-speaking citizens will be served by the newly restructured City of Ottawa, as well as millions of visitors from all over Canada and the world. Don't you think that the equality of English and French which currently s - most of whom will not be bilingual.
"Official bilingualism" puts the burden on the institution to serve the people - as it should in a democracy. Maybe we should even call it a "policy of two official languages". At present, we approach the issue backwards. We are haggle over means and neglect ends. Leaders should specify the objectives and then take the time necessary to have a team of experts work out the details for the councilors to approve. There are two essential goals: to make access to the municipal government and its services equally available to French and English speaking citizens; to allow both Anglophones and Francophones to work in the new city government with relative facility. In an officially bilingual country, these two eminently reasonable goals should be endorsed by all those seeking public office in the new capital. We would expect the new city council to adopt these objectives and to enshrine them in a municipal by-law and then invite the provincial government to make it "official" by including it in a provincial law at an appropriate moment. The date of application of the municipal by-law would be the coming into force of regulations for the effective implementation of the goals.
To develop these detailed regulations, the new council would obtain expert reports on the operation of bilingual policies in the present Cit="square">Clinton Archibald: Ottawa, ville bilingue?
Canada is our country, Ottawa is our capital ! Will it remain a real national capital for all Canadians ?
According to our Constitution, English and French are the official languages of Canada and have equality of status and equal rights and privileges as to their use in all institutions of the Parliament and government of Canada.
English and French are the official languages of the City of Ottawa. The current municipal legislation provides that they possess and enjoy equality of status and equal rights and privileges as to their use in Council, in all Committees of Council and in the municipal administration.
Ottawa, our national capital, is expanding by virtue of a law adopted by the Ontario Legislature which amalgamates eleven urban and rural municipalities. 125 000 French-speaking citizens and 600 000 English-speaking citizens will be served by the newly restructured City of Ottawa, as well as millions of visitors from all over Canada and the world. Don't you think that the equality of English and French which currently y of Ottawa, the regional government and the federal government. It would also up-date these policies, as ACFO has recently suggested, by considering new technological and political developments (for example the Internet and contracting out of services) that would require their modification. The Council would then set in motion the drafting of flexible regulations to achieve the twin goals by an expert commission. Without at all foreclosing this process of policy formation, we would imagine that such regulations would include: interpretation of public meetings; translation of public documents and Websites; and bilingual services wherever required. Senior officials should be bilingual, or their immediate subalterns who can speak in their name should be, so as to respond to the public and to allow their staff to work in their own language. There would be both unilingual and bilingual work stations to permit people to work in their own language and to gain on-the-job practice in the other language and its terminology. Wherever feasible, "bilingual" should be defined in its passive form, that is the capacity to understand someone expressing him/herself in the other language so as to facilitate the holding of bilingual meetings and conversations. Given the democratic right of all citizens to be candidates we would expect that not all candidates for public office ="square">Clinton Archibald: Ottawa, ville bilingue?
Canada is our country, Ottawa is our capital ! Will it remain a real national capital for all Canadians ?
According to our Constitution, English and French are the official languages of Canada and have equality of status and equal rights and privileges as to their use in all institutions of the Parliament and government of Canada.
English and French are the official languages of the City of Ottawa. The current municipal legislation provides that they possess and enjoy equality of status and equal rights and privileges as to their use in Council, in all Committees of Council and in the municipal administration.
Ottawa, our national capital, is expanding by virtue of a law adopted by the Ontario Legislature which amalgamates eleven urban and rural municipalities. 125 000 French-speaking citizens and 600 000 English-speaking citizens will be served by the newly restructured City of Ottawa, as well as millions of visitors from all over Canada and the world. Don't you think that the equality of English and French which currently would be bilingual but rather that they would be encouraged to become so. We also expect the new city's objectives as an officially bilingual municipality would be promoted and protected by an ombudsperson. Much of bilingualism is in the approach and we would hope that the policy would be reasonable rather than dogmatic; encouraging rather than punitive; evolving rather than set-in-stone; and cost effective rather than lavish. The goals we set ourselves will create a positive, democratic environment that will prevent back-sliding on bilingual rights in the public service. There may also be concrete benefits. Bilingualism inspires multiculturalism and both will help us attract national and international business investment and employment in an increasingly globalized economy.
There may even be additional support and funding from federal programs and institutions. The issue of Ottawa's official bilingual status will not be finalized immediately. We will be working it out for years until it is achieved. But all those elected to the Council of the new city of Ottawa and the regional representatives in the federal Parliament should publicly declare their support for a bilingual national capital - as supporters of democratic representativeness, minority rights and effective public policy. It is clear the issue of official bilingual status only effects the c="square">Clinton Archibald: Ottawa, ville bilingue?
Canada is our country, Ottawa is our capital ! Will it remain a real national capital for all Canadians ?
According to our Constitution, English and French are the official languages of Canada and have equality of status and equal rights and privileges as to their use in all institutions of the Parliament and government of Canada.
English and French are the official languages of the City of Ottawa. The current municipal legislation provides that they possess and enjoy equality of status and equal rights and privileges as to their use in Council, in all Committees of Council and in the municipal administration.
Ottawa, our national capital, is expanding by virtue of a law adopted by
the Ontario Legislature which amalgamates eleven urban and rural
municipalities. 125 000 French-speaking citizens and 600 000
English-speaking citizens will be served by the newly restructured City of
Ottawa, as well as millions of visitors from all over Canada and the world.
Don't you think that the equality of English and French which currently
ity of Ottawa as the national capital. Still, it can be hoped a generous attitude and policy by the majority in Ottawa will set an example for a more enlightened and open policy in the Outaouais. An officially bilingual national will be an important symbol of Canadian unity. All those of us who declared that "their Canada includes Quebec" should support it. Ottawa's future is intimately linked to Canada's future and both ought to have a future together.
John E. Trent, Theodore Geraets, Philippe Paquette
November 2000
OTTAWA AS AN OFFICIALLY BILINGUAL CAPITAL
December 10, 2000
Now that we have elected a Mayor and City Councillors for the new Ottawa which will be born on January 1, 2001, let us look ahead at what to expect, and what to press for, on the important issue of how people of the two language groups will be served.
We have many reasons to be optimistic that common sense and justice will prevail, but we should not rest on our laurels.
Both candidates Chiarelli and Cain decided not to use the term "officially bilingual", because it is a term which meant too many different things to different people. Their co="square">Clinton Archibald: Ottawa, ville bilingue?
Canada is our country, Ottawa is our capital ! Will it remain a real national capital for all Canadians ?
According to our Constitution, English and French are the official languages of Canada and have equality of status and equal rights and privileges as to their use in all institutions of the Parliament and government of Canada.
English and French are the official languages of the City of Ottawa. The current municipal legislation provides that they possess and enjoy equality of status and equal rights and privileges as to their use in Council, in all Committees of Council and in the municipal administration.
Ottawa, our national capital, is expanding by virtue of a law adopted by the Ontario Legislature which amalgamates eleven urban and rural municipalities. 125 000 French-speaking citizens and 600 000 English-speaking citizens will be served by the newly restructured City of Ottawa, as well as millions of visitors from all over Canada and the world. Don't you think that the equality of English and French which currently mmon position before the election was that, if elected, they would ask the new city council to pass a resolution which would adopt the linguistic policy of the present City of Ottawa.
Dialogue Canada considers that this was a wise decision, because debating an unclear term would not have been useful, and because the policy of the present Ottawa is clear, fair and has passed the test of time. This policy, adopted in 1982, starts out by stating that: "The City of Ottawa recognizes both official languages as having the same rights, status and privileges." (The policy is similar to what the Official Languages Act says about English and French in all Canadian Government institutions.) The present City's policy goes on to spell out what this noble statement means in terms of language of service to the public, language of work, a complaints system and so on.
To give a quick idea of why Dialogue Canada thinks the policy is fair, here are a few of the requirements listed under "language of work": " ... the City of Ottawa must:
Canada is our country, Ottawa is our capital ! Will it remain a real national capital for all Canadians ?
According to our Constitution, English and French are the official languages of Canada and have equality of status and equal rights and privileges as to their use in all institutions of the Parliament and government of Canada.
English and French are the official languages of the City of Ottawa. The current municipal legislation provides that they possess and enjoy equality of status and equal rights and privileges as to their use in Council, in all Committees of Council and in the municipal administration.
Ottawa, our national capital, is expanding by virtue of a law adopted by the Ontario Legislature which amalgamates eleven urban and rural municipalities. 125 000 French-speaking citizens and 600 000 English-speaking citizens will be served by the newly restructured City of Ottawa, as well as millions of visitors from all over Canada and the world. Don't you think that the equality of English and French which currently ced requirements under the other sections of the policy, including those which deal with service to the public.
As future residents of the new city of Ottawa, we must ensure that our new city council does indeed adopt the present Ottawa's language policy.
But does that mean that once this language policy is adopted, we will have more work to do? Do we still have to deal with the idea of "official bilingualism"? The answers, in Dialogue Canada's view, are: "Yes", and "Yes".
What many community leaders would like is that a reasonable language policy, such as the one described above, will be given some sort of "official status" so that at some future time, the policy could not be easily changed by an Ottawa city council of the future, under pressure from some passion of the times. This more entrenched or "official" status could be obtained by our new City Council requesting Queens Park to recognize the new Ottawa's language policy, by creating a provincial law to that effect. If such a provincial law were passed, our francophone community could rest assured that it would have an increased protection for the future.
Dialogue Canada would like to stress that what "officially bilingual" means is simply the recognition by the Ontario Government that the new City of Ottawa administration has adopted a language polic="square">Clinton Archibald: Ottawa, ville bilingue?
Canada is our country, Ottawa is our capital ! Will it remain a real national capital for all Canadians ?
According to our Constitution, English and French are the official languages of Canada and have equality of status and equal rights and privileges as to their use in all institutions of the Parliament and government of Canada.
English and French are the official languages of the City of Ottawa. The current municipal legislation provides that they possess and enjoy equality of status and equal rights and privileges as to their use in Council, in all Committees of Council and in the municipal administration.
Ottawa, our national capital, is expanding by virtue of a law adopted by the Ontario Legislature which amalgamates eleven urban and rural municipalities. 125 000 French-speaking citizens and 600 000 English-speaking citizens will be served by the newly restructured City of Ottawa, as well as millions of visitors from all over Canada and the world. Don't you think that the equality of English and French which currently y which, "... recognizes both official languages as having the same rights, status and privileges", for purposes of service to the public and employment by the City Administration.
As we understand the term, "officially bilingual" does NOT mean that either unilingual anglophones or unilingual francophones will find doors closed to employment at the new City Hall. And, above all, residents of the new Ottawa will NOT somehow be expected to have to become bilingual because of the linguistic policy adopted by the new City Council.
What "officially bilingual" WILL mean is that all of residents of the new Ottawa will be able to be served by the new City administration in the official language of their choice.
Dialogue Canada therefore urges the new City Council to adopt the present Ottawa's language policy once it starts to tackle the substance of its new mandate. And then, once this is done, the Council should sound out the Ontario Government with a view to asking it to pass a law to make this language policy "official". If the new Council can agree to make the request to Queens Park, we can all be justifiably proud.
We citizens of the new Ottawa will be able to be proud not only to have a new city administration serving all its residents in both official languages, but also to have contributed to the unity of="square">Clinton Archibald: Ottawa, ville bilingue?
Canada is our country, Ottawa is our capital ! Will it remain a real national capital for all Canadians ?
According to our Constitution, English and French are the official languages of Canada and have equality of status and equal rights and privileges as to their use in all institutions of the Parliament and government of Canada.
English and French are the official languages of the City of Ottawa. The current municipal legislation provides that they possess and enjoy equality of status and equal rights and privileges as to their use in Council, in all Committees of Council and in the municipal administration.
Ottawa, our national capital, is expanding by virtue of a law adopted by
the Ontario Legislature which amalgamates eleven urban and rural
municipalities. 125 000 French-speaking citizens and 600 000
English-speaking citizens will be served by the newly restructured City of
Ottawa, as well as millions of visitors from all over Canada and the world.
Don't you think that the equality of English and French which currently
Canada by obtaining official bilingualism
for Canada's capital city, as a potent symbol of this unity.
Jon Legg, President
Dialogue Canada
THE CITY OF OTTAWA : CANADA'S NATIONAL CAPITAL
The City of Ottawa is the national capital of Canada, a country that has two official languages, English and French, according to the Constitution Acts of 1867 and 1982. The City of Ottawa extends from Cumberland in the east to Kanata in the west and Osgoode in the south. It has 125,000 French-speaking and 600,000 English-speaking inhabitants. While nearly all the residents of Ottawa speak one of the two official languages, there are some 300,000 who speak both.
Ottawa roughly corresponds to the Ontario part of the National Capital Region (NCR). The other part of the NCR consists of an area in West Quebec, including notably the municipalities of Hull and Gatineau, which has a population of 216,000 persons, mainly French-speaking.
In December 1999, the Fewer Municipal Politicians Act, an Ontario law, restructured and considerably enlarged the City of Ottawa, but without defining its linguistic status. There is no language clause in the Act="square">Clinton Archibald: Ottawa, ville bilingue?
Canada is our country, Ottawa is our capital ! Will it remain a real national capital for all Canadians ?
According to our Constitution, English and French are the official languages of Canada and have equality of status and equal rights and privileges as to their use in all institutions of the Parliament and government of Canada.
English and French are the official languages of the City of Ottawa. The current municipal legislation provides that they possess and enjoy equality of status and equal rights and privileges as to their use in Council, in all Committees of Council and in the municipal administration.
Ottawa, our national capital, is expanding by virtue of a law adopted by the Ontario Legislature which amalgamates eleven urban and rural municipalities. 125 000 French-speaking citizens and 600 000 English-speaking citizens will be served by the newly restructured City of Ottawa, as well as millions of visitors from all over Canada and the world. Don't you think that the equality of English and French which currently specifying the status of English and French at city hall, despite a recommendation to this effect by the special government adviser who studied the terms of restructuring, as well as repeated calls for it by many citizens and representatives of French-speaking as well as English-speaking communities, and the Government of Canada.
However, the Transition Board of the City of Ottawa, which oversaw the amalgamation of the previous municipalities, adopted a policy on bilingualism on May 8, 2000 that guarantees services in English and in French to citizens throughout the territory. Finally, the new Mayor, Robert Chiarelli, and a number of the councillors elected to the new municipal council in November 2000 have made clear commitments regarding the recognition of English and French in the City. I feel confident that these commitments, consisting of adopting the policy which prevailed in Ottawa before its enlargement, will be honoured.
Dyane Adam
Commissioner of Official Languages of Canada
February 14, 2001
http://www.ocol-col.gc.ca
Clinton Archibald: Ottawa, ville bilingue?
Canada is our country, Ottawa is our capital ! Will it remain a real national capital for all Canadians ?
According to our Constitution, English and French are the official languages of Canada and have equality of status and equal rights and privileges as to their use in all institutions of the Parliament and government of Canada.
English and French are the official languages of the City of Ottawa. The current municipal legislation provides that they possess and enjoy equality of status and equal rights and privileges as to their use in Council, in all Committees of Council and in the municipal administration.
Ottawa, our national capital, is expanding by virtue of a law adopted by the Ontario Legislature which amalgamates eleven urban and rural municipalities. 125 000 French-speaking citizens and 600 000 English-speaking citizens will be served by the newly restructured City of Ottawa, as well as millions of visitors from all over Canada and the world. Don't you think that the equality of English and French which currently it">OTTAWA, VILLE BILINGUE ?
Je participais, cette semaine, à une rencontre-discussion organisée par des étudiants de la Faculté de droit de l'université d'Ottawa. Il n'y avait pas foule pour entendre les deux participants au forum qui m'accompagnaient (ou que j'accompagnais?) pour répondre à cette question qui fera encore parler, c'est certain, avant qu'on ne l'ait réglée complètement, à présumer qu'on puisse la régler, c'est-à-dire la faire aboutir totalement.
Jacques Legendre, conseiller municipal, Mauril Bélanger, député libéral de la circonscription d'Ottawa-Vanier, devant une trentaine d'étudiants sensibilisés à la question, ont argué que le statut de bilinguisme officiel était nécessaire pour la nouvelle ville et que cela allait venir, "d'une façon ou d'une autre". Leur approche individuelle, animant d'ailleurs leur optimisme, n'est toutefois pas la même. Je les respecte beaucoup et admire leur dévouement à la cause de la francophonie, puisque c'est de cela dont il s'agit, selon moi, lorsqu'on fait écho au statut de bilinguisme officiel pour Ottawa.
Je ne suis pas prêt à dire, quant à moi, que les anglophones ont intérêt à voir qu'Ottawa, capitale du pays, soit bilingue. Je dis que sans être des perdants, en matière de service, dans l'éventualité d'une consécration juridique de ="square">Clinton Archibald: Ottawa, ville bilingue?
Canada is our country, Ottawa is our capital ! Will it remain a real national capital for all Canadians ?
According to our Constitution, English and French are the official languages of Canada and have equality of status and equal rights and privileges as to their use in all institutions of the Parliament and government of Canada.
English and French are the official languages of the City of Ottawa. The current municipal legislation provides that they possess and enjoy equality of status and equal rights and privileges as to their use in Council, in all Committees of Council and in the municipal administration.
Ottawa, our national capital, is expanding by virtue of a law adopted by the Ontario Legislature which amalgamates eleven urban and rural municipalities. 125 000 French-speaking citizens and 600 000 English-speaking citizens will be served by the newly restructured City of Ottawa, as well as millions of visitors from all over Canada and the world. Don't you think that the equality of English and French which currently l'égalité des deux langues, le français et l'anglais, les anglophones n'ont pas objectivement d'avantages empiriques, pour eux, à nous voir servis dans notre langue. Ils pourraient, à la rigueur, croire qu'ils sont plus magnanimes, que la société qui est la leur est plus juste, meilleure, plus libérale, dans le sens le plus pur du terme, mais cela n'améliorera pas la qualité de leur eau potable ou de la collecte de leurs ordures ménagères.
Ce n'est pas de ça dont il s'agit, bien sûr. L'édile Legendre admet qu'on est à mettre la main à la pâte à une résolution municipale, appelée à devenir un décret de la gouvernance de la nouvelle ville. Et qu'on cherchera à obtenir un consensus acceptable à tous les membres du conseil, un consensus aussi qui animera l'administration des programmes et services, pour que l'output de l'hôtel de ville soit, dans tous les domaines, disponible aux contribuables de langue française. Cependant il admet également qu'une fois adoptée, cette résolution s'en ira faire son bonhomme de chemin à Queen's Park, la légisature provinciale, pour que le sieur Harris et sa troupe y donnent suite. Pour lui donner une "officialisation" provinciale, après "l'officialisation" municipale. Là, admet-il enfin, on nage dans l'inconnu. Le député Bélanger, après nous avoir dit qu'il avait fait circuler une pétition auprès des député="square">Clinton Archibald: Ottawa, ville bilingue?
Canada is our country, Ottawa is our capital ! Will it remain a real national capital for all Canadians ?
According to our Constitution, English and French are the official languages of Canada and have equality of status and equal rights and privileges as to their use in all institutions of the Parliament and government of Canada.
English and French are the official languages of the City of Ottawa. The current municipal legislation provides that they possess and enjoy equality of status and equal rights and privileges as to their use in Council, in all Committees of Council and in the municipal administration.
Ottawa, our national capital, is expanding by virtue of a law adopted by the Ontario Legislature which amalgamates eleven urban and rural municipalities. 125 000 French-speaking citizens and 600 000 English-speaking citizens will be served by the newly restructured City of Ottawa, as well as millions of visitors from all over Canada and the world. Don't you think that the equality of English and French which currently s de la Chambre des communes, et de tous les bords de l'auguste assemblée, a-t-il pris soin de nous préciser, tenta de nous rassurer sur l'engagement de plus d'une centaine de députés à la cause du bilinguisme officiel pour la...Capitale du Canada.
Ottawa-ville a un statut spécial dans notre Constitution parce qu'elle est le siège du gouvernement national, de dire le député d'Ottawa-Vanier qui nous confie qu'il est en faveur d'une résolution de la Chambre, ce qui ne saurait tarder, pour montrer que le gouvernement national a à coeur la question du bilinguisme officiel local, parce qu'il ne peut être que conséquent à son engagement aux langues officielles, datant tout de même de plus de 30 ans.
J'ai pour ma part précisé, comme je le fais depuis plus de 25 ans (date de mon arrivée en Ontario, en provenance du Québec profond, comme dirait l'autre) que l'expression "ville bilingue" renvoyait à trois composantes qui n'étaient pas les mêmes. Ce sont la composante juridique, l'approche politique et la réalité sociologique.
La composante juridique découle de déclarations qui ont force de loi, d'enchâssement dans la Loi constitutionnele. Puisque toutes les lois font partie de la constitution. C'est une voie qui exige du temps, car même après la consécration, il faut souvent aller devant les cours pour qu'elles imposent aux autorités de re="square">Clinton Archibald: Ottawa, ville bilingue?
Canada is our country, Ottawa is our capital ! Will it remain a real national capital for all Canadians ?
According to our Constitution, English and French are the official languages of Canada and have equality of status and equal rights and privileges as to their use in all institutions of the Parliament and government of Canada.
English and French are the official languages of the City of Ottawa. The current municipal legislation provides that they possess and enjoy equality of status and equal rights and privileges as to their use in Council, in all Committees of Council and in the municipal administration.
Ottawa, our national capital, is expanding by virtue of a law adopted by the Ontario Legislature which amalgamates eleven urban and rural municipalities. 125 000 French-speaking citizens and 600 000 English-speaking citizens will be served by the newly restructured City of Ottawa, as well as millions of visitors from all over Canada and the world. Don't you think that the equality of English and French which currently specter la loi. Comme le prouve la pléiade de causes dites scolaires qui nous ont donné, à l'usure du temps et des énergies, des victoires en gestion, entre autres, qui nous permettent d'avoir tourné la page.
L'approche politique est ma favorite. Je suis un fervant des négociations qui permettent de trouver, cas par cas, un modus vivendi pratique d'opérations qui débouchent sur la vraie vie des citoyens. Quant à la réalité sociologique, elle me permet de dire que la réponse à la question (Ottawa: ville bilingue?) va de soi. Il existe des gens qui parlent l'anglais et d'autres qui parlent le français ici. En conséquence, la vie en ville est bilingue.
J'ai fréquenté, depuis le temps de mon arrivée dans la région de la capitale, des minoritaires, non seulement en Ontario, mais aussi dans le reste de la diaspora de langue française. On m'a aidé à comprendre les difficultés de vivre dans la langue de Molière, de Chéticamp, en Nouvelle-Écosse, jusqu'à St.Albert, en Alberta. Mais j'ai y aussi observé des citoyens qui ont, en marge et à l'abri des secours publics, contre vents et marées, insisté pour parler et vivre en français.
En dépit de chiffres alarmants de certains mathématiciens, de démographes et d'autres prophètes de malheur, la vie française a survécu, ici même à Ottawa, comme ailleurs au pays. J'oserais dire que je pense même ="square">Clinton Archibald: Ottawa, ville bilingue?
Canada is our country, Ottawa is our capital ! Will it remain a real national capital for all Canadians ?
According to our Constitution, English and French are the official languages of Canada and have equality of status and equal rights and privileges as to their use in all institutions of the Parliament and government of Canada.
English and French are the official languages of the City of Ottawa. The current municipal legislation provides that they possess and enjoy equality of status and equal rights and privileges as to their use in Council, in all Committees of Council and in the municipal administration.
Ottawa, our national capital, is expanding by virtue of a law adopted by the Ontario Legislature which amalgamates eleven urban and rural municipalities. 125 000 French-speaking citizens and 600 000 English-speaking citizens will be served by the newly restructured City of Ottawa, as well as millions of visitors from all over Canada and the world. Don't you think that the equality of English and French which currently que le fait français a survécu en dépit aussi de l'aide gouvernementale. Qui n'a pas, selon moi, "autant aidé" à l'épanouissement des langues officielles depuis 1969. Autant aidé qu'on veut nous le faire croire. Qu'on fasse passer à l'acte une résolution de la Chambre (ce dont je doute, car pourquoi avoir pris tant de temps?), que Mike Harris ne donne suite aux voeux du conseil d'Ottawa (ce qui ne me paraît pas si pertinent que cela), je sais que la langue et la vie françaises d'ici existent et que, pour s'épanouir, il ne reste plus qu'à bâtir des ponts, trouver des ententes avec les majoritaires, sans renier unicité et identité. Et trouver des mécanismes pour surveiller la vitalité dedits accommodements. Le reste n'est que verbiage pour la galerie. Ce verbiage divise, il n'unit pas!
Canada is our country, Ottawa is our capital ! Will it remain a real
national capital for all Canadians ?
According to our Constitution, English and French are the official
languages of Canada and have equality of status and equal rights and
privileges as to their use in all institutions of the Parliament and
government of Canada.
English and French are the official languages of the City of Ottawa. The
current municipal legislation provides that they possess and enjoy equality
of status and equal rights and privileges as to their use in Council, in
all Committees of Council and in the municipal administration.
Ottawa, our national capital, is expanding by virtue of a law adopted by
the Ontario Legislature which amalgamates eleven urban and rural
municipalities. 125 000 French-speaking citizens and 600 000
English-speaking citizens will be served by the newly restructured City of
Ottawa, as well as millions of visitors from all over Canada and the world.
Don't you think that the equality of English and French which currently
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Clinton Archibald
Le Droit
March 10, 2001
YOU CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE: You are also invited to send your comments to Jon Legg, president of
Dialogue Canada at : jonlegg@magma.ca or to Viateur Bergeron, editor of
The Open Book of Citizens for Canada, at : vberger@uottawa.ca
WHAT IS A NATIONAL CAPITAL?