The French language, a treasure on American soil, has been transmitted with love and determination, from one generation to the next. It gave birth to a rich and original culture that shines in the sky of global cultural diversity. However, today, our language is under threat, in the largest French-speaking metropolis in the Americas and in the depths of Quebec. The decline of French is not just a statistical calculation. It is visible and felt by the population.
Our large businesses, our French-language radio stations and even our French-language TV channels bombard us with English songs. In several establishments in Montreal, it is difficult to be served in French. Most English CEGEPs are attended by Francophones and allophones attracted by learning the language of Shakespeare. Intensive English at primary level already creates centers of Anglicization in our French schools. English-language universities collect three to four times more than their share of public funds. The censuses show a constant decline of French as a mother tongue, as a language of use and as a language of work.
Federal threat
As you know, without Bill 101, we Francophones would already be very advanced on the path to minoritization in Quebec. And, just to add, Canada is working hard to anglicize Quebec. Indeed, the federal government considers that English is in danger on our territory and therefore funds a range of programs aimed at improving the position of the English language in Quebec.
Laws, statistics, briefs, studies, coercive measures, debates, analyses, discussions, demonstrations, petitions, etc. are essential, of course, to add a framework to this declining French language and protect it over time. In fact, the real power is in the hands of the population and particularly of our leaders.
The French language in Quebec needs to be able to count on the influence and the will of those who love it. It’s up to us, it’s up to you to ensure that this language endures by choosing and empowering people who care about it in different forms of bodies: governments, boards of directors, committees parents, sports associations and any other public or private organization. In short, wherever decisions are made.
Canadian National
We also have the responsibility and the duty to react and demand changes in attitude and behavior when we witness a flagrant lack of representation of Francophones within governing bodies that hold their activities in Quebec. This is what the SSJB did in May 2022 when it awarded the lemon prize for non-compliance with French to the Canadian National railway company. It’s well known that CN has a less than rosy history with regard to French in Quebec, and has been for over 100 years! Our action and the multiple denunciations of the public against the company were not made in vain since a French-speaking administrator was finally appointed to the board of directors. Is this a new start for CN? President and CEO Tracy Robinson also announced last week that the rail company, headquartered in Montreal, will comply with French Law 96.
Let’s now hope that this desire to respect the official and common language of Quebec will be contagious and will inspire other businesses under federal jurisdiction in Quebec to do the same!
Photo provided by Victor Diaz Lamich
Marie-Anne Alepin, General President of the Saint-Jean-Baptiste Society