Quotes
On Canada’s language policies…
“The primary value underpinning Canadian language policy should be respect: respect for official languages, for unilingual Canadians and for minority language communities; respect for citizens, taxpayers, parliamentarians and public servants.”
– Annual Report 2006-2007.
“An official languages policy exists for two fundamental reasons: to protect the unilingual and to protect minority language communities. It does not exist to require everyone to learn two languages—though clearly, if no one is bilingual, the policy cannot succeed.”
– Annual Report 2006-2007.
On the role of Commissioner of Official Languages…
“Promotion and protection are closely entwined. It is true that an ombudsman function exists to respond to complaint sand investigate them fully; to audit departments and agencies to monitor whether their responsibilities under the Act have been met; and to use the Commissioner’s powers of judicial intervention—but all of those activities also involve the promotion of the spirit as well as the letter of the Act”
– Annual Report 2006-2007.
On the relationship between linguistic duality and cultural diversity…
The proof—if proof were needed—of the fact that cultural diversity and linguistic duality are complementary lies in our last two governors-general […] both joined one language community; and both decided that, to truly participate in the Canadian conversation, they would not become just competent, but eloquent, in both official languages.”
– Annual Report 2006-2007.
“One of the dramatic changes that has occurred in the linguistic landscape is that both Anglophone and Francophone communities are now welcoming newcomers.”
– Annual Report 2006-2007.
On the vitality of official language communities…
“Francophones are mobilized to respond to a series of challenges that will shape not just their communities, but Canada as a whole. Indeed, with your focus on demographics, economic development, public services and people power, you are participating fully in Canadian society’s major debates.”
– Dialogue for the Comprehensive Development of Canada's Francophone and Acadian Communities, Francophone and Acadian Community Summit, June 2, 2007.
“In Quebec, the cohabitation of—and yes, the friction between—two great cultural communities has spawned a strong bilingual work force, as well as unique cultural institutions. The Centaur, Blue Metropolis and the Quebec Writers Federation are cultural assets for all Quebecers. Nor would Montreal be Montreal without Montreal bagels and Schwartz’s smoked meat.”
– Speech at the Annual General Meeting of the Quebec Community Groups Network, June 1, 2007.
“I like using ecology as a metaphor to support my reasoning about comprehensive development. The survival and vitality of a minority community depend on the balance of its ecosystem. All the elements giving the members of society true equality must be present on a sustainable basis to ensure community development.”
– Dialogue for the Comprehensive Development of Canada's Francophone and Acadian Communities, Francophone and Acadian Community Summit, June 2, 2007.
