Ottawa, September 26, 2007
Two Languages Are Better Than One
Speech for the Official Opening of the Student Federation of the University of Ottawa (SFUO) Bilingualism Centre
Graham Fraser – Commissioner of Official Languages
Check against delivery
Minister Meilleur, distinguished guests, bonjour,
It’s a real pleasure to be here with you today! The opening of a bilingualism centre is good news for everyone, especially from the perspective of a commissioner responsible for promoting and protecting Canada’s official languages. I am especially happy to see that this project was developed by students, for students.
I therefore have to congratulate you. You have many reasons to be proud. You have demonstrated leadership and originality. The Bilingualism Centre will not only be very helpful to students at the University, but will also serve as an example for the entire country. I’m always looking for examples of leadership in official languages, and you have given me an excellent one right here! An example of vision, respect for diversity and official languages vitality. Your project is a testament to the long road travelled by official languages and lays the groundwork for a promising future for bilingualism.
For my generation, official bilingualism was a struggle, a dream. A few decades ago, the availability of government services in the public’s language of choice depended on chance or good will; in addition, in various communities across the country, French was threatened. Defenders of official languages, especially members of the Francophone and Acadian communities, fought for their rights. As a result, their dream of studying and living in the language of their choice has, little by little, become a reality. The first Official Languages Act, passed in 1969, and the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, which came into effect in 1982, are the foundation on which we are building the future. This year, we celebrated the 25th anniversary of the Charter. The Charter has led to a national dialogue between the courts, governments, official language communities and citizens. This dialogue has helped language rights to evolve towards an increasingly generous interpretation.
Remember what the Supreme Court of Canada said about language in 1990. “Language is more than a mere means of communication, it is part and parcel of the identity and culture of the people speaking it. It is the means by which individuals understand themselves and the world around them.”1 Identities are complex these days, but language will always be a central element of individual and collective identity. And the University of Ottawa gives you an opportunity to explore the many identity facets of Canada’s two languages in depth.
There are some who think that bilingualism is a slippery slope that leads to unilingualism. I was saddened to hear Yvon Deschamps say recently on the program Tout le monde en parle that he thought French would no longer be spoken in Canada fifty years from now. Not long ago, Jacques Godbout made the same point in an essay for L’actualité.
Despite the great respect that I have for both men and the contributions that they have made to our culture, I disagree completely. If I thought that bilingualism was damaging to the future of French in Canada, I wouldn’t be here today. On the contrary, I believe that bilingualism is based on the principle of respect for both official languages.
In fact, for many of you students, bilingualism is an everyday reality. It is part of your identity. There are more and more “children of the Charter” who live the experience of official bilingualism nearly every day.
It is admirable that young Anglophones and Francophones are sharing an institution like the University of Ottawa. Many of you enjoy experiencing the advantages of sharing your language and culture. Others are discovering the cultural universe that comes with your second language. And young immigrants are immersed in a welcoming and respectful environment.
As we all know, learning a new language can sometimes be intimidating. But here, and the creation of the Bilingualism Centre confirms this, we get the impression that hesitance is soon replaced by the joy of discovery.
Many people have not yet mastered their second language. Personally, I understand that learning a second or third language is a life-long experience. I started learning French at a later age than most people, but I was determined, and I think I can say today that I succeeded. But, since speaking is a physical act by nature, you always have to practise.
Immersion and Core French programs are just two of the ways to become bilingual. However, the University of Ottawa community is very diverse. You have students from abroad, from Quebec, from Francophone communities, from English-language schools and from immersion programs.
The University is stepping up its efforts to give students the opportunity to take classes in the language of their choice, but also to enable them to perfect their second language skills. In any case, the unique status of French will always require an additional effort on the part of decision makers to ensure its vitality at the University. In that respect, the recommendations issued by the University’s task force on French-language services and programs, as well as the recent announcement of a Standing Committee on Francophone Affairs, are excellent news and will ensure a healthy French presence within the University.
In addition to the Bilingualism Centre, the Official Languages and Bilingualism Institute will play a key role in promoting the vitality of official languages at the University of Ottawa and in Canada as a whole. The OLBI will participate actively in research on language teaching and acquisition, as well as language planning. The Institute is a leader whose expertise is increasingly sought after across Canada. It is an indispensable partner for students.
As students, you are in the best position to experience a harmonious bilingual environment, but you must continue to be demanding, because it is high expectations that lead to innovative projects such as the Bilingualism Centre.
In closing, I would like to show you a short film we created this year to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, in which young people discuss what bilingualism has brought to their lives. I like this film because it shows how legal progress translates into life experiences. What’s more, Nicolas Séguin, your new Bilingualism Centre Service Coordinator, is one of the stars of the film!
You will be able to see it at Bar 1848 in a few minutes.
Thank you for your attention and I wish the Bilingualism Centre many years of success.
1 Mahe v. Alberta, [1990] 1 S.C.R. 342
