Official languages of Canada?

Question

English and French are the official languages of Canada because of the two main nations that discovered Canada some hundred years ago. But now that French is no longer the 2nd most spoken language in the country, wouldn't it make sense to just drop it for the current 2nd most?

Answer 1

Don't count on that happening. The Conservative party is now fully committed to bilingualism, and the Liberal party always was. I suppose the second most spoken language is now Chinese, but Chinese folks are mostly bunched up in a few ridings and a lot of them don't bother to vote in any case. Besides, how would the goverment choose between Mandarin and Cantonese?

Answer 2

The history of Canada is long intertwined with the French Language and as you said, France itself being one of the countries to discover/settle it, but to remove it as an official language would be to remove part of Canada's culture. Not to mention that official languages are established so that not only the citizens can understand the laws and other official paperwork, but so that the countries they have most contact with can too, thus being France and the U.S.

Answer 3

French culture is as inherent in Canadian History as the founding fathers are inherent in US History.

What would an American say if I suggested that since a large portion of the US didn't exsersize their 2nd amendment rights..it should just be abolished??

I live in Winnipeg, which has the largest French speaking populace West of Quebec, and, as an anglo, I love it...it adds dynamic and reminds me everyday of how this country was founded...on compromise and logic...(well...and the fur trade...lol.)

Answer 4

No, Quebec would never allow that most of the population of that Provence speaks French in fact its illegal to conduct business in any other language.