Montreal proposes its own office for the French language

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A new action plan to promote the French language won’t affect services for those who speak English, says a committee mandated by the mayor.

On Wednesday, the city published a report by the committee, which made eight recommendations to improve the standing of the French language within the metropolis.

“I was very glad to receive all these recommendations,” Montreal Mayor Valérie Plante said Wednesday morning. “This is one of the many actions that our administration has taken in the last few years to make sure the French language stays strong.”

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The recommendations include:

1. Develop a three-year action plan with the ministry of the French language.
2. Create a new bureau for the French language and the Francophonie, which would be under the purview of the city’s commissioner of the French language.
3. Lead by example in the use of the French language both as a municipal administration and in interactions with the public and partners.
4. Prioritize cultural activities in French and put forward the primacy of French during events with international appeal.
5. Attract new arrivals toward Quebec culture and the French language.
6. Reinforce the representation of the city of Montreal in events having to do with the Francophonie.
7. Promote French organizations within civil society.
8. Position Montreal as the point of entry for business affairs in French.

Speaking to reporters, Louise Harel, the president of the committee, said the promotion of French within the city should not affect the services already guaranteed to English speakers.

“The law for the French language does not affect elected officials,” said Harel, a one-time Parti Québécois minister and a city councillor in the Hochelaga-Maisonneuve district from 2009 to 2013. “They can choose the language they wish to use to speak to citizens.”

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Plante, who has been outspoken about the use of French in city council meetings, said there is no problem answering citizens’ questions in English, but perhaps councillors should also provide a French summary as a courtesy to those listening in to the meetings, most of whom speak French.

“I’m not going to talk about the different boroughs because some have bilingual status, but I feel that at City Hall, especially when there are questions from citizens, French should be predominant, or at least if you answer in English, try to provide a summary in French so everyone (understands).”

Plante said the goal of the action plan is to ensure there is more effort made to ensure that French is the common language that is heard most often in the city.

Harel went further, adding that during the many cultural events that are held in the city, there should still be attention given to ensuring that the French language has its place as well.

“I think there needs to be French in the soundscape of such events,” Harel said. “In the example of an Argentine festival, you could, for example, greet people with a welcome that is both in Spanish and French.”

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Plante said the city’s cultural and sports centres can also ensure a better use of French by, for example, playing music during hockey games at the city’s arenas.

“I think maybe it’s just a reflex, like the (DJ) put his list of songs on, with a few titles in French, but also his favourites that are in English or another language, so I like the recommendation that in the city’s installations we can ensure there is a soundscape that is French. I am already working on my own playlist.”

However, she made it clear that the promotion of French will not come at the expense of the rights of those to receive services in their own language.

“The circumstances and the way people can receive services in their language is not under threat. We’re proud to have different festivals, and it’s not about asking the Argentinian festival to just be in French. It’s about how we make sure we welcome everyone all together, and that French is present.”

With the report submitted, the city’s executive committee will analyze the recommendations in order to come up with an action plan in the coming weeks.

jmagder@postmedia.com

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