Reaching out to New Residents in the Outaouais

A Proposal for Language Practices in the new City of Gatineau
by Graham Greig, Rick Henderson, John Trent

Language is a highly precious cultural source of community and communication. No wonder each community seeks to protect its linguistic integrity. As representatives of the English-speaking community in the Outaouais, we would be expected to demand that Gatineau, the new metropolitan community to be formed in west Quebec next year, become bilingual like the new city of Ottawa. However, our region is not legally a part of the capital of Canada, which is one of the main reasons for wanting Ottawa to be officially bilingual.

Also, in a world where English has accelerated enormously as a global language and it is now said to be a language of work for roughly two-thirds of the world’s people, we must be respectful of the Francophone’s desire to maintain a French-speaking community in the national capital region where assimilation to English is always a danger. This is one of the reasons the French-speaking Quebecers are likely to insist on an application of the Charter of the French language which only permits bilingualism in municipalities with more than a 50 per cent English-speaking population.

So, at a minimum, we should adopt Aylmer’s practical approach to language services throughout the whole new urban territory. After a century of trial and accommodation, Aylmer has developed a set of practices based on the principle of courtesy – practices that are internal guidelines, not an official policy and not a legal obligation. In essence, Aylmer offers its 12,000 English-speaking residents services and information in English and English is often heard in municipal debates.

However, such a practice which requires a fairly high level of bilingual competence on the part of the municipal personnel. Also it might not either be required or practical across the territory of the new city where there are great divergences in the concentrations of English-speaking population. While both the new Ottawa and the new Gatineau have about 10 to 15 per cent linguistic minorities (depending on how you define and count them), there is great territorial variation in linguistic concentration on both sides. On the Quebec side, while some 36 per cent of the Aylmer population is English-speaking, the English only number 320 out of the 8,000 citizens in Masson-Angers. Thus, a policy of XXXX significant demand would seem to be indicated.

Given that official bilingualism is not likely to be accepted by the Quebec government and should Aylmer’s standards not be practicable right across the new municipal territory, what sort of language policy would be possible in the new Gatineau? As a starting point we think much can be learned from Aylmer. The aim should be to treat the English-speaking minority of tax-paying citizens at least with courtesy if not with equity. To respond to English-speaking residents, the new City Council should develop practices based on internal directives which guide behaviour without being legally binding. The practices should be based on responding courteously to common sense and human needs where XXXX there is a demonstrable demand. These practices, developed over time by the City of Aylmer in response to local needs, have a proven track record, resulting in a good relationship with both French and English-speaking communities.

In practice this might mean that all public documentation would be available in both languages across the territory. Once documents have been translated, say for the high English population of Aylmer, there is little cost or difficulty in making them available elsewhere. Employees who are bilingual should be encouraged to offer their services, including telephone messaging, in both languages. Having a capacity to operate in English as well as French should be considered an asset for new employees. English services should be available at municipal offices where there are large numbers of English-speaking residents. Given the new city’s location in the capital region, it would be wise to offer language training in both languages to certain categories of employees, for instance those in economic development. Finally, it should be possible to use English in the Council’s question and answer sessions with residents. When there is a special need in public meetings, in matters dealing with English-speaking populations, translation services should be available if Council members believe these services would be helpful. As difficulties will inevitably crop up, the Council should create an ad hoc Committee on Linguistic Services which would include outside experts. There would need to be a moderate budget for translation.

There are many reasons why the members of the new city Council should adopt such language practices. Most important it would allow them to respond to their critics from the Ottawa side by showing they are doing everything within their power to serve both their French and English-speaking citizens. It would make them ‘honorary partners’ in the national capital region with demonstrated willingness and in-place practices. It would facilitate relationships with Ottawa.

Economically, to survive and thrive in the national capital region, Gatineau will have to be able to compete for new businesses (more and more at the high-tech end) as well as embassies, government offices and their accompanying employees. Being able to offer effective English communications and services is an integral part of this world-wide competition. The potential benefits are great while the costs are relatively low. With the spill-over of these practices in the community, it is possible the Outaouais would retain more of its shoppers.

By not withdrawing any level of services presently being offered to the English-speaking minority, the proposed practices would fit in with the constitutional precept of the Commissioner of Official Languages that nothing should be done that will diminish current minority rights. It would also help with the democratic participation of all citizens.

Any governmental unit such as the City Council of the new municipality has to find creative ways of balancing conflicting political pressures. The proposals outlined above would give flexibility to municipal employees while allowing the Council to attract economic development and adequately serve both its linguistic communities as befits its location in the federal capital region, while respecting the aims and constraints of the Charter of the French Language, the Charter of Rights and Freedoms and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.