Official Languages suffer major setbacks under Conservatives

Bilingualism has experienced severe setbacks since the Conservatives came to power, according to a new report from the Commissioner of Official Languages.

“This new report confirms what we already know, protection of official languages is not a priority for the Conservative government. The report confirms continuing challenges and setbacks, whether it’s obtaining a federal service in the language of your choice, within the public service or the development of minority communities,” said Official Languages critic Yvon Godin (Acadie – Bathurst).

Since the Conservatives came to power in 2006 their actions have shown a lack of commitment to Canada’s official languages. From the closure of the only bilingual maritime search and rescue centre in the country to the appointment of a unilingual auditor general and Supreme Court judges to the reduction of funding in areas like French education, it’s clear Conservatives don’t care about the vitality of our country’s Francophone communities.

“The report also shows how Conservatives are turning their backs on the needs of Anglophone communities in Quebec. Conservatives had the opportunity to show a commitment to official languages by indexing the Roadmap. it chose to reduce funding, instead,” concluded deputy critic Jamie Nicholls (Vaudreuil—Soulanges).