DanceWithWolf
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Wed, December 10, 2003
Bilingualism to become the law
By JOHN STEINBACHS, Ottawa Sun
PREMIER DALTON McGuinty says he's ready to make city council's language wish come true and write Ottawa's bilingualism policy into provincial legislation. "We're going to grant the City of Ottawa's request made to us by way of resolution to recognize the bilingual character of the City of Ottawa," McGuinty said at a Queen's Park news conference yesterday. "It remains to the city to determine how they are going to define that bilingualism."
The premier made the declaration after a meeting with Ottawa Mayor Bob Chiarelli but officials maintain the subject didn't come up behind closed doors.
"It's nothing more complicated than recognizing a formal request that's been made to us on the part of the City of Ottawa to recognize there is something a little bit different about the City of Ottawa," said McGuinty. "If you are to walk around the City of Ottawa you are much more likely to hear French spoken than you are here in Toronto."
Earlier this year, while on the campaign trail, McGuinty said he would write the city's bilingualism policy into provincial legislation.
Council approved its "practical bilingualism" policy in 2001, basically adopting the policies of the old city of Ottawa and the region.
'SOME HARMONY'
It maintains that front-line services must be available in both official languages.
The announcement is hailed as a victory by some at City Hall and a waste of time by others.
"Wonderful, good news," said Coun. Jacques Legendre. "I hope the intent of our asking for this is realized. (It is) that the city get some peace for perhaps the next decade on this issue so we can fully implement this policy. We need some harmony in our community."
"I don't really think it will affect the way the city does business," said Coun. Peter Hume. "I've never thought it made a difference one way or the other."
The issue had raised tensions during the municipal election campaign with mayoral candidate Terry Kilrea campaigning against placing the policy into provincial legislation.
"The people of this city have enough stuff to worry about right now," said Coun. Jan Harder, who voted against asking the province to enshrine the policy into law. "It has been the singular most divisive decision (the last council) made."
Harder said she didn't understand why the issue had arisen again and believes the majority of Ottawa residents don't support the move.
Bilingualism to become the law
By JOHN STEINBACHS, Ottawa Sun
PREMIER DALTON McGuinty says he's ready to make city council's language wish come true and write Ottawa's bilingualism policy into provincial legislation. "We're going to grant the City of Ottawa's request made to us by way of resolution to recognize the bilingual character of the City of Ottawa," McGuinty said at a Queen's Park news conference yesterday. "It remains to the city to determine how they are going to define that bilingualism."
The premier made the declaration after a meeting with Ottawa Mayor Bob Chiarelli but officials maintain the subject didn't come up behind closed doors.
"It's nothing more complicated than recognizing a formal request that's been made to us on the part of the City of Ottawa to recognize there is something a little bit different about the City of Ottawa," said McGuinty. "If you are to walk around the City of Ottawa you are much more likely to hear French spoken than you are here in Toronto."
Earlier this year, while on the campaign trail, McGuinty said he would write the city's bilingualism policy into provincial legislation.
Council approved its "practical bilingualism" policy in 2001, basically adopting the policies of the old city of Ottawa and the region.
'SOME HARMONY'
It maintains that front-line services must be available in both official languages.
The announcement is hailed as a victory by some at City Hall and a waste of time by others.
"Wonderful, good news," said Coun. Jacques Legendre. "I hope the intent of our asking for this is realized. (It is) that the city get some peace for perhaps the next decade on this issue so we can fully implement this policy. We need some harmony in our community."
"I don't really think it will affect the way the city does business," said Coun. Peter Hume. "I've never thought it made a difference one way or the other."
The issue had raised tensions during the municipal election campaign with mayoral candidate Terry Kilrea campaigning against placing the policy into provincial legislation.
"The people of this city have enough stuff to worry about right now," said Coun. Jan Harder, who voted against asking the province to enshrine the policy into law. "It has been the singular most divisive decision (the last council) made."
Harder said she didn't understand why the issue had arisen again and believes the majority of Ottawa residents don't support the move.
