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[IceCold]

I'll never understand Quebec. Personally I don't care what boat my ancestors stepped off of, or anyone else's. I don't understand the point of fighting assimilation & melting pot cutlure. I don't see how it matters who won or lost the fight for land hundreds of years ago and how that is relevant to me today.

Of course this is all coming from a dirty Ontarian, so what do I know...

Honestly that becomes Ontario doesn't have a strong culture of its own. Toronto is pretty much an American city on Canadian land. I think a lot of people living in Europe or people in Japan or any ethnocentric country wouldn't be protective about their culture. That's actually why Europe is having so many problems integrating their immigrants.

edit: Also Canada is not a melting pot. Immigrants tend to clinge to their culture and the government makes no effort to assimilate them.

 

[Giard]

hearing them speak english makes me cringe.

worst accent ever.

That's because you haven't heard people from France speak English.

 

[Extra Sauce]

I don't understand the point of fighting assimilation

 

[Tiktaalik]

I'll never understand Quebec. Personally I don't care what boat my ancestors stepped off of, or anyone else's. I don't understand the point of fighting assimilation & melting pot cutlure. I don't see how it matters who won or lost the fight for land hundreds of years ago and how that is relevant to me today.

Of course this is all coming from a dirty Ontarian, so what do I know...

I agree the minority English in Quebec should just get over it and learn French.

 

[TheRagnCajun]

That reference is lost on me =P.

Canada is a melting pot. Each generation naturally assimilates more than the last. It doesn't mean we all end up being exactly the same though.

 

[Extra Sauce]

That reference is lost on me =P.

It means that assimilation of entire cultures is not a positive thing.

 

[gabbo]

That reference is lost on me =P.

Canada is a melting pot. Each generation naturally assimilates more than the last. It doesn't mean we all end up being exactly the same though.

The Borg is Star Trek destroy those who do not assimilate to the hive-mind. It works better as an analogy for the Red threat than of English Canada and Quebec. That said, Canada is not a melting pot even if there is more homogenization with each successive generation to a degree. Aside from knowing one of the official languages, you aren't asked or forced to convert to some notion of 'Canadian' when you arrive here.
Hell even Harper and his dimwitted ministers play to the idea that we're more mosaic than melting pot (though they do so in racially offensive ways). The melting pot starts below the 49th.

 

[Kuro Madoushi]

Ontarian here. Quebec is a fun place to visit, but politically they are kind of assholes.

Also, you have to give them credit for inventing poutine.

Here you go. From Toronto myself. Though I prefer the smoked meat to the craptine.

 

[Giard]

Here you go. From Toronto myself. Though I prefer the smoked meat to the craptine.

Crap...tine?

Heathen!
They may take away our language, but they'll never take our poutine!

 

[SovietStriker]

I live (and work) in Laval (a suburb near Montréal, for those not familiar), and it's scary to see that almost half of the people who shop where I work don't even understand a word of French. There's a reason why people are protective about it.

All the canadians in this thread saying they didnt learn french, isnt it a mandatory second language in provinces outside Quebec?

 

[Giard]

All the canadians in this thread saying they didnt learn french, isnt it a mandatory second language in provinces outside Quebec?

Nope (most of the time). Learning English is mandatory in Quebec though.

edit: wasn't aware that it depended on province/school board

 

[CrudeDiatribe]

All the canadians in this thread saying they didnt learn french, isnt it a mandatory second language in provinces outside Quebec?

Depends on the province/school board.

Started French in primary/kindergarten in public school in Halifax, studied it through grade 12 in private school. I know that by the time I was in high school, students in public school could drop it if they wanted.

 

[ComputerMKII]

Q - Vive le Québec libre ?

A - Une "province" comme le Québec est plus indépendante vis-à-vis du gouvernement fédéral canadien qu'une "nation" placée sous la tutelle de l'UE vis-à-vis de la Commission de Bruxelles.

(Maurice G. Dantec)

 

[BY2K]

hearing them speak english makes me cringe.

worst accent ever.

See, now you completely justified why I never use voice chat when I play with GAFers.

 

[torontoml]

All the canadians in this thread saying they didnt learn french, isnt it a mandatory second language in provinces outside Quebec?

I personally took a single french course every year till I graduated high school, but i didn't learn anything that will allow me to communicate in French. It was my choice for it to be that way, but it was looked at as a burn course for those of us in it.

 

[Instigator]

canada seems to be in the same situation as belgium

a country split by two communities with distinct culture and language

60% of belgium is dutch speaking
40% is french speaking

they pretty much can't get along either
and because of it nothing gets done in politics

Superficially, maybe, but Belgium is the only Western country I know where they can't form a government 6 months after elections are well over. The Walons (French speakers) "love" Belgium, it's those in Flanders who want to get rid of it and the Frenchies. Considering this is the country at the center of the EU, it's like a bad joke.

Things are not that bad in Canada.

 

[PastorOfMuppets]

I personally took a single french course every year till I graduated high school, but i didn't learn anything that will allow me to communicate in French. It was my choice for it to be that way, but it was looked at as a burn course for those of us in it.

Yeah, I'm originally from Toronto myself.

Most French classes in school are worthless. I was still conjugating ER, IR and irregular verbs in Grade 12 French class. I didn't learn a thing. The only way you're going to learn French in English Canada is to go to a school that is specifically known for it like the Toronto French School or enroll in a good French Immersion program.

It's much easier for French speakers to learn English because they are already immersed in the language through American TV and movies. Aside from SRC and TVA, you get no French exposure in Toronto unless you specifically seek it out.

 

[WrenchNinja]

Montreal is a pretty awesome place. Don't really have an opinion one way or the other for the rest of Quebec.

 

[fastford58]

Red-headed stepchild.

 

[Liquidus]

Fuck Quebec tbh. Living in Ontario I can't get any government jobs because though I am bilingual I don't speak Quebec French.

 

[Llyranor]

It's much easier for French speakers to learn English because they are already immersed in the language through American TV and movies. Aside from SRC and TVA, you get no French exposure in Toronto unless you specifically seek it out.

That's how I learnt it - because it certainly wasn't due to the pointless English classes I had in grade/high school. Gosh, those were useless.

I think both sides would be more understanding of each other (and just more enriched) if there were better programs to learn the other's language. There is no downside to learning an extra language, and you can still preserve your culture.

But maybe I'm just a trilingual 2nd gen 'ethnic vote' immigrant who doesn't get it. Actually, maybe I don't. I don't know if I feel more Quebecois or more Canadian - maybe it depends on the day. Why can't I be both, anyway?

 

[OverHeat]

Some of the comments here make me sick....Im from Quebec ( my first language is french) Im in the canadian forces and serve my country. Dont put everyone on the same boat.

 

[erpg]

Fuck Quebec tbh. Living in Ontario I can't get any government jobs because though I am bilingual I don't speak Quebec French.

Liquidus
Aggressively Stupid

You could try getting a job in a country that speaks that other language.

 

[Extra Sauce]

Some of the comments here make me sick....Im from Quebec ( my first language is french) Im in the canadian forces and serve my country. Dont put everyone on the same boat.

If there's one thing I've learned as a francophone Québécois, it's that racism is never okay unless it's against french people.

 

[OverHeat]

If there's one thing I've learned as a francophone Québécois, it's that racism is never okay unless it's against french people.

J approuve a 100%

 

[windz]

Living in central Canada and there is some ignorance towards quebec by some people, but I personally love quebec. There is definitely animosity/dislike for Quebec though in most of Canada as far as I know.

As for learning French, at least back when I was in school, it was mandatory up to Grade 8 and you had the option to take it in High Schools. That's how my school did it anyhow. There are a few french only schools/french immersion type courses where you take both english/french throughout school. I wish I spoke fluid French I only understand bits and pieces and basic stuff.

Also, POUTINE FTW

 

[Criminal Upper]

I dislike living in Quebec, personally.

Stupid students.

 

[AlexMeloche]

All the canadians in this thread saying they didnt learn french, isnt it a mandatory second language in provinces outside Quebec?

The people I'm talking about are mostly from other countries.

 

[IceCold]

I dislike living in Quebec, personally.

Stupid students.

They have a reason to protest though. The Quebec government is corrupt as fuck.

 

[Fugu]

I'm from Ontario. I love Quebec, and I think that they should separate. They're never going to get proper representation here.

 

[Liquidus]

Liquidus
Aggressively Stupid

You could try getting a job in a country that speaks that other language.

I shouldn't have to. I can have far better experience and qualifications but they still hired some bozo because he spoke Quebec French. That's discrimination.

 

[cousins]

I shouldn't have to. I can have far better experience and qualifications but they still hired some bozo because he spoke Quebec French. That's discrimination.

You don't meet all of the qualifications, so you're hardly a better candidate; to make things worse, your grasp of english grammar seems terrible.

 

[TemplaerDude]

Fuck Quebec tbh. Living in Ontario I can't get any government jobs because though I am bilingual I don't speak Quebec French.

It's pretty easy to fake though, just speak like you're hocking up a massive spit.

 

[Bisnic]

I don't understand how people can say quebecois are very rude. Personally, i like hearing people speak something else than french when walking around Quebec city, its a nice change sometimes.

And i work with someone coming from Peru, this guy learned french in a few months only apparently, and despite his strong accent, we understand each other without too much issues and its cool to teach him some of our expressions and tell him how to say something in french.

I guess i'm really the exception, or maybe people saying how "rude" we are went to the wrong neighborhood.

 

[YoungHav]

Great memories of visiting Laval every year as a youth. Long live Quebec.

Didn't know the Queen still rules Canada till this yr.

 

[gabbo]

I shouldn't have to. I can have far better experience and qualifications but they still hired some bozo because he spoke Quebec French. That's discrimination.

You don't meet the language requirement, so no it's not. Asking for bilingual applicants means they want French and English. As they're the official languages of the country, this shouldn't be hard to understand.

 

[Hieberrr]

J'aime les Quebecois et je veux etudier Francais

Total French fail, I know zzzzz

 

[Deleted member 17706]

Don't forget that stop signs in France say STOP and stop signs in Quebec say ARRETE

So what? Why should they be any less entitled to using (and enforcing the use of) the French language than people in France?

I think Quebec is kind of fascinating. Like a country within a country. Things would certainly be a lot less interesting, and Canada a lot less culturally rich if it ever completely assimilated and embraced English as its primary language.

 

[gillty]

All the canadians in this thread saying they didnt learn french, isnt it a mandatory second language in provinces outside Quebec?

I grew up in British Columbia, and am a few years removed from Secondary School.

Personally I never had to take a single French course, I learned a bit in Elementary through a passionate teacher, but was able to avoid taking mandatory French in Grade 8 by taking a horrible waste of time called Skills Development.

I shouldn't have to. I can have far better experience and qualifications but they still hired some bozo because he spoke Quebec French. That's discrimination.

Perhaps it is because you act like a bozo on the internet?

I'm from Ontario. I love Quebec, and I think that they should separate. They're never going to get proper representation here.

Would far rather we kept Quebec. I personally find most people from Ontario to have a repulsive attitude.

So what? Why should they be any less entitled to using (and enforcing the use of) the French language than people in France?

I think Quebec is kind of fascinating. Like a country within a country. Things would certainly be a lot less interesting, and Canada a lot less culturally rich if it ever completely assimilated and embraced English as its primary language.

I tend to disagree that modern Canada would be far less culturally rich if French were to go away; but, thats my perspective born of a mother 5th generation Canadian, and a father from India. Although don't mistake that a discount of the tremendous impact of French society in the development of Canada.

 

[Bisnic]

J'aime les Quebecois et je veux etudier Francais

Total French fail, I know zzzzz

You only forgot to put "le" before français, so it's far from total french fail.

Yes, the same "le" everyone loves to hate in those damn rage meme faces.

 

[Oppo]

I'm with the other Toronto people; I don't really have any problem with Quebec and I like visiting that province. had lots of great times in Montreal. I do roll my eyes a bit at their politics and some of the issues I wish they would relax a bit on. And I was surprised to find my Ontario-school-taught French seems to be more effective in Paris than in Quebec (so many contractions!).

in a sense, even though they are like the crazy sister that drives you nuts, you know the country is probably better for having to work together with the French-speaking population (which is not limited to Quebec).

I do sort of blame them for the fact that I pay taxes towards Catholic schools, though. merde.

edit – lol at Valru, who calls someone a bozo and turns around and paints a whole province as "repulsive" with one brush. way to fucking represent.

edit2 – holy shit at the BC hate towards Quebec, I wasn't aware

 

[Deleted member 17706]

I tend to disagree that modern Canada would be far less culturally rich if French were to go away; but, thats my perspective born of a mother 5th generation Canadian, and a father from India. Although don't mistake that a discount of the tremendous impact of French society in the development of Canada.

I don't see how you can disagree, but alright. I mean, without Quebec, your country would cease to be an officially bilingual nation. More and more you would become just "another United States", in my opinion.

 

[SpectreFire]

Vancouver here. They can go fuck themselves.

Then I again. I don't care much for the east coast in general.

 

[sikkinixx]

My gf is from Ontario, but the French part of it outside Ottawa and most people around there seem a bit pissy (yet at the same time love) Quebec.

it's a lovely province, I like visiting but I try to ignore their politics since they just make me angry. I think that's common feeling here in Vancouver.

Canada is a country held together by band-aids of hockey and politeness.

 

[Liquidus]

It's pretty easy to fake though, just speak like you're hocking up a massive spit.

That and mention fromage and I'm golden lol. Really wish they seperated.

Perhaps it is because you act like a bozo on the internet?

I forgot that the 60 year old Frenchman in charge of hiring and can barely speak English reads Gaf and stalks my posts from today back in 2005. Magic.

 

[BocoDragon]

By the way Quebec.. Don't worry, a "How does the rest of Canada feel about Alberta" or "Ontario" would bring out the haters too.

 

[erpg]

By the way Quebec.. Don't worry, a "How does the rest of Canada feel about Alberta" or "Ontario" would bring out the haters too.

Yeah, what a patriotic nation of 30 million angry pissants.

 

[Fugu]

Would far rather we kept Quebec. I personally find most people from Ontario to have a repulsive attitude.

Was this necessary?

 

[erpg]

Was this necessary?

You must've missed the rest of the thread.

 

[Fugu]

I've been reading it. It's just silly.