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[matthewwhatever]

Mulcair just confirmed that he's not doing any more English debates (so he's backing out of at least two that he'd agreed to previously), and only one more French debate (though there's a lack of clarity on this, since he previously agreed to two French debates, but he didn't say which he's skipping).

In somewhat related news, when Mulcair's book launch was interrupted by protesters today, he had the RCMP toss them out -- rather than, say, letting them voice their concerns and politely disagreeing with them. For someone who previously claimed he loved debate, Mulcair sure is acting awfully Harper-ish.

 

[sikkinixx]

You answered why there are 296,000 speakers of French, as well as the public school system having French as often the only option for language credits. I agree being bilingual is a good thing, I just don't agree with French being the language to be the official language anymore. Mandarin, Japanese, German, Spanish, and Portuguese (last two less about the European country and more about the Latin and South American countries) would all be more useful.

It would be a lot more useful in this modern age to have Mandarin immersion schools sponsored by the government.

Every high school I've worked at (and I've been in a lot as a sub) offer much more than French. Nearly all offer Spanish and Mandarin, many offer Japanese, some German, some Korean, a few Italian (though not many anymore, I can only think of two). Also an increasing number of kids are enrolling in French-immersion (mainly so that mommy and daddy can tell people "my kid is in French-immersion" imho) so the number of French-speakers will probably grow a lot in the Vancouver area at least.

Vancouver-area schools should focus on kids having to speak some English. In many schools I can work a whole day without hearing one kid speak English outside of when I directly talk to them. A lot of schools are basically socially segregated in the classroom or at lunch. Asian/South-Asia kids in one area, white/second-generation Asian kids in another and never the two shall meet unless they have to. It's sad as hell.

 

[NotTheGuyYouKill]

Mulcair just confirmed that he's not doing any more English debates (so he's backing out of at least two that he'd agreed to previously), and only one more French debate (though there's a lack of clarity on this, since he previously agreed to two French debates, but he didn't say which he's skipping).

In somewhat related news, when Mulcair's book launch was interrupted by protesters today, he had the RCMP toss them out -- rather than, say, letting them voice their concerns and politely disagreeing with them. For someone who previously claimed he loved debate, Mulcair sure is acting awfully Harper-ish.

 

[Dr.Acula]

I saw a "just not ready" ad where one of the actors throws out "and ISIS just released another horrifying video..." Is this a real thing? Are Canadians really worried about ISIS?

 

[matthewwhatever]

Hmm. Good point. I'm not sure I want to see that nightmare fuel grin ever again.

I saw a "just not ready" ad where one of the actors throws out "and ISIS just released another horrifying video..." Is this a real thing? Are Canadians really worried about ISIS?

Canadians as a whole? No.
Conservative voters? Apparently.

 

[gutter_trash]

the French debates are not being conducted by the consortium (Radio-Canada). so French-Canadians who live outside of Quebec won't see the French debate.

TVA will be doing them (Quebec only). TVA belongs to Quebecor (where Brian Mulroney sits at the top of the board of directors)

 

[lupinko]

 

[killer rin]

So, who is ready for another Justin Trudeau "Just not Ready" Ad!

Video
Huffington Post Article

 

[lupinko]

So, who is ready for another Justin Trudeau "Just not Ready" Ad!

Video
Huffington Post Article

I'm surprised the Cons haven't jumped on this bear thing yet.

http://www.showbizpizza.com/rae/characters/billybob_lg.jpg

 

[gutter_trash]

Every high school I've worked at (and I've been in a lot as a sub) offer much more than French. Nearly all offer Spanish and Mandarin, many offer Japanese, some German, some Korean, a few Italian (though not many anymore, I can only think of two). Also an increasing number of kids are enrolling in French-immersion (mainly so that mommy and daddy can tell people "my kid is in French-immersion" imho) so the number of French-speakers will probably grow a lot in the Vancouver area at least.

Vancouver-area schools should focus on kids having to speak some English. In many schools I can work a whole day without hearing one kid speak English outside of when I directly talk to them. A lot of schools are basically socially segregated in the classroom or at lunch. Asian/South-Asia kids in one area, white/second-generation Asian kids in another and never the two shall meet unless they have to. It's sad as hell.

well said,
I will take Montreal's model where everyone intermingles in harmony over Vancouver's self-segregation where various groups refuse to mix

 

[eBay Huckster]

so 50+1 is okay but tossing 5000 votes in the garbage in the riding in Chomeday is okay in an advent of +1?

an explicit definition of "clear majority" can be okay without election fraud also being okay and I'm not sure why you're asking this question like the answer's not plainly obvious even to the Great Satan of Pandering

 

[maharg]

I'm surprised the Cons haven't jumped on this bear thing yet.

http://www.showbizpizza.com/rae/characters/billybob_lg.jpg

To take something silly a bit too seriously for a moment, I don't think the bear thing actually plays all that negatively for Mulcair. I mean, what are the negative traits people associate with bears that are supposed to hurt him? People *want* someone to come and eat Stephen Harper.

 

[gutter_trash]

To take something silly a bit too seriously for a moment, I don't think the bear thing actually plays all that negatively for Mulcair. I mean, what are the negative traits people associate with bears that are supposed to hurt him? People *want* someone to come and eat Stephen Harper.

 

[MMarston]

This needs to be the new OP pic.

 

[gutter_trash]

Trudeau's event in Montreal is full, i can't get in lol. If i would have gotten there 5 minutes ahead of time maybe. Oh well

 

[Lone_Prodigy]

Every high school I've worked at (and I've been in a lot as a sub) offer much more than French. Nearly all offer Spanish and Mandarin, many offer Japanese, some German, some Korean, a few Italian (though not many anymore, I can only think of two). Also an increasing number of kids are enrolling in French-immersion (mainly so that mommy and daddy can tell people "my kid is in French-immersion" imho) so the number of French-speakers will probably grow a lot in the Vancouver area at least.

Vancouver-area schools should focus on kids having to speak some English. In many schools I can work a whole day without hearing one kid speak English outside of when I directly talk to them. A lot of schools are basically socially segregated in the classroom or at lunch. Asian/South-Asia kids in one area, white/second-generation Asian kids in another and never the two shall meet unless they have to. It's sad as hell.

I think school cliques have always existed, whether it's based on socioeconomic, race, or language differences.

I wish something could be done about the minimum English requirements to university though. International students will hire tutors and basically brute-force the tests (take them repeatedly until they pass) and the government/administrators don't care because they get so much money from test fees and international tuition.

 

[Tabris]

Every high school I've worked at (and I've been in a lot as a sub) offer much more than French. Nearly all offer Spanish and Mandarin, many offer Japanese, some German, some Korean, a few Italian (though not many anymore, I can only think of two). Also an increasing number of kids are enrolling in French-immersion (mainly so that mommy and daddy can tell people "my kid is in French-immersion" imho) so the number of French-speakers will probably grow a lot in the Vancouver area at least.

First, high school is the key word. French was mandatory when I was growing up in the school between elementary and high school (secondary?).

Second, there needs to be more mandarin-immersion, japanese, german, etc schools. I don't know of a single one.

 

[Face it Tiger..]

Every high school I've worked at (and I've been in a lot as a sub) offer much more than French. Nearly all offer Spanish and Mandarin, many offer Japanese, some German, some Korean, a few Italian (though not many anymore, I can only think of two). Also an increasing number of kids are enrolling in French-immersion (mainly so that mommy and daddy can tell people "my kid is in French-immersion" imho) so the number of French-speakers will probably grow a lot in the Vancouver area at least.

Vancouver-area schools should focus on kids having to speak some English. In many schools I can work a whole day without hearing one kid speak English outside of when I directly talk to them. A lot of schools are basically socially segregated in the classroom or at lunch. Asian/South-Asia kids in one area, white/second-generation Asian kids in another and never the two shall meet unless they have to. It's sad as hell.

you are very lucky, we had french and spanish but Mandarin would have been welcome.

 

[Walpurgis]

I think school cliques have always existed, whether it's based on socioeconomic, race, or language differences.

I wish something could be done about the minimum English requirements to university though. International students will hire tutors and basically brute-force the tests (take them repeatedly until they pass) and the government/administrators don't care because they get so much money from test fees and international tuition.

The way I see it, they are following the system as it was intended. In my experience, most exams require either memorisation or practice. In any case, I have lots of international students from Asia that go to my school and their English is fine.

 

[lupinko]

This needs to be the new OP pic.

I'm partial to his animatronic bear smile pic myself.

First, high school is the key word. French was mandatory when I was growing up in the school between elementary and high school (secondary?).

Second, there needs to be more mandarin-immersion, japanese, german, etc schools. I don't know of a single one.

I could be wrong but I think schools in Richmond BC already have Mandarin. There are also schools in parts of Toronto that offer Italian as well.

As for other languages like Japanese, German, Portugeuse and etc. as you mentioned, those languages are just best served as High School and Post-Secondary electives. Unless you have schools with high populations of said ethnic in groups in the local community which is the reason for my previous examples. Or better yet, it's fine for private schools, those are always an option.

Yes, Canada is multicultural and all, but those other languages do not form Canada's founding history. Also in terms of practicality, unless you are arguing for Mandarin or Spanish (and even then they shouldn't be put over French in Canada in my opinion), the other languages you try to argue for don't really have as much practical use when compared to Francais.

I'll use Japanese for example, unless you plan on moving to Japan, or being a scholar in Japanese be it as a linguist or in Asian Studies to working directly with Japanese businesses or communities, then no it shouldn't take priority over French. And there isn't anything wrong about learning it as a hobby and for enjoyment but to say it has more practical demand over French is downright uninformed and naive, and sorta reeks of weeabooness, and this is a video game forum after all.

And by the way, I'm currently an expat working here in Japan as well.

This also applies to all the other languages you tossed out there too.

I know many Canadians in English Canada, notably in the west like to kick down French, but guess what, French is as much Canada as is English (and Aboriginal languages). This is it, plain and simple.

 

[dragonfart28]

So, who is ready for another Justin Trudeau "Just not Ready" Ad!

Video
Huffington Post Article

I was watching an interview with him today and it was cringe worthy.

This guy is such a primadonna that he can't focus on the interviewer. He has to lift his head and scan the periphery like some kind of sentry bot.

 

[You Are Viewtiful]

Those Energy East protesters are a waste of everyone's time. I also wish Mulcair would stop being a pussy and say the words in complete: "I am for Energy East".

Unfortunate about the debate thing. He didn't perform well in the last one, but it was his first one. Mistakes were going to happen. I'm surprised he's going to leave it on that note.

I don't like Trudeau's speech style either. Reminds me of this kid in high school's overdramatic speeches. Cringe. But I try my best to not vote based on charisma. We all know how reliable that is.

Harper talking about ISIS again today. I've figured him out. He's trying to turn this election into a debate about security and foreign policy. He completely wrecked the economy and he'd love it if everyone got distracted. Mulcair and Trudeau should not fall for his trap. Economy, economy, economy.

 

[gutter_trash]

https://www.facebook.com/cpcpcc?fref=photo

you guys should check the Conservative Facebook page LOL

 

[Pedrito]

https://www.facebook.com/cpcpcc?fref=photo

you guys should check the Conservative Facebook page LOL

The comments are so generic you'd think they come from the St Petersburg troll factory.
"Mr. Harper is an honest leader who loves Canada and ALL her people."
"All the way with Harper"
"Prime Minister Mr. Stephen Harper is the best Prime Minister of Canada. You have my vote sir."

And the moderator will lose his job. I spotted a negative comment.

 

[lupinko]

So, who is ready for another Justin Trudeau "Just not Ready" Ad!

Video
Huffington Post Article

So it sounds like this is what Harper and the Cons did to Trudeau.

 

[orochi91]

Conservatives might have fucked up, at least according to their base:

The Conservatives say they will bring 10,000 additional refugees from Syria and Iraq to Canada if re-elected, despite refusing to say whether thousands of others from the war-torn region have already been resettled.

More at link: http://news.nationalpost.com/news/canada/canadian-politics/tories-promise-to-bring-10000-additional-refugees-from-syria-and-iraq-to-canada-if-elected

Look at the comments, numerous hardcore conservatives are rather pissed at this.

Anti-immigration/refugee sentiments are real strong, especially when Middle-Easterners/Muslims are involved.

 

[LifeLike]

I don't know if this has been posted but goddamn it is scary.

http://i.imgur.com/8THSx2S.gifv

 

[matthewwhatever]

Yikes. Blink, Harper...blink! Pl

Those Energy East protesters are a waste of everyone's time. I also wish Mulcair would stop being a pussy and say the words in complete: "I am for Energy East".

Unfortunate about the debate thing. He didn't perform well in the last one, but it was his first one. Mistakes were going to happen. I'm surprised he's going to leave it on that note.

I don't like Trudeau's speech style either. Reminds me of this kid in high school's overdramatic speeches. Cringe. But I try my best to not vote based on charisma. We all know how reliable that is.

Harper talking about ISIS again today. I've figured him out. He's trying to turn this election into a debate about security and foreign policy. He completely wrecked the economy and he'd love it if everyone got distracted. Mulcair and Trudeau should not fall for his trap. Economy, economy, economy.

I don't think Mulcair is ever going to say the words "I am for Energy East" because he knows it would hurt him in Quebec. That's why he just talks in circles around it -- because that way he can just say it was a bad translation, like he did when his French interview came out a few weeks ago that seemed to imply he was against it.

RE: debates, not that my opinion is worth much -- since I want to see him fail -- but I feel like he'd be much better served if he just embraced his Angry Tom persona, rather than trying to be a weak imitation of Layton. Him trying to be Layton means you get faces like this in press conferences:

...plus, of course, all those horrifying forced smile-grimaces in the debate last week. I mean, it's not as if Harper's continued success is thanks to any particular charm: he wins despite his personality, not because of it. If Mulcair is going to embrace every other aspect of Harper's leadership style, he should go all the way with it and present himself as the gruff guy who gets stuff done. I obviously hope he doesn't, because constantly looking so awkward probably won't help him much, but that seems like the obvious course of action to me.

Then again, to me the obvious course of action would also be to get as much free TV as possible, particularly in front of national audiences (like, say, those people who watch debates), so it should be pretty apparent how little I have in common with the NDP.

And you're just realizing the security thing now? He's been telegraphing it since at least the Parliament Hill attacks. I don't know if the original intent was to distract people from the economy -- he was probably hoping it would be a distraction from the Duffy trial (Nigel Wright is testifying this week!) -- but he's been hoping to fight this election on security and defence since...I don't know, the Russian incursion into the Ukraine? Probably even before then. They figure that if people are scared, they'll go with a known quantity rather than someone unknown or "untested".

I don't know if this has been posted but goddamn it is scary.

http://i.imgur.com/8THSx2S.gifv

...and Harper shoots ahead of Mulcair in the Creepy-lympics!

So, who is ready for another Justin Trudeau "Just not Ready" Ad!

Video
Huffington Post Article

Oh, Conservatives. I'd say that their ridiculousness knows no bounds, but the reality is...their base loves this stuff.

 

[Pedrito]

A hundred more "Mulcair is worse than Hitler"-type posts and I might change my vote. I might

Spoiler

...to Harper

 

[lupinko]

A hundred more "Mulcair is worse than Hitler"-type posts and I might change my vote. I might

Spoiler

...to Harper

But with your avatar shouldn't you always be on the Mulcair Bear train?

 

[Pedrito]

But with your avatar shouldn't you always be on the Mulcair Bear train?

It's either bears or animatronics. I swing both ways.

http://i.imgur.com/8THSx2S.gifv

 

[matthewwhatever]

A hundred more "Mulcair is worse than Hitler"-type posts and I might change my vote. I might

Spoiler

...to Harper

Hey, if you're going to go for the angry control freak, you may as well go for the originator.

 

[subrock]

happy to say that in all my hours on the internet I have yet to see a "just not ready" ad

 

[lupinko]

It's either bears or animatronics. I swing both ways.

http://i.imgur.com/8THSx2S.gifv

But Mulcair is an ANIMATRONIC BEAR.

 

[GSG Flash]

Conservatives might have fucked up, at least according to their base:



More at link: http://news.nationalpost.com/news/canada/canadian-politics/tories-promise-to-bring-10000-additional-refugees-from-syria-and-iraq-to-canada-if-elected

Look at the comments, numerous hardcore conservatives are rather pissed at this.

Anti-immigration/refugee sentiments are real strong, especially when Middle-Easterners/Muslims are involved.

Yikes

The comments section of National Post articles may as well be Stormfront Canada. I'm disappointed that bigots like them exist in Canada.

 

[Pedrito]

But Mulcair is an ANIMATRONIC BEAR.

That's why I said it will take many more posts for me to drop Old Big Bear.

Old Bear, he likes the honey!

 

[TheOMan]

That's why I said it will take many more posts for me to drop Old Big Bear.

Old Bear, he likes the honey!

I didn't even know we were calling him Big Bear .

 

[lamaroo]

I didn't even know we were calling him Big Bear .

We never had a chance to.

 

[jstripes]

I don't know if this has been posted but goddamn it is scary.

http://i.imgur.com/8THSx2S.gifv

That's in Mario Kart 8 territory.

 

[lupinko]

That's in Mario Kart 8 territory.

Someone should photoshop that over Luigi and still have Ridin Dirty play.

 

[matthewwhatever]

The Conservatives have dropped their gag order on rally attendees after the media finally noticed it yesterday.

Meanwhile, the NDP are holding a giveaway of Thomas Mulcair's new book, and entrants have to agree to a background check conducted by the Party.

Spoiler

There's no way that's not an administrative error, but it's still pretty funny.

Meanwhile, in more substantive news, any time the Conservatives start trumpeting their devotion to security and defence, just remember this:

 

[SRG01]

The Conservatives have dropped their gag order on rally attendees after the media finally noticed it yesterday.

Meanwhile, the NDP are holding a giveaway of Thomas Mulcair's new book, and entrants have to agree to a background check conducted by the Party.

Spoiler

There's no way that's not an administrative error, but it's still pretty funny.

Meanwhile, in more substantive news, any time the Conservatives start trumpeting their devotion to security and defence, just remember this:

Defense spending at 1% of GDP is shameful, especially with how the government touts its role overseas and support of veterans.

 

[Silexx]

Defense spending at 1% of GDP is shameful, especially with how the government touts its role overseas and support of veterans.

Yep. Also, NATO targets asks allies to contribute at least 2% of GDP. Harper is basically mooching off NATO.

 

[SRG01]

Yep. Also, NATO targets asks allies to contribute at least 2% of GDP. Harper is basically mooching off NATO.

I love how the Conservatives say they're pro-defense when they've gutted support for veterans and completely ruined the procurement process for new equipment. The naval destroyer contract is how many years overdue now? And the lump sum for disabled veterans?

 

[Tabris]

Yes, Canada is multicultural and all, but those other languages do not form Canada's founding history. Also in terms of practicality, unless you are arguing for Mandarin or Spanish (and even then they shouldn't be put over French in Canada in my opinion), the other languages you try to argue for don't really have as much practical use when compared to Francais.

I'll use Japanese for example, unless you plan on moving to Japan, or being a scholar in Japanese be it as a linguist or in Asian Studies to working directly with Japanese businesses or communities, then no it shouldn't take priority over French. And there isn't anything wrong about learning it as a hobby and for enjoyment but to say it has more practical demand over French is downright uninformed and naive, and sorta reeks of weeabooness, and this is a video game forum after all.

I know many Canadians in English Canada, notably in the west like to kick down French, but guess what, French is as much Canada as is English (and Aboriginal languages). This is it, plain and simple.

First, the question is why prioritize French. How does the french language affect any Canadian outside of Quebec or needs to do business in Quebec. I personally have done more business in Asian countries, including Japan, then Quebec, and that's very common here, especially in British Columbia.

So that answers your second statement on Japanese. I find your weeabooness comment very uninformed and naive personally as I listed multiple languages. The fact is Japan is 4th major economy in the world and a player in our economy more than France is the reason why that language should be prioritized over French. It's much harder to do business in english with a Japanese client then it is to do business with a French client in english. I also think Hindi should be a language to prioritize over French, being the 3rd largest economy, as well as a good amount of the demographics in British Columbia over native french.

So simple question that no one is answering. Give me a reason why you should learn French over Mandarin, Hindi, Japanese, Korean, German, Spanish, Portuguese, etc. How does it benefit our citizens more?

And going back to "that's how we were founded" as the reason is weak. Thats the same thing as Americans going on about the constitution and defending gun rights and shit like that. It's archaic. Things change. England and France were the superpowers of the world during Lower Canada/Upper Canada. That's not the case anymore. Time to adjust.

 

[gutter_trash]

First, the question is why prioritize French. How does the french language affect any Canadian outside of Quebec or needs to do business in Quebec. I personally have done more business in Asian countries, including Japan, then Quebec, and that's very common here, especially in British Columbia.

So that answers your second statement on Japanese. I find your weeabooness comment very uninformed and naive personally as I listed multiple languages. The fact is Japan is 4th major economy in the world and a player in our economy more than France is the reason why that language should be prioritized over French. It's much harder to do business in english with a Japanese client then it is to do business with a French client in english. I also think Hindi should be a language to prioritize over French, being the 3rd largest economy, as well as a good amount of the demographics in British Columbia over native french.

So simple question that no one is answering. Give me a reason why you should learn French over Mandarin, Hindi, Japanese, Korean, German, Spanish, Portuguese, etc. How does it benefit our citizens more?

because Canada was founded by Samuel De Champlain and French-Canadians called themselves "Canadiens" way way way before the English decided to adopt the name too.

the term "Les Canadiens" was for French-Canadiens up to early 20th Century.

English Canadians only identified themselves as Canadians after the Great War and WWII.

The Beaver, the Maple Leaf were originally symbols of French-Canadians

 

[Tabris]

Please see my edit for the last statement on the whole "because we were founded like that" response.

I support their ability to protect their language and culture, as any ethnicity in Canada should be able to, but I don't support forcing it upon us. Forcing bilingual languages is a good thing as it opens up the world to our citizens more, but I don't support it being French as it's no longer a more useful language then others.

 

[gutter_trash]

Please see my edit for the last statement on the whole "because we were founded like that" response.

I support their ability to protect their language and culture, as any ethnicity in Canada, but I don't support forcing it upon us. Forcing bilingual languages is a good thing as it opens up the world to our citizens more, but I don't support it being French.

I hear Cascadia is nice concept, you should try it

 

[Tabris]

I hear Cascadia is nice concept, you should try it

I do think Cascadia would be an amazing option (assuming it inherited Canada's more social policies then anything from the US), as I'm not a fan of the eastern provinces as much, but that has nothing to do with this debate.

 

[gutter_trash]

is this a debate?

because bilingualism is a done deal thanks to the awesome Pierre Trudeau (and also adopting the metric system LOL)