May 28, 2001

Dear Friends,

Canada's Language Crisis

I have written to you often in the past about the threats to the survival of this country. Now I am writing to you about the nightmare here in Ottawa.

It is a prime example of the reason why the Human Rights Institute was established and why it must have the resources to protect Canadians against bad law. Canadians are sitting ducks unless they know how they will be affected by the laws that Governments pass.

What happened? Ottawa City Council has approved a Bilingualism Policy (as it is called) to apply to the broad new territory included in Ottawa. It violates the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, discriminates among people on the ground of language, adversely affects the English-speaking majority of Ottawa and surrounding areas, and creates major difficulties for the original peoples of this country and the citizens from other countries who now face language barriers that are totally unnecessary.

The Policy discards any pretence of hiring on merit. It is concerned obviously and openly with French. Bilingualism is recognized as an essential qualification  “…as crucial as any other required technical skill.” All senior management positions are to be designated as bilingual. Every part of the language at work is to be monitored. French is to be encouraged on the job.  Internal memoranda, conversations among employees, are to be listened to and reported on.

Apparently there are now to be English and French fires. Firefighters are now to be assigned on the basis of language. At the end of each year, managers are required to produce a report describing their accomplishments in advancing the official languages during the last twelve months, and submit plans or goals for the next twelve months. These are to be approved by City Council. There is no mention of reporting on how they do their jobs.

There is more. Ottawa will now enforce its idea of bilingualism on private businesses and community organizations that have the misfortune to become involved with the city. Ottawa is supposed to be Canada’s Capital. This document affects all Canadians.

Ottawa City Council, while claiming a special duty as Canada’s Capital, refused to discuss the fact that the Province of Quebec, just across the Ottawa River, is unilingual French and denies equality and employment to English-speaking Canadians. You should know that the Prime Minister and Minister Dion, openly  demanded the passage of this unbalanced document. By contrast, when English-speaking Quebeckers have complained to the United Nations against their treatment, the Federal Government defends Quebec. 

As Canadians, you can help the Institute become involved in such issues. We are non-profit and non-partisan. We must provide information to all Canadians. We must have the resources to monitor what is happening, and to help wherever we can.

AND THERE IS THE MONTFORT

HOSPITAL IN OTTAWA

The Federal Government has now gone into the Courts of Ontario to support the demand of the Montfort Hospital for special unilingual French status that cannot be downsized like other hospitals. The claim is that all taxpayers now have a duty to provide separate cultural facilities for any Francophone minority in Canada. The Federal Government is supporting that claim.

Would you like us to keep you informed?

UPDATE ON NANOOSE

We have sent you material about the illegal Federal Government seizure of Nanoose Bay and part of the Strait of Georgia in British Columbia. Enclosed is a copy of my Open Letter to the Prime Minister on November 19, 2000.

I am also enclosing a document that lists the reasons why this case is the most important challenge that can be made to this Government and this Prime Minister, to make them ACCOUNTABLE TO THE PEOPLE.

The Prime Minister has refused to refer this illegal seizure to the Supreme Court of Canada. The Human Rights Institute has the legal knowledge. We need your help.

HELP US OPEN THE DOOR FOR A DEMOCRATIC CANADA.

Sincerely Yours,

Dr. Marguerite Ritchie