By Julia Smith, General Member
The complicated relationships between English and French Canadians have been shaped by a complex interplay of historical, cultural, linguistic, and political factors, and this divide between the two communities has persisted for centuries due to a lack of genuine, long-lasting efforts to bridge the gap and address the underlying issues.
The relationship between English and French Canadians has been riddled with tension and division for centuries, with the roots of this issue traced back to the early days of Canadian history when the French and the British first colonized the country. The two groups had different languages religious and political systems, which led to tensions and conflicts over control and use of land and resources. Despite being coined a “multicultural country,” this divide persists. However, members of both groups generally share a common identity as inhabitants of Canada, and the cultural and linguistic differences between them have led to marginalization and a desire for greater autonomy between the two parties, resulting in a relationship riddled with tension.
The language divide between the French and English Canadians is the most visible cause of the tension. French Canadians see their language as a vital component of their identity and culture, and they have fought for its recognition and protection for decades through mass protests, worker strikes, and political policies (CBC News). In contrast, many English Canadians view French as a secondary language and do not see the need for it to have equal status with English. This has created a sense of marginalization among French Canadians, who feel that their language and culture are not valued or respected, as is their religion. Historically, the French-speaking population in Canada has been predominantly Catholic. In contrast, the English-speaking population was predominantly Protestant, representing various denominations such as Anglicanism, Presbyterianism, Baptist, and Methodist. The British authorities, influenced by their Protestant background, sought to limit the influence and power of the Catholic Church, particularly in Quebec. Catholic institutions were often subjected to restrictions, and Catholic clergy and educators faced various forms of persecution.
The feeling of being a minority in their homeland has led to a push for greater political autonomy and recognition of Quebec's distinct identity. The desire for greater independence and recognition of the French language and culture in Quebec has been contentious for many years. The province has a distinct cultural identity that is different from the rest of Canada, and many Quebecois feel that their French language and culture are threatened by the dominance of English in North America (Government of Canada). The Quebec Sovereignty movement was a political movement that emerged in the late 20th century, seeking to make Quebec an independent country. The movement was motivated by a desire to protect Quebec's French language and culture and to have greater control over the province's political and economic affairs. The movement gained momentum in the 1970s and 1980s, and a referendum on sovereignty was held in 1980. A mass vote revealed that 50.58 percent of Quebec residents were against the referendum, contrary to the 49.42 percent of inhabitants who were for this change, which ultimately led this movement to be discarded in the landscape of mainstream politics. Yet, the notion that the votes were so close highlights the desire Quebecois have for autonomy, further reinforcing the desire for self-governance/autonomy.
Despite its setbacks, the sovereignty movement's failure in Quebec has not extinguished the persistent desire for greater autonomy within the province. This enduring aspiration for increased self-governance continues to shape the political landscape of Canada and remains a prominent topic of discussion among politicians and citizens alike. In response to the longstanding division between English and French Canadians, numerous initiatives have been undertaken to address the underlying issues and foster a more inclusive and harmonious society. Adopting
bilingualism in 1969 was a pivotal moment that recognized the importance of both English and French languages in the fabric of Canadian society. This initiative sought to bridge the linguistic divide by granting official status to both languages and promoting a more equitable treatment of the country's two major linguistic groups. This critical step towards linguistic equality represented a significant shift in Canadian policy and highlighted the government's commitment to fostering a sense of belonging for all Canadians.
The Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, re-drafted in 1982, safeguarded fundamental rights and freedoms, including language and cultural rights, by explicitly recognizing the significance of linguistic and cultural diversity; the Charter aimed to protect and preserve the unique identity of French-speaking Canadians, while also safeguarding the rights of other linguistic and cultural communities across the country. Despite these essential strides toward inclusivity, many French Canadians feel that these actions were long overdue and should have been implemented decades earlier.
Promoting bilingualism and language learning can help to foster mutual understanding and respect between English and French Canadians. Governments must invest in language education programs, and businesses can provide language training opportunities to their employees. Organizing cultural exchange programs between French and English-speaking communities can promote cross-cultural understanding and appreciation. The Explore Program, funded by the Government of Canada, offers immersive language learning experiences in English or French for students aged 18-30. Participants live with a host family and attend language classes, cultural activities, and excursions, and the program has successfully promoted bilingualism and cross-cultural understanding. In addition to the previously mentioned efforts, addressing the economic factors contributing to the divide between English and French Canadians is essential. Historically, French Canadians were marginalized and excluded from many economic opportunities due to discrimination and lack of access to education and resources (Morton, Desmond. A Short History of Canada). The marginalization has led to a persistent economic gap between the two communities, exacerbating tensions and perpetuating the divide. To bridge this financial gap, efforts can be made to provide equal access to education and job opportunities for French Canadians and provide subsidies for French-language businesses alongside addressing the systemic discrimination that French Canadians face in the job market and other areas of the economy for all Canadians.
Despite being a multicultural country, the divide between the two communities persists due to a lack of genuine, long-lasting efforts to bridge the gap and address the underlying issues. The language divide between the two groups is the most visible cause of tension, with French Canadians feeling marginalized and undervalued. Acknowledging and addressing the past injustices caused by colonialism and discrimination is also a necessary step toward reconciliation and healing. Only through genuine efforts and initiatives can we hope to bridge the gap between English and French Canadians and create a more united, diverse, and inclusive Canada.
The following resources were used in the creation of this blog post:
“Dispatches.” French Canada and Recruitment during the First World War | Dispatches | Learn | Canadian War Museum, www.warmuseum.ca/learn/dispatches/french-Canada-and-recruitment-during-the-first-world-war/#tabs
“Is There a Deep Split between French and English Canada?: AHA.” Is There a Deep Split between French and English Canada? | AHA, www.historians.org/about-aha-and-membership/aha-history-and-archives/gi-roundtable-series/pamphlets/em-47-cour-oldest-good-neighbor-(1946)/is-there-a-deep-split-between-french-and-English
“Francophone-Anglophone Relations.” The Canadian Encyclopedia, www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/francophone-anglophone-relations
Heritage, Canadian. “Government of Canada.” Canada.Ca, / Gouvernement Du Canada, 19 Feb. 2021, www.canada.ca/en/canadian-heritage/corporate/publications/general-publications/equality-official-languages.html#a3.
Reynolds, W. Richard. “French-English Tensions Increase in Canada.” Tampa Bay Times, Tampa Bay Times, 16 Jan. 2020, www.tampabay.com/archive/1990/03/02/french-English-tensions-increase-in-canada/