Canada/Clarence Rockland wants to promote French

Clarence-Rockland City Council unanimously adopted a motion Wednesday evening to secure its French-language services.

The decision thus voted is in addition to a municipal by-law, obliging the City to offer services in French according to the principle of active offer. Like "Bonjour-Hi", we want to ensure that French-language services are offered at the first point of contact," points out Trevor Stewart, the city councillor behind the motion.

French on the decline

Statistics from the latest 2021 census are at the root of the councillor's motion.

According to the councillor, the use of French in Clarence-Rockland has steadily declined over the past 20 years. Realizing this really made me want to protect French-language services in our city," he says in an interview this Thursday on Les Matins d'Ici.

According to Statistics Canada, the number of people knowing only French in Clarence-Rockland fell by 14.8% - or 300 fewer people - between 2016 and 2021.

Over the same period, the number of people who know only English increased by 23.5% - or 1,280 more people.

The Association canadienne-française de l'Ontario (ACFO) for the Prescott and Russell region is very pleased with this position.

We fully support this decision, which confirms the bilingual character of the municipality and reinforces the right of French-speaking citizens to receive services in their language," reads a written statement.

This measure, now enshrined in municipal bylaws, sends a clear message: the French language is an integral part of Clarence-Rockland's social, cultural and community fabric," adds the organization.

A sentiment shared by doctor of law and political scientist Frédéric Bérard. A resolution is essentially a symbol. A by-law, on the other hand, has the force of law, applies to individuals and, by definition, applies to public bodies such as municipalities," he points out.

According to the language rights specialist, municipalities have a duty and a responsibility to protect the French language.

Ideally, [the Clarence-Rockland resolution] will create a ripple effect," he adds.

The French fact, a long-standing battle

The issue of protecting the French language in a minority setting is not new to the City of Clarence-Rockland. In 2005, the city was divided over the issue of dual-language signage. Since then, the issue of French has regularly resurfaced.

With this decision and its recently adopted strategic plan, Clarence-Rockland is reaffirming the francophone character of our municipality," says Councillor Trevor Stewart.

It's an achievement of the council and councillors who hold the francophonie very close to their hearts.

Source: ici.radio-canada.ca/