I get that you’re trying to say that the NDP was able to do something, but there’s no evidence they were consulted on it. Given that it lasted less than a day before the strike was stopped, it was probably something the government didn’t discuss long.
The action was taken by a cabinet member to order the Canadian Industrial Relations Board to step in. The CIRB isn’t controlled by any party. Singh came out with a statement that condemns the move, and says it signals that any federally-regulated field doesn’t have to negotiate with workers in good faith. I don’t know where you heard that any party has the ability to stop this other than the party who the current Minister of Labour belongs to, but no action was taken that needed to pass the House.
Normally I’d expect to see this stuff on !curatedtumblr@sh.itjust.works
Co-ops have been shown to be less likely to fail than traditional businesses in their first ten years. The article argues that if Canada spent $1b on helping workers to purchase businesses from retiring entrepreneurs, it would drastically raise the wealth of the poorest citizens and allow for more stable businesses.
I chose an example I know of that ensures language services are available for its people. If you want to discuss the overall content of my comment instead of a minor aspect of it, feel free. If not, I think we’re done.
It’s not though. None of those countries are explicitly banning government communication in other languages, and removing other services that have been in place. None of those countries are going out of their way to say to businesses “If you don’t communicate in the language of our choice, you’ll be required to pay us money.”
Coming from the United States, services were often offered in Spanish because it was an uncommon language, but still prevalent enough that people spoke it regularly. Spanish isn’t an official language of the US, but they recognized the need to serve their people better and took steps to do this. Citizens might be assholes who would say something like “This is America, speak American,” but the government at least made the effort to help. Quebec is echoing those citizens, while saying their own heritage is so fragile that if they have to serve their populace better that it will disappear. I can’t imagine any of those other countries you mentioned are so thin-skinned.
I need to file an official request to be served in English with businesses that are serving me paperwork since the bill was passed. This isn’t because they can’t serve me in English. Previously, they had been without issue. These official requests are cover-your-ass statements so they don’t get in trouble when using English versions.
Additionally, the only language you can get certain things like birth certificates, wedding certificates, power of attorney, etc. is French. Need an English version? You’ll need to pay for a translator.
Additionally, even if I wanted to access any government services in English, I need to lie. I don’t speak fluent French, but have been here for more than 6 months, so technically, none of those English-provided services are legally accessible to me. If I want to find out what forms I need, or get information on government services, according to bill 96 I better learn French right now or stay ignorant.
And this is just the hassle it’s caused me. Small businesses have to report headcounts of how many people don’t speak fluent French. Signage needs to be put up by next year that’s compliant with the need to be “visibly French dominant.” Failure to comply means fines.
I don’t care what the official language of Quebec is. I don’t care if the government wants to devote holidays and school time to teaching about French history. This doesn’t affect me, and it’s educational and helps keep Quebecois heritage alive.
I care that, because French isn’t my first language, I’m made to feel like a second-class citizen for asking for service not in French. I care that government services deny accessibility because they’re speaking a different language. I care that businesses will have to jump through even more hoops to do business in Quebec, not because of product safety or consumer protection, and not even because of lack of accessibility, but instead because it’s just not a language the government prefers. I got my citizenship last year, and I’m glad I’m a Canadian. But Quebec’s government sure as shit doesn’t want me living there.
This one is long, so here’s just a link to it