Questions about Quebec
- Thread starter Dcsi
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Re: Quebec; Some questions
A touchy subject indeed. A lot of good and bad feedback from people all over Canada and Quebec, myself from the other end of the country where we are neglected by the rest of Canada and it’s government, are prone the have more hatred towards Quebec even though I don’t.
I really want to touch basis on the language here, it seems to me in the past few years Toronto has gotten ahead of any other Canadian city, especially on the east coast. French may be the language of love but English is most defiantly the language of business. Indeed this is hurting Quebec, not everyone in the world speaks French nor do they want to learn.
Let’s say I’m a cowboy from Texas and I’m coming up to Montreal for an uber important interview or business conference. I would be completely lost as to where to go and the people would be reluctant to provide directions.
I’m not sure about this, correct me if I am wrong, but all these American company’s such as, Home Depot and a few others are planning to or if not already open stores in Quebec. These major corporations generate huge amounts of jobs for people, students, and uneducated people, part time employees and still manage to provide benefits as well. We all hate giving into American companies but most of them are the lifelines of our country, what would happen in the event of separation? These American companies would without a doubt, “pull out”, and “close up shop”.
A touchy subject indeed. A lot of good and bad feedback from people all over Canada and Quebec, myself from the other end of the country where we are neglected by the rest of Canada and it’s government, are prone the have more hatred towards Quebec even though I don’t.
I really want to touch basis on the language here, it seems to me in the past few years Toronto has gotten ahead of any other Canadian city, especially on the east coast. French may be the language of love but English is most defiantly the language of business. Indeed this is hurting Quebec, not everyone in the world speaks French nor do they want to learn.
Let’s say I’m a cowboy from Texas and I’m coming up to Montreal for an uber important interview or business conference. I would be completely lost as to where to go and the people would be reluctant to provide directions.
I’m not sure about this, correct me if I am wrong, but all these American company’s such as, Home Depot and a few others are planning to or if not already open stores in Quebec. These major corporations generate huge amounts of jobs for people, students, and uneducated people, part time employees and still manage to provide benefits as well. We all hate giving into American companies but most of them are the lifelines of our country, what would happen in the event of separation? These American companies would without a doubt, “pull out”, and “close up shop”.
RE: Quebec; Some questions
First, I'd like to welcome you to CanadianContent! Another person from BC, so welcome
Québec already has a lot of American stores which have opened up. I lived near a Home Depot in Montréal with a Harveys.
Would they close up shop? I don't think it's that easy. I'm sure they would continue to operate in the province with or without an attachment to Canada. They would lose even more business, though. Trade with Quebec would probably slow a lot and most of the business which still remains in Québec would surely move to Toronto or Vancouver.
It's not just American corporations that would move out, it's the Canadian ones too.
First, I'd like to welcome you to CanadianContent! Another person from BC, so welcome
Québec already has a lot of American stores which have opened up. I lived near a Home Depot in Montréal with a Harveys.
Would they close up shop? I don't think it's that easy. I'm sure they would continue to operate in the province with or without an attachment to Canada. They would lose even more business, though. Trade with Quebec would probably slow a lot and most of the business which still remains in Québec would surely move to Toronto or Vancouver.
It's not just American corporations that would move out, it's the Canadian ones too.
Re: Quebec; Some questions
Ahem, excuse me but as I already mentionned on this forum, I go to restaurant in Montreal and sometimes I can't even get service in french. You wouldn't have any problems getting help from someone in most cities in Quebec. If you ask someone that doesn't speak a word of english, then probably they won't answer you, but most people understand english and can speak a couple of words. A lot of people are completely bilingual. So if you speak english or french, there's a really good chance that you would be understood.
Hello_BC said:
Ahem, excuse me but as I already mentionned on this forum, I go to restaurant in Montreal and sometimes I can't even get service in french. You wouldn't have any problems getting help from someone in most cities in Quebec. If you ask someone that doesn't speak a word of english, then probably they won't answer you, but most people understand english and can speak a couple of words. A lot of people are completely bilingual. So if you speak english or french, there's a really good chance that you would be understood.
RE: Quebec; Some questions
I will reply in more detail later, but I lived in Quebec City for 5 years at the time of the FLQ crisis .... It was my early teens, my father fully bilingual - born in an Ontario (Ottawa) french family, my last name is french, but I do not speak the language, and never have (fluently, anyway). Almost kidnapped myself (close call) as my father was an Army officer in military intelligence stationed at the Citadel. Avoiding mailboxes, as many were being blown up, and just being careful - but life went on.
BUT .... most wonderful province I have ever lived in (I was an army brat, so we moved a lot), and some of the best people I have ever met. Also, best education system compared to the rest of Canada.
Note the "rest of Canada" comment. Most people in Quebec do not want separatism, just recognition as a unique identity within Canada - which they are.
I will reply in more detail later, but I lived in Quebec City for 5 years at the time of the FLQ crisis .... It was my early teens, my father fully bilingual - born in an Ontario (Ottawa) french family, my last name is french, but I do not speak the language, and never have (fluently, anyway). Almost kidnapped myself (close call) as my father was an Army officer in military intelligence stationed at the Citadel. Avoiding mailboxes, as many were being blown up, and just being careful - but life went on.
BUT .... most wonderful province I have ever lived in (I was an army brat, so we moved a lot), and some of the best people I have ever met. Also, best education system compared to the rest of Canada.
Note the "rest of Canada" comment. Most people in Quebec do not want separatism, just recognition as a unique identity within Canada - which they are.
RE: Quebec; Some questions
Thanks for the warm welcome guys. I had visited Montreal and Laval in April, Laval seemed more English and misc culture orientated. We went to a few restaurants and a lot of them didn't speak English. We went to one specific restaurant; St.Hubert, lol, and NONE of the staff spoke English. They asked me for my order in French and when I replied in English they gave me a dumbfounded look. As if she had NEVER heard the language in her life. Well, if I was a cowboy I would have flipped my hat in the air and waved my pistol around until someone took my order in English. Like I said pride will sometimes set you back.
Thanks for the warm welcome guys. I had visited Montreal and Laval in April, Laval seemed more English and misc culture orientated. We went to a few restaurants and a lot of them didn't speak English. We went to one specific restaurant; St.Hubert, lol, and NONE of the staff spoke English. They asked me for my order in French and when I replied in English they gave me a dumbfounded look. As if she had NEVER heard the language in her life. Well, if I was a cowboy I would have flipped my hat in the air and waved my pistol around until someone took my order in English. Like I said pride will sometimes set you back.
Re: RE: Quebec; Some questions
LOL. Some St-Hubs resto's are like that. Don't pay any attention.
Actually I was at a St-Hubs downtown and they gave us French menus... I don't have a problem with that, but my friends who were visiting from Toronto couldn't do with them.. So I went up and asked (in French) for some menus en Anglais. He was like "Wtf?!".
Anyhow, that's my story St-Hubs should be more accomidating since they are a big chain.
Hello_BC said:
LOL. Some St-Hubs resto's are like that. Don't pay any attention.
Actually I was at a St-Hubs downtown and they gave us French menus... I don't have a problem with that, but my friends who were visiting from Toronto couldn't do with them.. So I went up and asked (in French) for some menus en Anglais. He was like "Wtf?!".
Anyhow, that's my story
St-Hubs should be more accomidating since they are a big chain.
Re: Quebec; Some questions
Several years ago (okay, maybe 15), I went into a McDonalds in Edmundston NB, and ordered....a McChicken. The staff looked horrified, and went to the kitchen to get someone who spoke English to take my order. Now, think of it: a McDonalds doesn't exactly have too many menu options, even if you spoke Mandarin, I would think it wouldnt be hard....(and yes, to my discredit, I have eaten at a McDonalds in Beijing, and I ordered in English).
Several years ago (okay, maybe 15), I went into a McDonalds in Edmundston NB, and ordered....a McChicken. The staff looked horrified, and went to the kitchen to get someone who spoke English to take my order. Now, think of it: a McDonalds doesn't exactly have too many menu options, even if you spoke Mandarin, I would think it wouldnt be hard....(and yes, to my discredit, I have eaten at a McDonalds in Beijing, and I ordered in English).
Re: Quebec; Some questions
During my lessons of Antropology (college) I learned that a mere 17% of all Canadians are bilingual as in both speaking English as well as French (with a higher percentage of native French-speakers who also speak English than native English-speakers who also speak French). I know from my southern neighbors (the Belgians) that the percentage of people speaking both Flemish (Belgian Dutch) and French is higher. Do all Canadians learn both English and French at school, or can schools decide that for themselves whether they'll teach both languages?
During my lessons of Antropology (college) I learned that a mere 17% of all Canadians are bilingual as in both speaking English as well as French (with a higher percentage of native French-speakers who also speak English than native English-speakers who also speak French). I know from my southern neighbors (the Belgians) that the percentage of people speaking both Flemish (Belgian Dutch) and French is higher. Do all Canadians learn both English and French at school, or can schools decide that for themselves whether they'll teach both languages?