Roger Lepage lived through some landmark events that made him a champion of French minority language rights.
Who was a champion of French language rights?
Sir Louise-Hippolyte La Fontaine, a champion of French language rights, became the first head of a responsible government (similar to a prime minister) in Canada in 1849.
Who made French an official language in Canada?
The Official Languages Act was one of the cornerstones of the government of Pierre Trudeau.
When was the Charter of the French Language created in Canada?
1977
The Charter of the French Language is a law that was adopted by the Quebec government in 1977. The goal of the law is to preserve the quality and status of the French language. The Charter makes French the province’s official language when it comes to the government, education, commerce and the workplace.
When and why did Canada adopt French as an official language?
1969: The first federal Official Languages Act is adopted, and it declares English and French to be the two official languages of Canada. 1982: The Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms is adopted, and language rights are now strengthened.
Which prime minister introduced the Official Languages Act giving French equal status to English in Canada?
Prime Minister Lester B. Pearson
The Act was passed on the recommendation of the Royal Commission on Bilingualism and Biculturalism (established by Prime Minister Lester B. Pearson) and came into force on 7 September 1969.
What was the impact of the 1977 Charter of the French Language?
Introduced by Camille Laurin, Bill 101, the Charter of the French Language (1977), made French the official language of the Government and the courts of Quebec. French became the ″normal, everyday language of work, instruction, communication, commerce and business.”
How did Canada become French speaking?
In 1867, Canada became a federal state and was divided into four provinces: Ontario, Quebec, Nova Scotia and New Brunswick. French became the official language of Quebec, and through the 1969 Official Languages Act, both English and French are recognized as official languages of Canada.
Who brought French to Canada?
In 1534, French explorer Jacques Cartier ventured across the Atlantic in search of a more direct route to Asia. He reached the shores of Newfoundland and what are now Canada’s Maritime Provinces, and mapped the area of Gulf of Saint Lawrence.
Who was Canada’s first French speaking prime minister?
Born in Saint-Lin, Laurier was Canada’s first Francophone prime minister. This skilful and charismatic politician was a Member of Parliament for a phenomenal 45 years and leader of the Liberal Party for 32 years.
Who was the first French to come to Canada?
In 1604, the first European settlement north of Florida was established by French explorers Pierre de Monts and Samuel de Champlain, first on St. Croix Island (in present-day Maine), then at Port-Royal, in Acadia (present-day Nova Scotia).
Who started French immersion in Canada?
As a result of their efforts, Melikoff, Parkes and Neale are often referred to as Canada’s “founding mothers” of French immersion. Olga Melikoff, Valerie Neale, and Murielle Parkes (from left to right) at the 30th Anniversary of the St. Lambert immersion project (1995).
Which Canadian province adopted French as its official language in 1974?
Quebec
The Quebec National Assembly adopted the Official Language Act (Bill 22) in July 1974. It made French the official language in Quebec, while granting anglophones the rights they had historically enjoyed.
What was Canada called by the French?
The colony of Canada was a French colony within the larger territory of New France. It was claimed by France in 1535 during the second voyage of Jacques Cartier, in the name of the French king, Francis I.
What did the French call Canada?
Starting in the 16th century, French fur traders and brides-to-be sought their fortunes in the colonies—stoking tension with indigenous people. In 1534, Jacques Cartier began the first of three expeditions to explore the territory that would briefly be known as New France.
What is Canada’s only bilingual province?
New Brunswick
Yes, New Brunswick is Canada’s only officially bilingual province. This is because the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms specifically recognizes that English and French are the official languages of New Brunswick.
Which Canadian province was designated by the British government for French speakers?
Province of Quebec
The Province of Quebec (French: Province de Québec) was a colony in British North America which comprised the former French colony of Canada. It was established by the Kingdom of Great Britain in 1763, following the conquest of New France by British forces during the Seven Years’ War.
When did Canada join La Francophonie?
List of member states
| Country | Joined | Language |
|---|---|---|
| Canada | 1970 | Officially bilingual, French included |
| * New Brunswick | 1977 | officially bilingual, French included |
| * Quebec | 1971 | French |
| Cape Verde | 1996 | Portuguese |
Who were the 2 official founding peoples and languages of Canada?
To understand what it means to be Canadian, it is important to know about our three founding peoples—Aboriginal, French and British.
Does bill 96 violate the Charter?
The EMSB says Bill 96 contravenes Section 23 of the charter, which covers minority language education rights and cannot be overridden by the notwithstanding clause.
What percent of Quebec speaks French?
Of Quebec’s people, 71.2 percent are native francophones and 95 percent speak French as their first or second language.
Francophones across Canada.
| Province/territory | Quebec |
|---|---|
| Group name | Québécois |
| Principal regions | Regions of Quebec |
| French as mother tongue | 8,214,000 |
| Percentage | 71.2% |