MAILBOX

English-only ‘reactionary’

Dear Editor:

“English-only"’ is the same thing
as **French-only”’ sign laws. Both
are reactionary. It conjures up an
image of two children, each clut-
ching his own toy, cach unwilling
to share with the other.

I think Canadians are bigger
than that. The issue demands that
reason prevail.

The controversy does, however,
provide an opportunity to ask our

parliament — once again -—- to
revamp our Official Languages
Act.

It should be abundantly clear to
Ottawa by now {as it is indeed to
average Canadians), that language
cannot be legislated. 11 should be
equally clear that they can’t
legistate tolerance.

There is a third option — much
better than ‘‘only"’ laws -— or of-
ficial bilingualism ... a third option
that not only recognizes Canada’s
multi-ethnic heritage, but is also
cheap.

Our Charter of Rights and
Freedoms states clearly that Cana-
dians are guaranteed *‘freedom of

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.

expression.’" Common. sense
should tell us that our laws should
teflect this. Common sense should
tell us what we need is a freedom
of languages act. Instead, we have
“official bilingualism,"’ with a
burgeoning bureaucracy to pro-
mote it.

Freedom is cheap. It offers rec-
Ognition only, and all the freedom
necessary to use whatever language
we choose. It does not impose. It
does not hyphenate Canadians. It
does not bequeath official status. It
offers equal opportunity. It is
unequivocably just and fair. It is
tolerant. It is easily understood.

And it requires no bureaucracy —
it costs nothing to promote.

I want to hear from Canadians
who agree. Together we can ask
Ottawa to apply a little old-
fashioned common sense to a vola-
tile issue. In the Canadian tradi-
tion, we the people should not ex-
pect Ottawa to come to its senses
on its own. I am willing to start the
ball rolling. 1 want to hear from
you. My address is: ‘*Freedom,’”
Betty Maxwell, Box 1958,
Necpawa, Manitoba ROJ 1HO,
telephone 1-204-476-3013.

Betty Maxwell
Neepawa, Manitoba

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North Shore News

7 - Wednesday, June 6, 1990 -

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