Speaking too much English?
Colleagues object to city councillor’s bilingual speeches
Bob Myles has been a municipal councillor since 1998, representing bilingual Greenfield Park in the merged city of Longueuil for the last 10 years. The opposition leader in the suburb on Montreal’s South Shore speaks French and English at council meetings, which seemed to be fine until last month, when Mayor Caroline StHilaire and two councillors on her team objected. The mayor asked the council speaker, Nathalie Boisclair, to check whether Myles’s use of English respected Quebec’s language law, Bill 101. “For me, the city of Longueuil is francophone,” she said. Last week, Boisclair said Myles can continue to speak English, as long as he uses French first. He spoke to the National Post’s Graeme Hamilton about la tempête dans un verre d’eau.
Q Did this come out of the blue?
A It only started in May. I’ve been elected since 2005 in the merged city of Longueuil, and I’ve always done my interventions in French and English. As the leader of the opposition now, I respect the language. I get up, and I say everything in French and then in English. You know, I read a paragraph in French and a paragraph in English. And it’s been going great, no problems whatsoever. I guess they were a little upset, because I spoke for 18 minutes, that was nine minutes in French, nine in English. As leader of the opposition, I can say what I like. If I’ve got to talk for half an hour, I’ll talk for half an hour. I’m speaking in French. I respect their language, and they’re coming back and shooting me down, using me like a punching bag. I don’t know what their problem is.
Q There was nothing that provoked it. Is it just that you went on for too long?
A Maybe, but the leader of the opposition before me would talk for an hour. That was the longest I’ve spoken. But I should have the chance to speak the way I want to speak. I respect everybody, French and English. Q Why is it important to speak half English, half French when Longueuil is predominantly French speaking, and even anglophones would probably understand what you said in French?
A I am the borough president of Greenfield Park in which we have bilingual status, so whatever goes on, I think it’s important that the citizens of Greenfield Park understand. You know as well as I do, everyone says they understand a bit of French, but a lot of people don’t understand the jargon of the political scene. I think it’s important that I can speak in French and in English, so that everyone can understand me.
Q How are your constituents reacting?
A Greenfield Park is happy that I’m doing this. A lot of the anglophones, even some francophones, are backing me up. They’re saying, ‘Bob it should be bilingual.’ A lot of French Canadians moved to Greenfield Park so their children would have a chance to play with anglophone children when they were growing up. It made it easier for them to understand the language before they even went to school. Greenfield Park is a great community. We have our bilingual status and everyone gets along with everybody, and we don’t need this. I don’t know if it’s because St. Jean Baptiste Day is coming up and the federal election is coming up for the Bloc Québécois, I have no idea. Maybe (the mayor) is just p--sed off because I speak too much English, I don’t know.
Q The speaker has concluded there’s nothing wrong with you proceeding exactly as you have been?
A I’m respecting Bill 101. I’m speaking in French first, then going onto English. I don’t see how anyone could be upset.
Q Have you made a stand for English before?
A At work, I was on a negotiating committee, and all our pamphlets were in French. Some friends and I took steps to have pamphlets available in English. Now it’s all translated. With these things, we’ve moved on. It’s just information. We’re not trying to take anyone’s language away. Language is a way of communication.
Q Do you consider yourself a militant for anglo rights?
A I consider myself an Anglo-Quebecer. I’m not saying I’m a militant for anglo rights, but I’m there and I speak my mind. I respect everybody. I’m not here to step on any toes. But I don’t like having my toes stepped on either.
This interview has been condensed and edited