Ottawa man lobbies for bilingual bus drivers

[CD]

Ottawa man lobbies for bilingual bus drivers

Last Updated: Friday, December 7, 2007 | 5:47 PM ET
CBC News

Ottawa bus drivers might greet riders with a "hello," but a "bonjour" is rare, and that's not fair, says one francophone passenger.

Michel Thibodeau has launched an official complaint against OC Transpo, the city's public transit company, demanding that it enforce its policy of treating francophones and anglophones equally.

That entails greeting passengers, calling out stops and making announcements in both languages, he said.

"So that francophones don't feel left out," he added.

The company should ensure new drivers are bilingual and current drivers should get language training so they can at least greet passengers in French, he said.

The City of Ottawa's French services department is currently looking into the complaint. Thibodeau said he expects to hear from them next week.

Bilingual drivers would be ideal, said OC Transpo head Alain Mercier, and the company is making an effort to offer more services in both languages.

"It certainly is a challenge to work towards bilingualism with the 2,000 people in our organization," he said.

And while the people hired by the company aren't guaranteed to be bilingual, the vehicles they use will be.

All new buses will be soon be equipped with a system that automatically calls out major stops in both French and English, Mercier said.

Hmmmmmm... I wonder if this is the same Michel Thibodeau of Air Ontario / 7-Up fame?

Air Canada sued over language dispute
Row over soft drink: Bilingual passenger claims he was not served in French

Ron Corbett
Ottawa Citizen
03-08-2002

OTTAWA - A federal government employee is suing Air Canada for more than $500,000 because he could not order a 7-Up in French.

Michel Thibodeau, a 34-year-old computer technician with the House of Commons, filed the lawsuit in federal court yesterday. The lawsuit asks for a public apology from Air Canada and regional carrier Air Ontario, plus $25,000 in damages, $500,000 in punitive damages.

"I am not asking for a right here, I am exercising a right I already have," Mr. Thibodeau said shortly after filing his lawsuit.

The Commissioner of Official Languages has already investigated Mr. Thibodeau's complaint against Air Canada and ruled in his favor in January. The commissioner investigated for 16 months before ruling Mr. Thibodeau, who is fluently bilingual, was unable to use French to order a 7-Up while he was a passenger on a Montreal to Ottawa flight on Aug. 14, 2000.

The 7-Up dispute became so heated that Air Canada called the Ottawa-Carleton police to interview Mr. Thibodeau when the plane landed. No charges were filed and there was no formal police investigation.

"Because I tried to get service in French from Air Canada, they phoned the cops on me," says Mr. Thibodeau.

According to the written decision of the Official Languages Commissioner, problems developed as soon as Mr. Thibodeau and his wife boarded the Air Ontario flight when Mr. Thibodeau said "Bonjour" to the flight attendant and she answered in English.

Shortly after takeoff, the flight attendant began beverage service. Mr. Thibodeau, speaking French, ordered a 7-Up and the flight attendant told him she did not understand. Mr. Thibodeau repeated the order in French. The flight attendant continued to say she couldn't understand, and eventually an off-duty flight attendant came over to interpret.

The off-duty flight attendant eventually served Mr. Thibodeau a Sprite. Mr. Thibodeau then asked to speak to the captain. He made the request several times, yelling it at least once, at which point the captain called the Ottawa police and asked them to meet the plane when it landed.

Mr. Thibodeau says he wants Air Canada to apologize for not offering services in French. He also wants the airline to implement recommendations made by the Official Languages Commissioner after it investigated his complaint.

Those recommendations included spot-checks of flight attendants -- to ensure they are bilingual -- as well as an "action plan" to ensure services are offered in both official languages on all flights of "significant demand."

Mr. Thibodeau says his monetary demands will have to be met as well. "I don't think I will settle this without some sort monetary compensation," says Mr. Thibodeau. "I had the cops called on me. I don't think Air Canada will ever take this seriously until they get hit in the pocketbook."

Source: Ottawa Citizen

Thibodeau v. Air Canada (F.C.), 2005 FC 1156, (2005), [2006] 2 F.C.R. 70 - August 24, 2005

[xsbank]

Makes you just want to slit your throat. That's the sort of thing that makes the West want to blow up Quebec (and I lived there for 5 years).

If I was the FA on that flight it would be difficult for me to not insert that Sprite where the sun don't shine.

Then again, stupid for AC to rile the masses by not having a French-speaking FA on board.

Once in five years living in Montreal and travelling all over Quebec, ONCE in Montreal somebody was rude to me because I did not speak French. Gaspesie, Quebec City? No problem. So I'm a moron for not learning the local language? Probably, but everybody except my sister-in-law spoke English too!

Did you know there's a sign on the outskirts of Quebec City on the freeway that says "Welcome To The Nation's Capital"?

Je Me Souviens (don't pay any attention to me, its Friday night and I'm down on my units this week).

[Dust Devil]

We need a sign in Regina like that but it'll say Welcome to Rider Nation's Capital

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-qM9KldBwPo

Rider Nation Within a United Canada!!!

[CD]

[.......]

xsbank... make sure you don't change for a wider brush!

[Dash-Ate]

And mr. consverative Harper recently appeased these fanatics by saying they are a distinct society! How about that one you right wingers??

Must have been an easy way to buy votes for next time.

[2R]

They should make those drivers play the flute as well !!!!!!
Driving is to easy ,they should make them get off at every stop and do a Morris dance .Dance in every language until all the language gods are appeased
Eich bein ein dusselldorfer micht des schizenboffer

[Hornblower]

Then again, stupid for AC to rile the masses by not having a French-speaking FA on board.

.

In fact it wasn't even an Air Canada Flight, it was Air Ontario, and not even a flight from Quebec!

That, would be similar to making the same complaint a regional in BC.

The stupid supreme court even awarded him some damages????

[CD]

In fact it wasn't even an Air Canada Flight, it was Air Ontario, and not even a flight from Quebec!

That, would be similar to making the same complaint a regional in BC.

Actually, the flight was from Montréal to Ottawa...

"This was an application for a remedy under subsection 77(1) of the Official Languages Act (OLA). The applicant alleged that the respondents failed to comply with their language obligations under Part IV of that Act and subsection 10(2) of the Air Canada Public Participation Act (ACPPA). On August 14, 2000, the applicant and his wife were passengers on an Air Ontario flight from Montréal to Ottawa. Air Ontario is a subsidiary of Air Canada and part of Air Canada Regional Inc. The only flight attendant on duty that day was a unilingual Anglophone. Therefore, the applicant could not be served in French. He filed a written complaint with the Commissioner of Official Languages, Air Canada and Air Ontario concerning the lack of services in French on that flight. Following a report of the Office of the Commissioner of Official Languages delivered to the applicant in January 2002, the latter filed this application which gave rise to a number of issues. The main issue was whether Air Canada had a duty to ensure that its subsidiaries were providing services in both official languages on routes with a significant demand and whether there was a breach of the applicant's language rights.

Held, the application should be allowed against Air Canada and dismissed against Air Canada Regional Inc.

Air Canada is under a statutory duty to comply with the OLA and the Regulations thereunder pursuant to section 10 of the ACPPA which, effective July 5, 2000, expressly provides that Air Canada must ensure that customers may communicate with and be served in the official language of their choice when they use the services of Air Canada subsidiaries."

[Dust Devil]

And mr. consverative Harper recently appeased these fanatics by saying they are a distinct society! How about that one you right wingers??

Must have been an easy way to buy votes for next time.

what is so anti conservative about that?

[JakeYYZ]

Related:
For the past decade, statistician Charles Castonguay has been predicting the demise of francophone communities outside Quebec.

Now, with census data showing a continuing slide in native French-speakers outside Quebec, he says it's time to cut off federal government life-support to the shrinking francophone outposts.

Link http://www.nationalpost.com/todays_pape ... ?id=150793

[Hornblower]

Actually, the flight was from Montréal to Ottawa...

Ok I thought it was from Ottawa. In any case, what happens to all the regional carriers that do "Air Canada" connections under AC flight numbers that are not subsidieraries of AC, ... like Georgian for example?

I guess Air Canada is the only carrier bound by that legislation, so it's not really an issue for the others (and I don't feel too sorry for AC cause they made their own bed), but that means that for all their smaller skeds they have to have at least one fully bilingual FA, including all the Jazz flights taking place east and west of Québec. Or is Jazz no longer a subsidiery of Air Canada? Only a sub of ACE holdings?

Or am I wrong on that too?

[xsbank]

Sorry Skylounger, "make sure you don't change for a wider brush..." if you mean, did I ever demand my rights as an English-speaking Canadian to be able to speak English in that part of Canada, no, I never did, I was always apologetic that I did not speak French (I, undoubtedly, am perfect). In fact, as I tried to point out, with one exception my interaction with the 'locals' was always pleasant and half my vacations were spent exploring weird parts of Quebec where we could experience Quebecois culture.

That's not to say I liked the traffic, potholes, suicidal drivers, subterranean cities, drinking water, weather or the mindless nitwit politics and the whining about entitlement, distinct society and the "fiscal deficit." Utter Bollocks.

Definition of a split-second: in Montreal, the time between a light turning green and the first horn honking.

[JakeYYZ]

Actually, the flight was from Montréal to Ottawa...

Ok I thought it was from Ottawa. In any case, what happens to all the regional carriers that do "Air Canada" connections under AC flight numbers that are not subsidieraries of AC, ... like Georgian for example?

I guess Air Canada is the only carrier bound by that legislation, so it's not really an issue for the others (and I don't feel too sorry for AC cause they made their own bed), but that means that for all their smaller skeds they have to have at least one fully bilingual FA, including all the Jazz flights taking place east and west of Québec. Or is Jazz no longer a subsidiery of Air Canada? Only a sub of ACE holdings?

Or am I wrong on that too?

The only ACE components exempt from official language requirements are Aeroplan, and Air Canada’s tour operators, Destina and Air Canada Vacation.

[Greg87]

Alright, so what happens when the bus drivers demand more money because they now have to be bilingual? The bus rates go up, and nobody is happy, how does this help? I'm sorry, but I know enough French to manage riding the Subway in Paris, I'm sure that most francophones living in or around Ottawa can figure out how to get around on the bus in Ottawa.

[C-GGGQ]

I'm sorry, but I know enough French to manage riding the Subway in Paris, I'm sure that most francophones living in or around Ottawa can figure out how to get around on the bus in Ottawa.

Damn strait. Had much less trouble getting my ass around Paris than some places in Quebec and I only made it through grade 11 french. Could my french be better? yes. should the bus drivers outside quebec HAVE to know french, no. Its a freakin bus, stops signs (even in bilingual NB) are now just STOP no more Stop/Arret. Personally I think road signs like stop shouldn't need words. If you can't figure out a red octagon (only octagon sign and only completely red sign) means stop, then you can't be helped

[corporate joe]

Sorry Skylounger, "make sure you don't change for a wider brush..." if you mean, did I ever demand my rights as an English-speaking Canadian to be able to speak English in that part of Canada, no, I never did, I was always apologetic that I did not speak French (I, undoubtedly, am perfect). In fact, as I tried to point out, with one exception my interaction with the 'locals' was always pleasant and half my vacations were spent exploring weird parts of Quebec where we could experience Quebecois culture.

That's not to say I liked the traffic, potholes, suicidal drivers, subterranean cities, drinking water, weather or the mindless nitwit politics and the whining about entitlement, distinct society and the "fiscal deficit." Utter Bollocks.

Definition of a split-second: in Montreal, the time between a light turning green and the first horn honking.

Haha, I had a good laugh. Your experience was similar to mine. No pressure from locals, friendly interesting people, boring mindless politics, and speed limit +25 everywhere is the norm.

[CD]

OC rider wants drivers to be bilingual
January 28, 2008

An Ottawa man who successfully sued Air Canada for not serving him in French has turned his sights to OC Transpo.

Michel Thibodeau filed a complaint against the city last November accusing it of not providing sufficient bilingual services on its buses.

Thibodeau told the Sun the city has failed to satisfy his rights as a francophone because bus drivers are not calling out bus stops in both official languages.

He said based on the city's own official bilingualism bylaw and policy he deserves the same rights, status and privileges as an anglophone.

SERVED IN ENGLISH

"When I take the bus I can't get the same service in French," he said. "When bus drivers speak to passengers it's never in French."

Thibodeau doesn't want drivers to lose their jobs because they don't speak French, but all new hires should be bilingual and those who don't currently speak French should take language training.

Because the complaint is currently under investigation, city clerk Pierre Page couldn't comment extensively on the issue, but said the city takes all language complaints seriously.

Page said he's not sure if the city will require all bus drivers to be bilingual once it completes a department-wide review of its official bilingual designation policy. He did say several bus drivers are already bilingual.

The report is expected to reach city council later this year.

"OC Transpo is one we are still working on," said Page. "It's in the hands of our legal department."

A recent court challenge ended in favour of the city's current bilingualism position after the group Canadians For Language Fairness challenged Ottawa's bilingual policy.

The judge's decision found that the city's bilingual bylaw and policy are constitutional.

Thibodeau successfully sued Air Canada after he couldn't order a soft drink in French during an August 2000 flight from Ottawa to Montreal.

The judge that presided over the case concluded the airline failed to comply with the applicant's language rights under the Official Languages Act and forced Air Canada to make the necessary arrangements with its unions to ensure compliance with the Act. Air Canada sent Thibodeau a letter of apology and reimbursed him $6,000 for out-of-pocket expenses.

Thibodeau is a frequent bus rider and has experienced bus drivers only greeting passengers with "good morning" not "bonjour" and that general verbal interaction with passengers is only in English.

He is also not happy with the unilingual destination signage on the front of buses and wants them to include the appropriate French language accents.

"This is my city and my country and two peoples founded this country -- the English and the French -- and we have decided to live with each other," said Thibodeau.

The city's transit committee chairman Bay Coun. Alex Cullen said the issue could open a bilingual "can of worms."

Cullen hopes once the city installs a system that automatically calls out stops in both official languages it will resolve that issue.

[Inverted2]

I am so sick of these cry babies. How about making it legal to have some english signs in Quebec? He was in friggin Ottawa for gods sake!

[corporate joe]

(1) Any member of the public in Canada has the right to communicate with, and to receive available services from, any head or central office of an institution of the Parliament or government of Canada in English or French, and has the same right with respect to any other office of any such institution where

(a) there is a significant demand for communications with and services from that office in such language; or
(b) due to the nature of the office, it is reasonable that communications with and services from that office be available in both English and French.

http://laws.justice.gc.ca/en/Const/anne ... #languages

[CD]

corporate joe...

That doesn't apply in this case as OC Transpo is not a federal institution nor is the City of Ottawa part of the Government of Canada (or New Brunswick, the only officially bilingual province). The City does, however, have its own bilingual policy and I believe that it is this policy that is at issue:

Politique de bilinguisme

[corporate joe]

corporate joe...

That doesn't apply in this case as OC Transpo is not a federal institution nor is the City of Ottawa part of the Government of Canada (or New Brunswick, the only officially bilingual province). The City does, however, have its own bilingual policy and I believe that it is this policy that is at issue:

Politique de bilinguisme

That's the point I was trying to make, that this does not apply in every case (like this one for example).

However, seeing that link you posted changes everything. If Ottawa made it's own policies concerning language, then they should respect them or change them. Otherwise, they are at fault.

[sprucegoose]

in addition the OCtranspo buses do cross-over the bridge into Quebec....

[Nark]

Did body else notice this assholes quote was in ENGLISH!!!!

I know I like to stir the pot, but not at the taxpayers expense.

[C-GGGQ]

(or New Brunswick, the only officially bilingual province)

Even New Brunswick is starting to get away from bilingual. Stop signs are simply STOP and there have been a few more changes that I can't remember right off the top of my head. All federal services are still bilingual, but municipalities are starting to get away from it and just going with the language of the majority.