Flushing out fake news, checking politicians’ statements, finding the real numbers: the researchers of our Bureau of Investigation, based in Montreal, Quebec City and Ottawa, specialize in the art of establishing the facts. Every Saturday, they present their findings to you to allow you to see more clearly in the news of the week.
THE STATEMENT
On Tuesday, independent MP Marie Montpetit announced on Twitter her support for Bill 96, which reforms the Charter of the French language. “The French language is the bedrock of our culture. As the only French-speaking nation in America, we must remain vigilant and proactive in protecting and promoting it,” she said.
FACTS
There are several definitions of the word “nation”, but no matter which one one chooses, it is doubtful to claim that Quebec is the only French-speaking nation in America. There are several, such as the Haitians, who live in a specific territory, or the Acadians, who share the same cultural roots in several regions.
When questioned, Ms. Montpetit’s office acknowledged the error, which a press secretary allegedly made “in good faith.” “Having been minister responsible for the French language, Ms. Montpetit is well aware of the existence of other French-speaking societies in America,” he said. At the time of publishing, the tweet had not been deleted.
The International Organization of La Francophonie has calculated the percentage of the French-speaking population for each of the territories where French is spoken. We present to you the main ones in America.
QUEBECFrancophones 93%
ONTARIOFrancophones 11 %
It is home to the largest Francophone minority community in Canada. Last September, a brand new francophone university opened its doors in downtown Toronto.
NOUVEAU-BRUNSWICKFrancophones 42 %
First French-speaking community established in Canada, Acadians are found mainly in New Brunswick, but there are several communities in the other Atlantic provinces as well as in Maine and Louisiana, in the United States.
SAINT-PIERRE-ET-MIQUELONFrancophones 100%
The 6,000 inhabitants of this territory of France located south of Newfoundland are mainly descended from Norman, Breton and Basque settlers.
HAÏTIFrancophones 42 %
The Haitian Revolution, the first successful slave revolt in modern history, is a founding event for this French-speaking and Creole nation of the West Indies. Haiti is one of the 22 countries behind the International Organization of La Francophonie, created in 1970.
FRENCH GUIANAFrancophones 62%
Guyana has a mixed population bringing together around forty nationalities of various origins. The official language is French, but Guyanese Creole is the most widely spoken language in society.
SAINT-MARTINFrancophones 84 %
The territory of the island of Saint-Martin is divided into two distinct administrative units: to the north, the French overseas collectivity of Saint-Martin; to the south, an autonomous state belonging to the Netherlands.
SAINT-BARTHÉLEMYFrancophones 84%
Overseas territory of France in America, this 21 km2 community was until 2007 a district of Guadeloupe. It has since acquired a certain independence and elects a territorial council of 19 members every five years.
GUADELOUPEFrancophones 84 %
The colonial and slavery past of this archipelago of the French West Indies forges the identity of Guadeloupeans. French and Creole coexist.
MARTINIQUEFrancophones 81 %
Nationalist organizations are demanding more autonomy for this small island in the West Indies, which is still attached to France. French is the official language, but a majority speak Creole first.
–Pascal Dugas Bourdon and Marie Christine Trottier
This is the number of CEGEP teachers’ unions that have so far spoken out in favor of the application of Bill 101 at the college level, out of all 48 CEGEPs in Quebec. The movement, which has grown in recent months, is calling for English-speaking CEGEPs to be accessible only to people from this community. This is currently the case for primary and secondary school students. Debates on the issue took place alongside those on Bill 96, passed this week, which will notably add courses in French (or French) to the curriculum of college students.
– Marie-Christine Trottier
