The Failure of Bilingualism in Canada Bilingualism can be defined as "the ability to speak two languages, the frequent use (as by a community) of two languages or the political or institutional recognition of two languages" (merriam-webster dictonary). In Canada, the recognition of two languages, namely English and French, came in 1969 under the Official Languages Act, which was later revised in 1988. While the federal and provincial governments’ attempts to provide support for English and French in Canada, bilingualism is a failure because based on the most recent statistics, it is on a decline and many Canadian citizens believe it no longer plays a significant role in today's society. The Official Languages Act in Canada is passed at the federal level. The purpose of the Act is to ensure respect for English and French languages, to give both languages an equal status and to support its development. All across Canada, in federal institutions, Canadians are able to receive services in either English or French. Even in communities where French and English linguistics is a minority. This strategically resulted in increasing employment opportunities for bilingual Canadians in all federal institutions (The History of Bilingualism in Canada). Also, the federal government put in place the Official Languages in Education Program, where provinces and territories will get funding by the government for providing instruction in a second language, for example French immersion education (The History....). In addition, in 1974, the government passed the Consumer Packaging and Labeling Act where all consumer products sold in Canada has to be labeled in both official languages (The history...). Although the federal and provincial governments are taking action in promoting bilingualism, some of their actions can have a negative effect. For example, in Montreal the Quebec government warned Massimo Lecas, co-owner of the well renowned Italian restaurant Buonanotte to change certain Italian words found on the menu into French words. This particular incident caused a lot of commotion and encouraged other restaurant business owners to come forward (Hopper, Quebec). Also, as discussed below, many Canadian citizens believe the government is wasting and spending to much money in promoting bilingualism in Canada. Especially considering the fact they have failed. Offering French as a second language instruction in schools across Canada is one thing but forcing it is another. Considering we are a bilingual country, should it not be part of the elementary and secondary curriculums across the country. Especially with bilingualism in Canada on a decline which is further discussed below. Promoting bilingualism outside of the federal public services and trying to motivate English-speakers to learn French as a second language is a challenge the government is faced. In Canada, every five years, Statistics Canada will conduct a census. A census is an intricate survey on a given population where information of individuals will be recorded. According to the most recent census which was conducted in 2011, 57.8% of Canadians mother tongue is English compared to 21.7% whose mother tongue is French and in third place, Punjabi at 1.4% (Dion). Based on this information, one can agree that French, as the second most spoken language in Canada after English, stands no threat from another language. Every year, approximately 235,000 immigrants come to Canada (Dion). Helping these newcomers to learn English and French is a challenge however many are interested in doing so and often excel in the French immersion programs compared to the Anglophones born in Canada (Dion). Although the enrollment rates of French immersion have always been on a rise, Canada’s bilingualism rate dropped for the first time in the five decades between 2001 and 2011. The rate dipped to 17.5% from 17.7% ("Bilingualism Canada"). While the English – French bilingualism rate is decreasing across Canada, Quebec is the only province where it rose from 40.6% in 2006 to 42.6% in 2011 (Dion). Statistics Canada believe the decline was caused by the total population increasing faster than the bilingual population since 2001 (Hopper, Bilingualism). Whether or not this may be the cause, one cannot ignore the fact that among young Anglophones living outside of Quebec, a significant drop of 15.2% in 1996 to 11.2% in 2011 who can speak the country’s official languages. (Dion). A 4 percent decrease is worrisome considering the younger generation will be shaping the future. Additionally, not to mention how little of an impact bilingualism has had in the work place since the Official Languages Act was set in place. In Ontario, in 1969, 98% of workers claimed they mainly used English at work compared to today which is at 97%. (Gunter). The majority of Canadians today believe French is still relevant because it helps define who we are and it is part of our history. However based on the 2011 census, many are not supporting what they are preaching. The government of Canada passed the Official Languages Act in 1969, with the goal of promoting Canada as a diverse and multicultural country that respected both English and French language equally. Based on statistics by the Centre for Research and Information on Canada, 70% of Canadian citizens living outside of Quebec still believe in the importance of preserving the two official languages of Canada. (Parkin). More importantly, 62% of the young generation in today’s society, between the ages of 18-34 living outside of Quebec and who are not Francophone’s, believe it is important for their children to learn French. (Parkin). Although, the federal government has succeeded in providing services in both French and English across Canada, one cannot ignore the fact that after four decades, the number of individual Canadians who consider themselves bilingual has barely changed. In 1961, 12.2% of Canadians were able to hold a conversation in both English and French. ("Bilingualism Canada"). That percentage slowly continued to increase throughout the years and came to a peak in 2001. ("Bilingualism Canada"). Today, based on Statistics Canada, only 17.5% of Canadians are able to speak both of the official languages of Canada compared to 2001, when 17.7% were able to. ("Bilingualism Canada"). The federal government has spent several billion dollars over four decades in the attempt of making Canadians fluent in both English and French with very little success. It is hard not to question the costs and failures of the current language policy as $2.4-billion dollars per year of the taxpayers’ money goes towards the federal and provincial government bilingual services. (Baluja and Bradshaw). After asking Canadians if bilingualism in Canada is a success or a failure, 59% believed it had been a failure compared to 31% who believed it had been a success. (Mazzuca). Since 1969, after spending all the money on the attempt to promote and support the policy of bilingualism across Canada and encourage the general population to learn French, the majority of Canadians believe that bilingualism in our country is a failure. Being or attempting to become bilingual in a country that is generally not bilingual can be a challenge as most of the true bilingual Canadians are mostly located near the New Brunswick - Quebec and Quebec - Ontario borders. With French - English bilingualism in Canada on a decline, it is time the Canadian government revises the Official Languages Act and starts promoting other languages in schools. Canada's official languages should be preserved however being a multiculturalism country, learning to speak two to three languages fluently will not only help in the mental development of individuals but it will also benefit our economy and provide more trading opportunities with other countries. Make no mistake; bilingualism has been a failure as Canada is less bilingual today than it has ever been.