English speakers in Quebec, French speakers outside Quebec (high schools, university)

[Mouldy Old Schmo]

What is the birth rate among French Canadians? I have read that it is very low now. Quebec may have to rely primarily upon immigration to increase its population.

[Acajack]

Originally Posted by Mouldy Old Schmo

What is the birth rate among French Canadians? I have read that it is very low now. Quebec may have to rely primarily upon immigration to increase its population.

The birth rate in Quebec was one of the lowest in Canada for many years, but recently it has increased quite a bit, to the point where it is now above the Canadian national average:

Births and total fertility rate, by province and territory

Of course, not everyone in Quebec is French Canadian, but since 85% Quebecers are, it still gives you a pretty good idea and indicates that there is an upward swing. It is also noticeable just walking around cities and towns in Quebec. Three and four child families are increasingly common here.

[aliss]

I am pregnant with #2 and have actually been discussing this issue with the midwife (sage-femme ) and other moms.

The rate is rising a fair bit right now. We get very subsidized daycare and the whole daycare culture is encouraging women to have more children, but they still keep their jobs. Quebec is by far the easiest province to be a mother in, IMO.

[Acajack]

I wonder how this compares to ticket takers in the Montréal métro who don't speak English?

Radio-Canada (the French CBC) is reporting that some French-speaking parents in Ontario have been ordered not to speak in French to their own kids during supervised visits (related to child custody cases). One mother claims that the appointed person she was dealing with threatened that her right to see her child again would be taken away if she spoke to the kid in French again!

Not surprisingly (these things rarely are) this has not been covered by any English-language media, but here is the story in French for those who can read it:

Parents francophones forcés de parler anglais | Ontario | Radio-Canada.ca

[darrensmooth]

Originally Posted by Acajack

I wonder how this compares to ticket takers in the Montréal métro who don't speak English?

Radio-Canada (the French CBC) is reporting that some French-speaking parents in Ontario have been ordered not to speak in French to their own kids during supervised visits (related to child custody cases). One mother claims that the appointed person she was dealing with threatened that her right to see her child again would be taken away if she spoke to the kid in French again!

Not surprisingly (these things rarely are) this has not been covered by any English-language media, but here is the story in French for those who can read it:

Parents francophones forcés de parler anglais | Ontario | Radio-Canada.ca

perhaps it happened because the social worker couldn't speak French therefore wanted to know for sure what the parent was saying??

[Acajack]

Originally Posted by darrensmooth

perhaps it happened because the social worker couldn't speak French therefore wanted to know for sure what the parent was saying??

That's exactly it - but as an organization they are supposed to be able to provide that service. In French for sure, and maybe it would be desirable to provide it in other languages as well. Also, the parents have been denied their request to have an interpreter present.

[darrensmooth]

Originally Posted by Acajack

That's exactly it - but as an organization they are supposed to be able to provide that service. In French for sure, and maybe it would be desirable to provide it in other languages as well. Also, the parents have been denied their request to have an interpreter present.

I thought those kind of jobs were supposed to be bi-lingual..I guess not

[Acajack]

Originally Posted by darrensmooth

I thought those kind of jobs were supposed to be bi-lingual..I guess not

Not all of them of course but an organization like that should have at least some capacity in languages other than English - especially French.

[Mouldy Old Schmo]

In addition to pur laine Quebeckers, I am sure there are a dwindling number who trace their ancestry to the rosbifs who settled in Quebec after the Seven Years' War, formed their own settlements, and never needed nor desired to learn French.

[Acajack]

Originally Posted by Mouldy Old Schmo

In addition to pur laine Quebeckers, I am sure there are a dwindling number who trace their ancestry to the rosbifs who settled in Quebec after the Seven Years' War, formed their own settlements, and never needed nor desired to learn French.

Truly (or primarily) "British origin" people in Quebec are probably only something like 3% of the population. The "anglo" (language) community is 5% higher than that, but the rest of the community is made up of people who are of other origins, primarily Italian, Ashkenazi Jewish, Greek, etc. The "anglo" community in Quebec is actually something like 15% French-Canadian in ethnic origin, although that's mostly from the old days, and it is not really a significant modern-day phenomenon.

As for the "French" origin population, it's still around 80-85% I would say. It may be declining in % due to immigration but this is happening very very slowly.