Does bilingualism create a more tolerant society?

The short answer: NO. Why do I say that? Just look at our only bilingual city, Moncton, and the number of people who classify themselves as a visible minority*. A measly two per cent. Well below other immigrant friendly metropolitan areas in Canada, not to mention, the lowest amongst the "big three" major urban centers in New Brunswick. A coincidence? I think not. As a NBer that has lived many years in two of the largest urban centers in Ontario, these numbers are reflective of what is truly happening on the ground in New Brunswick, both in policy and with people. Dualistic policies which have left our society both intolerant and in decline.

* Source: Statistics Canada

It all comes down to talent, technology and tolerance

Anyway, if you're tired of the crusty [three century old] french/english debate that has been (and still is) raging on in New Brunswick, then here's a piece I wrote on the subject of immigration some time ago:

I agree with Justin Trudeau, there no question we need to push past our “thirty year old” dualistic approach wherein we move to a more multicultural, tolerant model. Our resources are scarce in this province and investing too much in old failed policies has left our province [and region] in the global dust.

It is common knowledge that in the next five years, immigration will account for 100% of net labour force growth in Canada. And furthermore, province’s that have a larger number of people born within, for example the province of Newfoundland, tend to have weaker economies as opposed to those stronger ecomomies who rely more heavily on an outside influx of immigrants. [i.e. Toronto, Calgary, and Ottawa]

So there is no question that New Brunswick, whose french and english populations are dwindling [death rates outnumber their bithrates] need to change the way they view themselves and their society so that our region can become a more fertile place for immigrants to live, work and pay taxes. In other words, old dualistic policy approaches which maintain the status quo and [keep our society insular] are no longer viable in a global economy anchored by a knowledged based economy [KBE]. We must find a way to convince the people and the powers that be that we need a policy overhaul in order to move ahead in a global society. In other words, we must follow the “3 Ts” recommended by economist Tom Corchene whereby he said:

"The regions who come out on top will be those who fare best in terms of Technolgy (as measured by innovation and high-tech industry concentration), Talent (as measured by the number of people in creative occupations) and Tolerance (as measured by the amenities afforded and opportunities available for every possible lifestyle). Cities and regions that score well, especially with respect to the tolerance index, will become places where the creative class will cluster."

I can't stess this more. And it is a huge reason why I support [Corchene's] notion, in that, I believe we are wasting our time with old policies that have left our society insular and in decline. In other words, we will either ride the momentum of the global wave or sit idly by and watch it crash over our heads. We have a choice.

For the record, I have nothing against learning another language. I am bilingual myself. However, when the focus (of policy) leaves your society with entrenched insular attitudes and stunted social and economic progress, isn't it time you questioned that policy to its core?

In other news, I see the CBC is as hypocritical as ever - in the Ottawa area, at least. Not that it is a scientific study per se, but I would have put Victor Boudreau's green report (tax competitiveness) on this list.