When was the last time you heard someone order a “bifteck”. It’s always, “un steak medium saignant” everyplace I go and when the dinner is over it’s “Bon weekend” and everybody goes their way. This is the Quebec that makes me smile.

A friend related a story of a trip to Paris during which he asked for “des roties” with breakfast. The waiter looked at him confused and then it dawned on him. With a broad smile he said,” Aaaaaaah monsieur, tu veut du toast?”

If we’re going to preserve a culture in Quebec, shouldn’t it be the one that was created by the melting pot of all the different nationalities that have made this province over the past 400 years? It just seems that the government wants to change 400 years of history and deny that the Italians and Greeks, the Irish, the Scots, the Brits and everyone else had anything to do with the province. It’s shameful. Someone once said that denying history dooms you to repeat it and maybe that’s why this debate keeps haunting Anglophones, Allophones AND Francophones alike for the last several decades.

And while we’re at it, shouldn’t it be “Bureau de la langue francais” as opposed to “Office”? ……….only saying!!!

Cheers and buon appetito!