The identitarian tensions between the Anglophone and the Francophone population in Canada, especially in the region of Québec, are well-known worldwide. As a consequence of the recent nationalistic trends in the territory, some groups, such as the political parties governing in Québec, use political and social means to protect French, a minority language in Canada. Their aim is to increase the utility and prestige of French and, ultimately, avoid the disappearance of this language in North America. ...
The identitarian tensions between the Anglophone and the Francophone population in Canada, especially in the region of Québec, are well-known worldwide. As a consequence of the recent nationalistic trends in the territory, some groups, such as the political parties governing in Québec, use political and social means to protect French, a minority language in Canada. Their aim is to increase the utility and prestige of French and, ultimately, avoid the disappearance of this language in North America. However, while doing so, certain inequalities may appear in regard to the Anglophone population in the region. This dissertation intends to analyse if the linguistic policies implemented by the government of Québec lead to the deterioration of target 10.3 of the Sustainable Development Goals of the United Nations, that is, “Ensure equal opportunities and end discrimination”. In order to give a response to this question, an examination of raw statistical data from national and regional statistical agencies and an analysis of the existing literature on the topic will be made. Although there is a rich literature on the topic, no agreement has been reached about its possible triggering of inequalities or its alleged necessary nature to protect a minority language in the country. Hence, from its analysis this paper has revealed two main observations: (1) that language policies in Québec are indeed necessary for the preservation of French in the region; and (2) that the distinct access to some services cannot be translated into inequalities, taking into consideration the concept of affirmative action.
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