I am going to try to illustrate the difference between theory and practice. We have impressive programs, but what is really going on?
Last night, I attended a dinner put on by the Forum for Young Canadians. It was part of an event where young people from every province come to Ottawa for a week. I was at a table with some young Quebeckers. They said that 90% of the week's activities had been held in English. Participants from Montreal spoke more English. But the young person from my riding told me her English wasn't great and she found it difficult. She wasn't able to take full advantage of all the activities.
So we have something of a contradiction. We create programs like Forum for Young Canadians and they look great on paper and in reports, but they aren't actually doing what they're supposed to.
When it comes to young people, are we really doing enough to promote the benefits of speaking both official languages? The young people I had dinner with yesterday didn't seem to think so.
In other words, is the program subject to any follow-up or verification? Speeches are supposed to be given in both languages, but the workshops held throughout the week were in English only.