That is an interesting paradox, if I can use that term. People were asked about changes in the amount of English used in Quebec and French used outside Quebec. In Quebec, anglophone adults were asked about changes in the use of English in their communities over the past 10 years. Nearly 30% of anglophones in Quebec indicated that less English was used over the previous 10 years. When they were asked about what the trend would be over the next 10 years, approximately the same percentage of people indicated that the amount of English used would continue to decrease. An interesting paradox is that English use has actually increased in Quebec over the past five years.
Outside Quebec, the situation is different. What is the reason for this? What I am going to say is not based on statistics but on perceptions. When people have a lot of rights, resources, institutions, etc. and a slight reduction in these occurs, people perceive a decrease. But when there are not many institutions and there is a slight increase, people are very positive because they see an improvement.
Many people have said that anglophone communities in Quebec have a certain level of resources, institutions, etc. Regardless of how the situation is changing, you know that allophones basically have no choice but to send their children to French school under Bill 101. How is that obligation perceived by anglophones in Quebec? Obviously, it is seen as a very difficult situation. On the other hand, outside Quebec, if there is an increase, even a small one, in the number of children attending French schools—even if it is far below the level among anglophones in Quebec—it is seen as something positive and people feel some optimism.