I would just like to add something, and I am speaking solely for me.
There's a thought I often have. I long for the day when people across the country can speak both official languages, as well as other languages. I often tell my students that we're living in a transitional period in our history and that it takes a long time for a language to be learned and for that transition to really happen. I am, however, impatient.
Come on, guys, giddy-up.
But I think it's also important to emphasize the value of people's knowledge, whether those people are unilingual or bilingual. Sometimes that means building bridges. For example, I work with francophones who speak only French. If they want access to French-language services, there has to be at least one bilingual person there who can help them. That doesn't mean everyone in the office has to be able to speak French to deliver the service, but that support would at least help with the historical transition towards a more bilingual society.
Coming up with solutions is key. If the goal is to deliver services in French and English, then we have to figure out what we need to do to get there. Does everyone have to speak French? That may not be realistic given the resources that would take. But can we hire someone who is fluent in both official languages?
For sure.
Absolutely, because that would help bring about the transition. We would become a bilingual society, one that does what it can given the situation and the resources available. In turn, that may do more to motivate others to learn French, an effort that would highlight the importance of both languages, depending on the situation.