The other Canadians

Our whistle stop visit to Montreal and through other French speaking areas was interesting (NB : French is the first language of one third of the Canadian population). The city is, as the brochures say, vibrant and multi-cultural, bustling with students and office workers from all over the world. It continues to work and enjoy itself through the long winter thanks to a network of underground malls (over 20 miles !). It seemed much more fun than staid (but pleasant) English speaking Ottawa.

The French feel very affectionately about their 'cousins' for several reasons. First of all they speak an old style type of French, with a strong even incomprehensible accent, but which cleverly avoids using English imported words. At the same time, they are all perfectly fluent in English, whereas very few of the native English speakers in Canada understand any French at all, even if they should do by law.

Secondly they had a hard time historically, losing battles and territory almost by a whisker, and were subsequently often exploited in mills or farms.

Thirdly, they have big families and a great tradition for singing (Celine Dion for a start!).

Anyway Montreal is getting its own back as is Gatineau, the working town which spoiled the view across the river from imposing Victorian Ottawa. It's now home to parks as well as the wonderful Museum of (Canadian) Civilization, or Civilizations, as the French name calls it...