J
james
Guest
Actually, the Scots were probably the largest "english-speaking" population in Montreal during the 19th century.
The Scots english speaking.
Actually, the Scots were probably the largest "english-speaking" population in Montreal during the 19th century.
The trouble is that we have heard so many bad reports from people, many of them Canadians we have spoken to on holiday about Montreal. Is it true that they simply will not speak English to tourists? Sounds crazy but we have heard that this is true.
The Scots english speaking.[/COLOR]
If I ever have a family in Canada, I'm raising them in Montreal--possibly the most sophisticated, cultured city in North America where most intelligent people are bi, if not tri-lingual! Montreal rocks so much you may find yourself avoiding Toronto altogether!
I agree with urbandreamer that a lot of English Canadians have a weird resentment towards Quebec. But I don't find that to be the attitude in Toronto at all. Having lived all over Ontario, I've found Torontonians to be a lot more cultured and open minded than people in the smaller towns. It's the same everywhere I think, more cultured people tend to gravitate towards the cities.
Anyway don't shy away from Montreal because of the language barrier, or even rural Quebec, which is really interesting and has a different feel from Ontario or the western provinces.
That said, I wouldn't want to be looking for a job in Montreal as a unilingual Anglo, as I suspect the opportunities would be quite limited.
I agree with urbandreamer that a lot of English Canadians have a weird resentment towards Quebec. But I don't find that to be the attitude in Toronto at all. Having lived all over Ontario, I've found Torontonians to be a lot more cultured and open minded than people in the smaller towns. It's the same everywhere I think, more cultured people tend to gravitate towards the cities.
Anyway don't shy away from Montreal because of the language barrier, or even rural Quebec, which is really interesting and has a different feel from Ontario or the western provinces.
not true at all. Montreal is very bilingual, and unless you venture into the predominantly francophone east end, pretty much everyone you meet will speak english readily. Quebec City is more francophone, but it'll be no different than travelling in France.
I think the anti-Quebec sentiment is mainly reactionary to some of Quebec's greater excesses, such as discriminating against the English language in a supposedly bilingual state, having a vastly disproportionate level of influence and federal government funding, etc.