A Case History of Bilingual Telecasting in Canada

Abstract

This paper discusses methods of operation and special problems of TV broadcasting to French-and English-speaking audiences in Canada.IN CANADA, bilingual telecasting is far beyond the wishing stage: it is a daily affair. In 1867, the Fathers of the Confederation decided that two languages would be official in Canada: English and French. Hence, the national broadcasting body, which is responsible to Parliament, simply has to operate accordingly.Canada has a population of 16,500,000 people, of which 5,000,000 are French speaking, mainly in the Province of Quebec. At the beginning of T Vthat is, 5 years agoit was decided that the first stations in Montreal, Ottawa and Quebec City would carry programs both in English and French.