Canadians are to be forgiven if they are confused about what language is appropriate in public institutions.
On the one hand, the F-bomb is OK in French-language broadcasts, according to the Canadian Broadcast Standards Council, which ruled that a Quebec music radio station didn’t violate rules by airing clips of celebrities using the word as part of public speeches because the word doesn’t mean as much in French.
On the other, B.C. parliamentarians are being told not to use insulting language to each other, raising hue and cry among the media and BC Liberal MLAs who were apparently taunted by insulting nicknames, such as “minister of job loss” or “minister of intimidation,” when they were in power and want the same privilege now they are in opposition.
But in this day and age, these questions of language aren’t really that confusing. The government, which serves the people, should be held to a much higher standard than a music radio station.
It’s time that ministers of the Crown and members of the opposition elevated their language. We’re not paying them to act like unschooled toddlers on the playground.
