J’y suis, j’y reste: F. R. Scott and the Evolution of Language Rights

The Friends of the Library and the Faculty of Law have the pleasure in presenting the 20th F.R. Scott Lecture

Commissioner of Official Languages Graham Fraser will trace the development of Scott’s thinking about French Canada, and the impact he had on language rights and language legislation.

From early memories of conscription in World War I, to the Depression-era, the October Crisis and the evolution of language rights through Scott’s work with the Royal Commission on Bilingualism and Biculturalism, Mr. Fraser will discuss frankly and openly the opinions, doubts and frustrations, as well as the many important accomplishments of Scott over most of the last century.

Today, with a little distance, it is possible to see now how important Scott’s influence was in fighting for a charter of rights and in defining language as a human right. He saw the Constitution as the vessel that contained the philosophical rules and principles that governed relations between individuals and cultural groups, and their relations with the state. Those relationships are as critical now as they have ever been.

Well-known and respected journalist and author with close to 40 years of journalistic experience, Graham Fraser was appointed as Commissioner of Official Languages in 2006. During a long and distinguished career that has straddled the language divide, Mr. Fraser has reported in both official languages on issues affecting Canada and Canadians, including cultural and foreign policy; constitutional debates and negotiations; and provincial, national and international politics.

RSVP: rsvp.libraries [at] mcgill.ca | 514-398-4681