Skip navigation

 Login or Register | Member Centre

Language faux pas mar Vimy preparations

GLORIA GALLOWAY

From Friday's Globe and Mail

Latest comment posted at 6:30 AM EDT 06/04/07

French grammar and spelling errors on plaques need correcting; Ottawa also scrambles over lunch money for students ...Read the full article

This conversation is closed

  1. Vern McPherson from Toronto, Canada writes: “I am anything but impressed with the French grammar and the French syntax and the like on the [visitor's centre at the] monument,” said Col. Drapeau.

    “We come across as amateurs. And veterans, including myself, will see that as a bit of a slap in the face, an absence of care, an absence of attention. And, in a country like Canada with two languages that are official, there is absolutely no reason for it. The excuse that we have left this to volunteers simply doesn't wash. It just doesn't cut it with me.”

    -------------------------------------------

    Too cheap to do it right. Too stupid to know the difference. Not thought out. True hallmarks of COns governence.
  2. Jean-Marin Basley from Montreal, writes: Unbelievable.. What kind of research unearthed these particular translators to french.. in France?
  3. James Clost from chaozhou, guangdong, China writes: not sure why these plaques werent proofread by a professional translator before being sent to france and installed at the memorial. some of those mistakes dont look too serious, i was expecting to see some totally incomprehensible french when i first heard of this story. doesnt seem to be the case.

    at any rate, the problem with the plaques is being fixed and the new ones will be in place by monday. lesson learned.

    as for colonel drapeau, the only time that man ever surfaces is to whine about something related to the government and or the military. i'm glad i never had to deal with him when i worked at national defence headquarters.... he is a first class d***head in my opinion.
  4. rita speedie from toronto, Canada writes: The first thought I had, while reading this article was, 'Could it be that this was done deliberately?' If so, they didn't just embarrass our government, but also our veterans affairs department. Shame. I hope we find out the truth.
  5. John W. David from Canada writes: Vern McPherson from Toronto, Canada writes: Too cheap to do it right. Too stupid to know the difference. Not thought out. True hallmarks of COns governence.

    Vern, they're fixing it, probably in time for the ceremony on Monday.

    Had we been under a liberal government, the changes would circulate the halls of parliament until the monument's next refurbishing, and cost a hundred times as much.

    Did you even bother to read the article? Or are you still feeling the effect of being dropped as a child. Let me guess, you're a liberal, it figures, 'nuff said.
  6. John Stanton from Canada writes: ' NDP MP Yvon Godin said he will lodge a complaint with the Office of the Commissioner of Official Languages to make sure this type of mistake does not occur in the future. Mr. Godin does not blame the volunteers. '

    Just what this or any other situation needs Mr. Godin, more rules, regulations and bureaucrats involved. The mistakes may have been a faux pas, but they have been identified and are being corrected. Is it possible to make a bigger deal over some relatively minor errors by well-meaning volunteers? I realize that Parliament is on Easter Break, but surely there is something more newsworthy to grip the outrage of the nation.
  7. John W. David from Canada writes: John Stanton from Canada writes: ' NDP MP Yvon Godin said he will lodge a complaint with the Office of the Commissioner of Official Languages to make sure this type of mistake does not occur in the future.

    Boredom on the back-benches I suppose. And it makes for great talk at the Timmies in Khandahar. Go Jack Go.
  8. le ds from Belgium writes: To be honest the French will figure that things like 'explosives' are just Quebecois words.
  9. Lawrence Hutchinson from Houston, United States writes: Vern McPherson: uh...that's governance (not governence): too cheap to buy a dictionary?
  10. John W. David from Canada writes: Lawrence Hutchinson from Houston, United States writes: Vern McPherson: uh...that's governance (not governence): too cheap to buy a dictionary?

    Thanks Lawrence, I missed that obvious boo-boo, and I should have corrected him in the original post, or subsequent follow up. It's early, my bad.
  11. R. Carriere from Maritimes, Canada writes:

    Good Morning all:

    Oh Gloria...there you go again...

    1) Nowhere in the story does it state 'When' these plaques were made.

    2) ' explaining why students who attend the battle's 90th anniversary ceremonies must buy their own lunch.'

    A between the lines attack on PM Harper-you're quite the number! This is only another result of a socialist population brainwashed in believing and expecting that government owes them a 'Free Lunch.' Pathetic! The result of socialist policies that have plagued this country for 40 years since you know who! Even to the point of expecting government and the state 'to care' for their children right after birth without planning and taking their own responsibilities.

    3) NDP MP Yvon Godin said he will lodge a complaint with the Office of the Commissioner of Official Languages..

    Mr. Godin, while you're at it, can you also file a complaint as to why Canada is officially bilingual, yet anglophoes/allophones in Quebec have lost their constitutional right to carry on business or even post advertising in any other language but for dominant French on signs and only after court fights and law after law?

    What hypocracy and double-standards!
  12. Chris Lalonde from Singapore writes: Instead of complaining, thank the volunteers! They're not professional organizers. Ok, it's a serious mistake to wrongly translate the plaque in French. But it can be fixed soon. As for lunch money for the students, I'm sure someone will kick in the money. Worse comes to worse the parents will pay a few more dollars. So what! Get a life and move on!!!! As for Colonel Michel Drapeau, he should either help or just shut up!
  13. John W. David from Canada writes: R. Carriere from Maritimes, Canada writes: What hypocracy and double-standards!

    **********Perfect**************
  14. For a Better Canada from Ontario, Canada writes: The Minister should be fired. We do not need justifications to explain incompetence. With citizen like John Stanton, we can explain why Canada will always be behind other countries. We are for a Better Canada without Quebec, but, at the international level, we should be able to show our 'savoir faire' and education, even in the French language. No more tolerance for stupidities.
  15. janfromthe bruce from Canada writes: Lawrence a dictionary would not have necessarily helped, as much as proofreading by a professional translator. I am sure that with all the money being poured into a sham ombusman position and the war-making machine the govt could have scared up a few bucks for an honorarium for translation and proofreading.

    Ditto for student lunches. Aren't young people our most cherished resource of tomorrow?
  16. John W. David from Canada writes: For a Better Canada from Ontario, Canada writes: No more tolerance for stupidities.

    That's correct For a Better Canada, and we will be electing the PC's in a majority to fix the previous liberal mistakes. You are most wise.
  17. Vern McPherson from Toronto, Canada writes: John W. David from Canada writes: Lawrence Hutchinson from Houston, United States writes: Vern McPherson: uh...that's governance (not governence): too cheap to buy a dictionary? Thanks Lawrence, I missed that obvious boo-boo, and I should have corrected him in the original post, or subsequent follow up. It's early, my bad. ------------------------------------ What's all this correct spelling bullsh.. ? This forum isn't a Vimy Ridge Memorial is it ? I mean, .... produced by the 'new'' Governemnt of Canada where the spelling/syntax/verb conjugation/content ought to be flawless at least because it commerates one of the greatest events in Canada's short history up to that point and recognizes plus advertises Canada as an officially bi-lingual nation ? Is this forum something like the memorial the 'new' government screwed up because they are too cheap and too careless with the truth to get it right in the first place ? My spelling mistakes are of no import here except to those posters who have nothing else to say. You COns are too busy at your little seminars learning kaka and how to spin it as fertilizer. COns teachers should take their own lessons seriously and learn the basics of telling the truth for starters. That would be helpful although it would never be reassuring.
  18. John W. David from Canada writes: Remember to breathe as you gaze downward Vern, relax, it's Friday. The ceremony is Monday, the PC's will have fixed things by then, everythings fine. Breathe. Relax. Fine. PC's Fine. Liberals & NDP not fine. Breathe.....
  19. Anthony B from Sydney, NS, Canada writes: 'But Mr. Thompson said Thursday that no such offer had been made and the students would have to pick up their own lunch tab'

    I guess they're not old enough to vote.
  20. Steve Martin from Canada writes: The students’ lunch is not an issue. I heard an interview yesterday morning with the teacher who organized the trip. He said there were discussions with the government 2 and a half years ago, but since there was no commitment he went ahead and raised the money himself. It was MP David McGuinty who took an e-mail out of context and went to the media to score political points.
  21. Peter Barnes from Canada writes: I have to wonder if Harper and his staff will be responsible to buy their own lunches.
    Fortunately for them they have an unlimited expense account , something that very few public school children have.
  22. Common Sense from Canada writes: Vern McPherson from Toronto, Canada writes: here regularily and with the same usual Lib whiny bent. Spelling mistakes are just mistakes except for people like Vern who rise every morning looking for an angle to spin and blame Harper for everything and anything.

    Galloway actually gets paid to do it. Vern does it for free.

    The mistakes on the plaques and Vern's spelling mistake both demonstrate the same thing about their authors....illiterate, or is it illiteracy,no wait , CONS are bad yes... let's just write that again....and tomorrow too. Yes blame Harper, tell people I am thinking for myself and blame Harper.

    Hurry up Vern and get back to work, the drive thru is backing up!
  23. R M from Canada writes: Must have been an Alberta Conservative that did the translation. Now, was it accidental, or deliberate?
  24. John W. David from Canada writes: Common Sense from Canada writes: Spelling mistakes are just mistakes except for people like Vern who rise every morning looking for an angle to spin and blame Harper for everything and anything.

    Galloway actually gets paid to do it. Vern does it for free.

    Notice Vern, how the truth sets you free? Breathe, relax, navel-gaze.....
  25. R M from Canada writes: John David - the great thing for Vern is that it is so easy to do and pretty well anything and everything that goes wrong IS Steve Harper's fault and he deserves the blame. Unfortunately, in Steve's mind, it is never his fault and he is looking for someone else to blame.
  26. Henriette Heroux from Your country needs you Land, Canada writes: Gloare grand betail Vimi! Youre pais ave need de you. Fou comprendrez, estce pas? O ravoir en Avgannistan! Nous aimaez boucou fous.
  27. Clem Brown from Metcalfe, On., Canada writes: Let's not let the facts get in the way of a misleading story. The 'e-mail' referred to was sent by the original organizer of the students trip to Vimy. It stated that originally (when the Liberals were in power) the government had looked at providing a lunch for the students at the ceremony but had decided it would cost too much. The 'e-mail' went on to say that the organizer had secured funding for the lunches and that they would be provided. It was the Liberal government that cheaped out and a volunteer teacher that saved the day. This crock of B.S. was spread by an Ottawa M.P. that is too stupid to realize it was his own government that nixed the free lunch. Apparently only 'entitled' thieving corrupt Liberals were to receive a free lunch under their regime. David McGuinty should be ashamed.
  28. Common Sense from Canada writes: Peter Barnes from Canada writes: Your so right Peter very good point. We should not allow our PM or government ministers working on behalf of the country to get lunch, in fact they should pay for everything they do while working out of their own pocket!!! It's just so not Canadian because everyone is entitled to a free lunch. Why stop there though, why not just fly every single public school child in Canada over to France for the ceremony? I bet we fly Government people over on our tab, do you think they get frequent flyer miles? School children need Frequent flyer miles too! I hope Ms. Galloway does an in depth expose on frequent flyer miles now that she has invented a story and tried to stir up controversy over who pays for lunch! Amazing she sucks so many people in..eh Peter?
  29. John W. David from Canada writes: R M from Canada writes: John David - the great thing for Vern is that it is so easy to do and pretty well anything and everything that goes wrong IS Steve Harper's fault and he deserves the blame. Unfortunately, in Steve's mind, it is never his fault and he is looking for someone else to blame.

    Spoken like a possible believer. But I know for a fact that even Steve makes mistakes from time to time. That's why he updated his wardrobe a few years ago.... ;)
  30. Common Sense from Canada writes: Clem Brown from Metcalfe, On., Canada writes:This crock of B.S. was spread by an Ottawa M.P. that is too stupid to realize it was his own government that nixed the free lunch.
    Only a McGuinty could shoot off at the mouth about breakin promises.

    The family has a documented, recorded, video-taped and self admitted history of being liars in Ontario.
  31. John W. David from Canada writes: Common Sense from Canada writes: I hope Ms. Galloway does an in depth expose on frequent flyer miles now that she has invented a story and tried to stir up controversy over who pays for lunch!

    Sounds like the basis for a dandy new thriller Canadian style. Does it include our allowing alleged Chinese criminals to remain in our country for 7 years while they fight extradition. Or is that the second great Canadian novel?
  32. R M from Canada writes: You and the world know that Steve makes mistakes ALL the time - everyone but Steve knows. I wouldn't give Steve credit for the update in wardrobe - it is likely either his mother, or his media handlers from the PMO that dresses him in the mornings before he goes out to play.
  33. www.moneyinyourpocket.blogspot .com from at large, Canada writes: Despite paying there own way to France...these kids 3,600 kids are now learning that there is no such thing as a Free Lunch. I guess another $10 bucks out of their pockets won't hurt them but...think of the lost votes.
    Always great to see how the Gov't treats people who do a volunteer service for them.
  34. John W. David from Canada writes: R M from Canada writes: I wouldn't give Steve credit for the update in wardrobe - it is likely either his mother, or his media handlers from the PMO that dresses him in the mornings before he goes out to play.

    ;)
  35. Diogenes the Cynic from Greece writes: Venn Frainch inne rite iou, vy? vvy? donout Freiainch konsoult pipelle ou no ze langue? Iou konsaidre ivain mitte pairsonne fraum naitionne Kaibekk zo azz tich iou ze Freinche. Izzi, izzzi vairy zunzerztand zou no? Vee laouve all zou pipelle. Chirio iamme ovv Avgannistanne tou!
  36. Popeye Dillon from North Vancouver, Canada writes: We are commemorating a famous battle that gave our country and our allies a major victory in what was probably the worst war in history. Are we and the G&M that petty that a few oversights occurred that can be easily corrected? Why should this be the lead on this story. In 1917 after the battle was anyone gravely concerned over some grammatical errors and free lunch? Of course not. Vimy was a horrible crossroads for the allies. It gave them something very unusual to them at that time in the war' A clear victory!' A small army from a small country achieved the 'Largest' victory of the war. Lets remember that first and foremost and leave the pettyness to those who are petty shall we.
  37. Carey K from Canada writes: I guess they must have recruited some volunteers from the Alberta home office to do the translation.

    It doesn't surprise me that they don't want to srping for the $30,000 lunch. High school students generally don't vote so they can't help Our Gloriuos Leader attain his majority. Cheap, cheap, cheap.
  38. R. Carriere from Canada writes:

    Popeye Dillon from North Vancouver: Great Post!
  39. Dark Green from Cuba writes: And those geniuses dare be finicky when they hear Mr. Dion speak English!
  40. R M from Canada writes: Yeah, Carey, but there is likely a better chance of buying votes from the teenagers for a $10 lunch than there was for $2.9 billion for Quebec.
  41. R M from Canada writes: Lisa - said like a true Conservative speaking in favour of Canadian unity. Thank you for enlightening us all on this issue.
  42. Satori Zen from Respect Cubicle, The Nation, Canada writes: Dear, very dear Mr Harper, I can't wait to votte for you and your Thompson lotte! Yourz evver!
  43. Lisa Jones of the Celtic nation within a nation from Canada writes: By the way, I understand the translation was done decades ago by generous British volunteers. Funny how the Globe and all the Canadian media is neglecting to tell anyone about that.
  44. Mike Bellows from Canada writes: At the risk of being chastised , dare I say that I agree with the Minister and a mistake was made so fix it and move on. It's hard to get angry over spelling mistakes and something tells me that if there was spelling mistake on an English sign the article would not have been written. Neither am I a neo/con/blah/blah . I'm not going to be a Pavlov's dog for some Globe writer on this beautiful holiday morning.
  45. tao chi from China writes: Puis-je vous aider? Why not have consulted the gardener in attendance?
  46. Lisa Jones of the Celtic nation within a nation from Canada writes: RM.... do you have any idea how much money Ontarians pay into the federation each year? About half, around 100 billion dollars. And do you have any idea how much of that money is slid over to Quebec to pay for its outrageous social programs? How about that nearly free day care in Quebec? How about free dental care for all kids under 10? How about the apparent over $200 their seniors get than the ROC?...AND SO MUCH MORE. I recall tax grants so that every Quebecer could own a computer, and another program that allowed every Quebecer to renovate their home to the tune of about $5,000 in grants....just so those tourists would see nice houses in Quebec. You have no idea RM...but YOUR money is being slid over to Quebec to make sure that they have a better life than your own kids...and yet you call me divisionist? Anyone who still thinks what is going on in Canada is fair is an outright fool. And then in walks Harper, the economist, along with Flaherty, supposedly an Ontario MP, but who is really born AND raised in Quebec, and also an economist, who along with a group of economists from the beauracy, decided to use even more of Ontario's hard earned tax dollars to buy votes in Quebec by sliding over to them billions more of your hard earned tax dollars. Not one accountant was involved or consulted in calculating the equalization formula......I am involved with a group of people who want to create an ONTARIO FEDERAL PARTY modelled after the Bloc Quebec, but it is an uphill battle.
  47. Carey K from Canada writes: Lisa -- you only have to press the submit button once.
  48. guy olivier from Orlando, United States writes: Can everyone get over the misspelled words and whose fault it is and what does Harper have to do with it and all... they're fixing the screw-up and just admire the sculptures, it's a beautiful memorial.
  49. Leon Russell from Gatineau, Qc, Canada writes: Lisa Jones, where did you get that British volunteers did it decades ago? (OK, I know, I said that in the other forum, and that's what Radio-Canada was saying all day yesterday. However, the latest report says they were Canadian volunteers. British and Canadian are apparently not mutually exclusive though, and it could be Canadian war buffs of British extraction who thought they knew enough French to get away with it. The mistakes are those of someone not writing in their first language.)
  50. jc pomerleau from montreal, Canada writes:
    I was visiting COURSEULLES-SUR-MER for the D Day 60 th anniversary.I have tour the place bought flower wrap with a Maple Leaf and went to the Beny sur Mer, the cemetery of Le Regiment la Chaudière and put the flower to the monument there. I also visit the canadian museum where alls artefacts related to canadian army belong to a private french collectionneur (that I met). During all the visit I was with my son (11 years) dressed in a cadet uniform (Maisonneuve) peoples would react to it and I felt a very moving experience. This was not a time for a joke or an 'impaire'. The europeans are very serious about there monument of history and Canada as won a deer reputation there, so the one whom point out the mistake of spelling before the Vimy s celebration just save Canada from a deep embarrassment. This story show that although canadians are proud of there military history it seam that their Government does nt seam to care as much ecxept for the rethoric. By the way this incident should nt be an occasion for the canadian nationalist to make another day of rally against the French people. Let the French think that canadians are the one show at Courseulles and Beny sur Mer, they deserve respect from all.
  51. Gerry Pankhurst from Westport, Canada writes: Much ado about nothing but I must say I am a little surprised at the amount of attention paid to Vern McPherson. His lop sided views regularly exceed being moronic and his admitting he doesn't 'give a crap' about spelling says a lot about him. He's not too swift in the matter of grammer either. He is simply a foul mouthed, opinionated walking endorsement for birth control. Be happy about the fact he only appears here. Imagine the horror of knowing him personally or, worse still, having him as a neighbour.
  52. Paul Byer from ENNISMORE, Canada writes: Get serious. There were spelling mistakes on a plaque made by volunteers that are getting fixed, and there are commenters wanting to hang the best Prime Minister this country has seen in decades? If you want to really discuss a total embarassment to this country, you may want to look at the liberal idol who rode around Quebec on a motorcycle, wearing a Nazi helmet in protest of the other great war, while tens of thousands of Canadians were dying in defence of his mother country, France. That same idol, whose own heros were the Russian, Chinese and Cuban communist dictators and whose disciples went on to create the greatest corrupt government in Canada's history. Now, that is worthy of disgust. Now, that is embarassing.
  53. R M from Canada writes: Lisa - you wouldn't feel like that YOU paid for the $700 million tax cut for Quebec, would you?
  54. Robert Rose from THE NATION, Canada writes: Lisa Jones : This story is a total NON EVENT. The only reason it's probably coming to anyone's attention now is because for the past 70 or so years NO French Canadians, especially members of the proud Quebecois nation every bothered to visit the memorial because MOST of them refused to fight in the war, either WW1 or WW2. -- Your post is an insult!!! My father, my uncle and my wife grandfather all fought in WWII and WWI. Even if only one French Canadian had fought, your post, and such lack of respect for our language (after all those years) would be insulting. Don't bother to apologize. What you write is below contempt.
  55. Etienne Forest from Japan writes: I apologize for repeating myself, but why do so many people here mix this story with official bilingualism, bill 101 or Quebec or anything internal to Canada? France is a foreign country. Their language is French. We place a memorial there which also is addressed to the people of France. So if we make a display using their own language, a country like Canada ought to be able to hire a decent translator. Some of the errors on these panels would be picked up by a one semester French language student. The speller in MS-word would pick them up.

    Whether or not English speaking people in Quebec are going to the gas chamber or to the gallows, what does it have to do with France and the other countries whose citizens are visiting this memorial? Nothing.
  56. R M from Canada writes: Paul - not as embarassing as our pudgy little fat-fingered Stevie that was dressed by the PMO before he went out to play standing up at a microphone trying to represent Canada. We must remember that it was Trudeau that made Canada an independent nation by repatriating the constitution and brought us protection from the tyranny of the neo-Conservatives by giving us fundamental protections in the form of the Charter. Vivre le Canada libre!
  57. Lisa Jones of the Celtic nation within a nation from Canada writes: Robert Rose: Conscription facts which none of you can dispute:
    In Quebec a united front campaigned for a 'no' vote arguing that the no-conscription pledge had been made to Quebec, so only Quebec could revoke it—in essence, asserting Quebec's right to self-determination.

    Result: 72% of Quebec voters, and about 85% of Francophones voted no.

    Elsewhere in Canada a significant minority, 20%, voted 'no.'

    That's 85 percent Quebecers opposed to fighting in the terrible war.... 85 PERCENT
  58. Satya Kama from India writes: No class, no style, no self-respect.
  59. Carey K from Canada writes: R M from Canada writes: Yeah, Carey, but there is likely a better chance of buying votes from the teenagers for a $10 lunch than there was for $2.9 billion for Quebec.

    I totally agree -- 'Penny wise, pound foolish.'
  60. K. H. from Quebec, Canada writes: Well, there's at least one veteran who doesn't think this is a trivial affair. Oh, he has a French name, so that doesn't count. But if you're going to commemorate something, why not do it right?
  61. Leon Russell from Gatineau, Qc, Canada writes: R M from Canada, that 700 M$ tax cut for Quebec will not likely go through now that Charest is in a minority gov't. It will likely go into some bottomless sinkhole like health care for people who can't take responsibility for their own health and show up at Emergency as soon as they have a tickle in their throat. (Sorry to be off-topic.)
  62. R M from Canada writes: Leon - I am sure that Steve will find a way to send over another $700 million or $2.9 billion or whatever it takes to ensure that they get the votes, er, the tax cut anyway.
  63. André Villeneuve from Canada writes: After makinf such a fuss over Vimy, Harper and his government leaves to amateurs the responsibilty to translates the important text to be inscribed on the memorial. This memorial is the equivalent of an official communication from the government of Canada if not representing more and no excuse should be good enough. To task amateurs to do this important function, shows without a doubt that Harper and his people care only about thr photo op and that they superficial in all they do.
    What a shame...
  64. Lisa Jones of the Celtic nation within a nation from Canada writes: Do you need more facts, In WW1: 'Of the 400,000 Canadians who volunteered for service in WWI, fewer than one in 20 were French.' Yes, FEWER THAN TWENTY VOLUNTEERS IN WW1 WERE FRENCH CANADIAN.....Here's more:..........By 1917 - after almost three years of fighting - the numbers of dead and wounded mounted overseas. In addition, voluntary enlistment by Canadians dropped drastically as jobs became plentiful at home. On May 18, 1917, Prime Minister Borden retreated from his earlier promise and introduced a conscription bill, the Military Services Act. While some English Canadians opposed conscription, nowhere was the outcry greater than in French Canada. The archbishop of Montreal, Monseigneur Bruchési sent a warning to Prime Minister Borden. 'Dear Sir Robert, Do you not think, in light of our population, that we have largely done our share? The people are agitated. ... In the province of Quebec; we can expect deplorable revolts. Will this not end in bloodshed?' Wilfrid Laurier, now Leader of the Opposition, was also convinced that conscription would tear the country apart. 'Is it not true that the main reason advocated for conscription - not so much publicly as privately, not shouted but whispered - is that Quebec must be made to do her part, and French-Canadians forced to enlist compulsorily since they did not enlist voluntarily?'
  65. Etienne Forest from Japan writes: Leon Russell: whenever French or Quebec comes into the discussion, the off-topic ranting starts immediately. Personally, I just cannot imagine, as a moderately educated person, what kind of moron, even with good intentions, would go ahead and translate the English text which such a poor command of French. Neither my French nor my English is good enough to adorn a place as sacred as Vimy. I would submit my text to a professional although my command of both languages is vastly superior to the cornichon who did these panels.

    It is really a desecration on par with the idiots who urinated on the memorial in Ottawa. Drunkenness in one case, imbecility and arrogance in the other.
  66. Har Har from Canada writes: It was obviously some anglophone volunteer who thought they could speak French, and couldn't who messed this up.

    Goes to show that they didn't take what they were doing seriously when they didn't bother to verify their work with someone.
  67. Job Patstone from Quebec, Canada writes: To Lisa, you seem to be a bit of a hot head, which would make you perfect to form a political party similar to the 'Bloc Quebecois' who are also all hot heads. One of the great arguments that the Quebecois have against Canada is exactly the fact that so many of them were sent to the front in France, and so many of them died, in comparison to the english soldiers, with all do respect to them all. It is normal that the translation be correct and corrected ASAP.
    I do have a question regarding a monument in Ottawa, of which I question the English grammar. The monument to women at the left of the Parliament Building, says, 'Women are Persons.'
    Should that not read 'Women are People' as the plural of person is people, especially when including a group of 'persons' as being part of a community. Check 'Webters.'
  68. R M from Canada writes: Lisa - how many Quebeckers are fighting in Afghanistan?
  69. Har Har from Canada writes: Lisa Jones: WW1 was hardly a noble cause, from what I hear. It had more to do with greedy European land grabs than anything else. WW2 was a completely different affair, where the entire world was threatened by Nazis. Don't confuse the two.
  70. Robert Pike from Kitchener, Canada writes: Just as the plaques weren't done right so is this article. I found myself asking question after question that were not answered in the article. I also find it a bit unprofessional to be slamming down entire blame on the 'volunteers' for translating into french too. If the government wasnt so cheap and irresponsible in the first place this might not have happened. Another issue I find is how worried we are about a monument and how 'we come across' to the world. So? My understaning of how the veterans have been treated since the war(s) so be top priority but I bet the rush to help them out is more back burner than this issue. Even the soldiers and their families today, suffering from psychological issues and such, are being ignored. Humanity first. Screw what the rest of the world 'might' think.
  71. Carey K from Canada writes: Etienne Forest from Japan writes: ...Personally, I just cannot imagine, as a moderately educated person, what kind of moron, even with good intentions, would go ahead and translate the English text which such a poor command of French.

    I totally agree -- if this had been a problem of translating from French to English and if the Liberals were the government, every kook from Alberta would be talking about shutting off the oil and building the Alberta/Harper firewall.
  72. Ryan Ginger from Ottawa, Canada writes: Has everyone gone completely mad? Much of this discussion is, as Robert Rose pointed out, 'below contempt'.

    Okay, with respect to the lunch issue: yes, some bureaucrat is cheaping out. They probably opened their mouth before looking at the costs of feeding people in France. The Gov should cough up the money at this point.

    About the spelling mistakes: some posters are drastically overdrawing their conclusions, but I think some of their main points have more than a grain of truth. Vetrans organizations are, by and large, proudly Anglophone. Only grudgingly do they tolerate bilingualism. Yes, it's true there are Francophone Vetrans groups, but by and large, they are Anglophone. Have you ever seen a Francophone Vetran working as an interpretive guide at the Canadian War Museum? Not me. Been there 3 times already. All Anglos--as are most of their visitors too. C'est la vie, I guess.
  73. Lisa Jones of the Celtic nation within a nation from !,, Canada writes: My mistake, of the 400,000 volunteers from Canada in WW1, fewer than one in 20 were French Canada, probably most from English Canada............

    'Moreover, half of Quebec's recruits were English Canadian and nearly half of French-Canadian volunteers came from provinces other than Québec. '...www.warmuseum.ca/cwm/disp/dis001_e.html

    That means that of the apparent 15000 French Canadian volunteers in WW1, half were not from Quebec, meaning only about 7,500 were from Quebec. And I would wager that most of them had some mixed ancestry that made them feel they should fight the nazis. I doubt if many of the 7,500 were at Vimy either.
  74. R M from Canada writes: Job - the reference to the monument that you mention is, in fact, correct. It is in honour of the 'Persons' case, which was recognition by the court that a woman was a person. It signified that a woman was eligible to be appointed to the Senate.
  75. Don Rickles from Canada writes: Ah yes, I see we have another fine smattering of Canadians from coast to coast starting off their day with their bitching and complaining, insults, name calling and pontification.

    This little faux pas is nothing to get so riled up about. Put a smile on your faces, be happy, be nice ----you'll live longer :-)
  76. Etienne Forest from Japan writes: Robert Pike: As a volunteer, would you demand that an expert look at your first pass before it goes to Vimy? This is what I do not understand. This is not someone trying to help a French tourist in Toronto. It is a monument to the glory of our fallen soldiers...
  77. Har Har from Canada writes: I think 'Woman are Persons' might be technically correct grammar, but it is not a common usage. I think it is more an older usage, and was probably written 80 years ago when we used a more British English than today. To me it sounds silly, but not glaringly incorrect, sort of like the English.
  78. Benoit Evans from Quebec, Canada writes: This is essentially an example of poor (in fact NO) quality control. Before putting up ANY plaques (whether in English or in French, translated or not), there should have been a careful revision of them to be sure they were factually correct and linguistically correct. I have worked as a certified translator for a Quebec government agency for 19 years. EVERYTHING that we publish, both in the original French and in English translation, is carefully revised by trained native speakers of those languages. That covers everything from legal publications all the way down to the temporary sign on the door giving the special office hours during holiday periods. By not doing it right in the beginning, the Department of Veterans Affairs now has egg on its face, has stirred up hard feelings and will spend more money reacting to the controversy and re-doing the plaques than if they had done their duty in the first place.
  79. Har Har from Canada writes: Lisa Jones: There were no Nazis in World War I. The Nazis were in War World II. Maybe it would be better if you wait until after you've finished grade three before you start speaking with adults on a 'big people' message board...
  80. j c from Canada writes: What a shame.. I hope the remembrance in no way is reduced over spelling use of good hearted volunteers,or free lunch worry.Be glad for the freedom, to moan and worry about things such as this.
  81. Barry Kojima from Hamilton, ON, Canada writes:
    Judging by the above posts, I'm assuming we can look forward to another $20M inquiry?

    Perfect.
  82. Lisa Jones of the Celtic nation within a nation from !,, Canada writes: R M from Canada writes: Lisa - how many Quebeckers are fighting in Afghanistan? Right now, almost zero... The Vandoos are guarding the airport, but I'm sure they'l figure out a way to give them some grand medals for that. Any French Quebecer contigent in Afghanistan is being deliberately kept out of combat zones right now. The ones who were recently injured were not supposed to be in a combat zone. Pretty pathetic when you think about it.
  83. Har Har from Canada writes: Lisa Jones: I think you're right, there probably weren't too many conscripts from Quebec at the battle of Vimy in World War II.

    There were no conscripts from anywhere at the battle of Vimy in WW2. They were all volunteers.

    It seems like every sentence you write is an attack on truth and fact. It would really be better for you to 'ferme ta guelle' before you embarrass yourself any further.
  84. R. Carriere from Maritimes, Canada writes:

    Har Har from Canada writes: Lisa Jones: WW1 was hardly a noble cause, from what I hear. It had more to do with greedy European land grabs than anything else. WW2 was a completely different affair, where the entire world was threatened by Nazis. Don't confuse the two.

    I think you nailed it!

    Lisa Jones: Why the HATE? Instead of showing disdain for those who didn't go, why not honoring thoughts and prayers for those who did and died for the exact reasons we can write on these forums? You 'sound' like you may have unresolved issues concerning the Quebecois of French descent. It is one thing to dispise an entity ( Bloq Quebecois-PQ) but quite another to hate the individuals.....what's up Lisa?
  85. Jason Roy from NS, Canada writes: guy olivier from Orlando, United States writes:

    'Can everyone get over the misspelled words and whose fault it is and what does Harper have to do with it and all... they're fixing the screw-up and just admire the sculptures, it's a beautiful memorial.'

    Guy; thank you for the only sane post on this article so far.

    R M from Canada writes:

    'We must remember that it was Trudeau that...brought us protection from the tyranny of the neo-Conservatives by giving us fundamental protections in the form of the Charter. Vivre le Canada libre!'

    R M; based on your post you seem more than willing to bend over and accept the ususal fear-mongering from your beloved Liberal Party as the absolute truth. If this is the case; then please provide us with some absolute PROOF that the 'neo-Conservatives' are tyrannical and are stripping Canadian citizens of their fundamental rights. Last time I checked martial law had not been declared; freedom of speech, press, etc had not been suspended; minorities and disenters were not being jailed, rounded up etc. If you know something the rest of us don't; then by all means show it. If not; give it up already you hack!
  86. R M from Canada writes: Jason - that is always the Conservative way. When you have nothing to defend yourself, get down to calling the others names . . .
  87. Job Patstone from Quebec, Canada writes: RM, Appreciate your response, but it still sounds and looks strange. 'Persons' is used more to replace 'individuals' in technical grammar. Perhaps it could be changed to 'Women are Individuals' that would eliminate the 'persons, people,' argument. God knows how much it would cost to change that!
  88. Har Har from Canada writes: Pfft, anyone who thinks there is a difference between the Conservative Party and the Liberal Party is a fool.
  89. Karl Junkin from Canada writes: Proof that 'Canada is a bilingual country' is a total lie, with a few scattered regions and the province of New Brunswick being exception (these areas actually are genuinely bilingual). The real story? There's Quebec; 99% French, 1% English, excluding Montreal (Montreal is genuinely bilingual), and then there's Rest of Canada (ROC), 90% English, 10%- French (gradually declines as you move west, it reaches 1% in Vancouver, while Chinese hits the 25% mark... the language laws in this country is retarded, as Vancouver is required by law to post French (totally and utterly useless and void of purpose in Vancouver) instead of Chinese (which would be useful and of help to 1/4 of the population)). The lie of a bilingual Canada is starting to show on the international stage now.
  90. Nicholas de Panicis from Oakville, Canada writes: I usually leave a comment but after reading this crap I will only say that we are supposed to be celebrating and remembering those who fought and died on Vimy Ridge they believed in our freedom and our right to free speech they died for us at such a young age...And right now this is the only Prime Minister who is doing something for the Vets of yesterday's and today's war,The Liberal's did NOTHING...
  91. Har Har from Canada writes: Actually the population of Montreal is about 50% of the population of Quebec. Maybe 40%.
  92. K. H. from Quebec, Canada writes: The monument commemorates soldiers who have died to allow us to preserve our history. And the history of Canada includes the French presence. In the 19th century, French-speaking settlers moved west to Manitoba, Sask. and Alberta just as the English did. That was when we had the chance to be a truly bilingual country. But the French presence was quickly swallowed up. Manitoba had a chance to be bilingual but that ended in, say, 1890. Or 1890 was at least the beginning of the end. How is this New Government going to preserve the French presence in Canada? There's a lot of people (from both sides of the political spectrum) speculating on some other thread about what a Tory majority might mean. In speaking to Tory supporters, I would say, yes, that is what you are doing just as Liberal supporters are doing- speculating.

    Note re O Canada: R. S. Weir, who wrote what we recognize as the English lyrics to O Canada today, lived in Quebec for years before writing them. His version is largely an adaptation (middle part is a big adaptation!).
  93. R M from Canada writes: Nocholas - Oh, so is that why the veterans who suffered hearing loss are being denied hearing aids by the Conservatives? Big favour to our vets! Real recognition and appreciation!
  94. Jason Roy from NS, Canada writes: R M from Canada writes:

    'Jason - that is always the Conservative way. When you have nothing to defend yourself, get down to calling the others names . . .'

    I simply asked you to provide proof of your allegations. ANYONE who staunchly defends their party is a hack, sheep, partisan, whatever. I'm guilty of it myself.

    Once again, provide proof of your allegations instead of just brushing it off and bringing up the 'all Conservatives are capable of is name calling' (which many Liberal supporters are more than capable of).

    Or, in your own words, do you have nothing with which to defend your words and are demonstrating the Liberal way - holier than thou, always right even when I may be wrong or have no facts, and entitled to my opinions, even when they are the same as I criticise others for.
  95. Gerry Pankhurst from Westport, Canada writes: Wait for it folks. As soon as parliament returns from the current recess this non event will be brought up in question period, with a vengeance and foaming at the mouth, by someone like Goodale or Holland or maybe even Iggy invoking at least one of the three themes of the Liberal mantra: 1. Apologize 2. Step down 3. Resign. This will be followed by interviews with a couple of left leaning press gallery 'pundits' on Newman's CBC POlitics (emphasis on the O intended) program, with appropriate spin. These non stories are seldom ignored so I expect this one to follow suite.
  96. jiri Z from Canada writes: We are tired of having to avoid reading your idiotic comments, Vern McPherson. There are far too many of them, like mosquitoes.

    Have you got nothing better to do other than spouting nonsense? Like changing your diapers?
  97. R M from Canada writes: Jason - I could start by the Conservatives attempt to try to deny equality on the basis of sexual orientation as evidenced by their position on same sex marriage.
  98. Andrew B. from Brussels, Canada writes: To my Govt.: J'ai honte pour mon pays!
    This was gross incompetence and never should have happened. That said, the error was found and is now being corrected before a major international embarrassment occurred - good. Note to Govt.: All communications representing the Government of Canada should unquestionably be in impeccable English and French.
    ---------------------------------------
    To Lisa Jones of the KKKeltik nation...
    Please do not besmirch my proud Celtic heritage with your racist trash. Just because your father was an intolerant bigot does not mean that you must also be. One of the beautiful things in life is that we can evolve and change. I do however feel the need to correct some of the errors that you seem to be so insistently repeating: 1. Anglo-Celts is a misnomer, there are Anglo-Saxons such as the English and Celts such as the Scottish, Irish, Welsh, Cornish, and people from Bretagne and Normandie etc. (It is worth noting that 'La Vieille Alliance' between Scotland and France actually allowed Scots to take up French citizenship until as late as 1903.) As French Canadians came mostly from Bretagne and Normandie, they are of Celtic origin and the fact that a large percentage of people in Québec also have Irish and Scottish roots makes Québec likely to be the province with the deepest Celtic heritage in Canada. 2. Your misunderstanding of the French Canadian reality is no excuse for trumpeting your ignorant attitudes. Both the British and French empires often used their native Celtic populations as cannon fodder in far too many pointless wars; The Great War was no exception. French Canadians additionally managed to get screwed over by both the French and British empires quite thoroughly in the abandonment of Nouvelle France, thus their rather ambivalent attitudes about fighting wars for ANY Imperial power. That said, many did serve and die, and your caustic words merely add egregious insult to injury.
  99. Leon Russell from Gatineau, Qc, Canada writes: So Lisa, if the shoe were on the other foot you would be more than willing to go fight under the French flag with a bunch of unilingual Francophones when your family needed you at home to bring in the crops? You would trust your fellow French soldiers not to denigrate you or send you into dangerous situations? And you would back politicians who wanted to force your sons to do this? Well, even under these conditions, French-Canadians enlisted voluntarily at similar rates to other groups in Canada.
  100. R M from Canada writes: . . . or Steve's opposition to the right of prisoner's right to vote, even though it is protected by the Charter of Rights and Freedoms . . .
  101. Rene Leblond from Canada writes: Lisa Jones... thanks to you and your father for serving our great country. However, I find it unfortunate that you have spent so much time and effort in the last couple of days posting hateful/derogatory comments. I can only hope that the legacy of battles like Vimy is to show us how dangerous hate can become - seems like this message is lost on you Lisa.
  102. Lisa Jones of the Anglo-Celtic nation within a nation from !,, Canada writes: Need more:?
    In June 1916, the 167th Battalion, recruiting in Québec City, even tried raffling an automobile to raise interest but only raised 144 men for service at the front with the 22nd. One interesting unit was the 163rd Battalion, raised in November 1915 by the noted nationaliste journalist and adventurer, Olivar Asselin, who insisted on enrolling only high-calibre men. Criticized by his nationaliste colleagues for enlisting, Asselin explained in the pamphlet, Pourquoi je m'enrôle that, far from being a hypocrite, he was helping to defend France and not the British Empire. Asselin nicknamed his unit 'les poils-aux-pattes' [hairy paws] and adopted the porcupine as his regimental emblem, explaining that 'qui s'y frotte s'y pique' [stung are those who come into contact with it]. The unit's recruiting poster, on display in the exhibit, featured a soldier in French, not Canadian, uniform. Asselin's considerable efforts to raise a high-quality French-language battalion were in vain: despite successful recruiting, the 163rd was despatched to Bermuda for garrison duty, where it languished. It, too, was eventually dismantled to reinforce the 22nd.
  103. Lisa Jones of the Anglo-Celtic nation within a nation from !,, Canada writes: And here's even more: Furthermore the French Quebecers were not even able to be brought in to fight by French contigents who came over:

    French Canada supplied approximately 15,000 volunteers during the war. Most came from the Montreal area, though Québec City, Western Québec and Eastern Ontario provided significant numbers. A precise total is difficult to establish since attestation papers did not require enlistees to indicate their mother tongue. Though French Canadians comprised nearly 30 percent of the Canadian population, they made up only about 4 percent of Canadian volunteers. Less than 5 percent of Quebec's males of military age were enrolled in infantry battalions, compared to 14-15 percent in Western Canada and Ontario. Moreover, half of Quebec's recruits were English Canadian and nearly half of French-Canadian volunteers came from provinces other than Québec. The result was an angry national debate concerning French Canada's, and especially Québec's, manpower contribution.
  104. Belinda Banks from Whitby, Canada writes: It isn't about buying students lunch it is about their safety. As a mother of a student currently participating the Vimy 90th Anniversary trip - we have fully provided the funding for our children to participate and eat while abroad. The children will be at the mememorial site for 10-12 hours where the teachers have arranged for a special area reserved only for the students - lunch was to be provided in order to assist in their safety. By providing lunch it would allow the children to remain in their area and avoid extremely long line ups to obtain food within the general public. Imagine 3,300 students without food as well as many have never travelled let alone abroad, they are easy targets. The teachers have done an absolutely tremendous job in facilitating this event, one of which was to solve the servious concerns of food/safety and this was obtaining a donation from the government to provide a boxed lunch. It isn't about the $10 per student, many have invested $3,500plus for our children to participate in this memorial event. There was a commitment and I am extremely disappointed that our government would not support this event in such a simple way to ensure the safetly and well being of our children that have travelled to learn about our Canadian Heritage.
  105. Dave Little from Darkside of the Moon, actually it's all dark, Canada writes: Welcome to the 'New Conservative Government ratbag Administration', now run by the Tories who are no better than the ship of fools we got rid of. You will notice that the politicians never go without their 'free Lunch'! The tories had to save money by farming the translation out to Tory volunteers who didn't pass Grade 5 French.

    This also covers up another squabble inside the Government, not taking the leadeers of the opposition parties. This often happened during the Liberial era, and so Stevie has continued this pathetic tradition of being childish.

    Well R. Carriere from Maritimes is obviously one of those knuckle-dragging CONservatives that believe the Right-wing is the only way to go. The right-wing has screwed things up and left more people in this country to be alienated by their cutting of good social programs.
  106. John Hinkley from Canada writes: Folks - lets give this one a break.

    The main problem is that there were no French volunteers to help with the display.

    This is not unusual as the French in Quebec have never supported any of the wars in which Canada has been a participant.
  107. Har Har from Canada writes: Suprising the no French people would want to volunteer with people who constantly bash them and call them cowards. Quelle suprise!
  108. R H from Canada writes: Has Hacksaw Harper blamed Dion for this yet?

    If not, what's taking him so long.

    Remember, NOTHING is their fault.

    Just like the sell off on all the Income Trust Companies to Americans. Flaherty's only response was 'it's not my fault'.

    I fully expect Harper to blame Dion.

    Hacksaw Harper is such a little man with an over inflated ego.

    We really can't afford Harper.
  109. Jeff Gulley from Hradec Kralove, Czech Republic, Canada writes: I was at the Juno Beach Centre in Courseulles-sur-mer for