Anglophone survey reignites Montreal's language debate

The controversial findings of a survey published by a French-language magazine is stirring the pot in Montreals perpetual language debate.

The cover of this week's L'Actualitshows a frog holding a banner which says "Ici On Parle English."

A surveyof English Montrealers published in the magazine suggests few care about the preservation of French in the city.

The story has some in Montreals anglophonecommunity upset with the way theyve been portrayed.

Jean-Franois Lise, who wrote an op-ed piece in the issue, said he's surprised by the lack of empathy among English Montrealers for protection of the French language.

"I would have thought that given the investment that they made in acquiring French, they would say 'Well, of course, that's what I'm doing. I'm learning French and having my kids learn French," he said.

"But instead of that . . . they have a negative reaction."

The article is also providing fodder for Quebec's official opposition party. Parti Qubcois critic for immigration and cultural communities Yves-Franois Blanchet, along with MNA for Gouin Nicolas Girard, plan to comment on the magazine's findings on Sunday.