Agora on Access to Justice in French

I'm still reflecting on the two days of inspiring talks and roundtable discussions that made up the Agora for Access to Justice in French in Winnipeg, organized by the Ministers' Council on the Canadian Francophonie on Friday and Saturday here in Winnipeg.
 
It was an honour and a privilege to sit at tables with such luminaries as a Supreme Court judge, a Minister of Justice, directors of Francophone secretariats, and judges, lawyers, and legal professionals from across the country. All of them were remarkably humble and generous with their time and ideas, and all were eager to engage with challenging issues.

A few points have stayed with me:

1. The active offer of French-language services drives demand. Francophones often avoid asking for services in French because they feel it won't be forthcoming or will stall their case. Actively providing French-language services leads to an increase in uptake, which means current usage numbers are likely not an effective metric for assessing real demand. In other words, if you build it, they will come.
2. Finland offers an interesting comparison. Professor Markku Suksi recounted how, although Swedish is an official language of the government and the judiciary, young Finns tend to prioritize English as a second language due to its perceived cultural and economic importance. The benefit of speaking Swedish is often realized too late, sometimes only upon entering the workforce. There is an interesting parallel to draw with Canada, and it intersects with the first point: as long as the active offer of French remains undervalued, demand will stay invisible and the benefits of learning French will remain underappreciated.
3. Technology is key to increasing access to justice in French, but as we also see in the translation industry, human expertise remains vital. It's also important to remember that technology can introduce new barriers. It can even relegate users to second-class status if they are forced to rely on apps exclusively when accessing services.
4. Lack of awareness remains a major obstacle when it comes to language rights. Many Francophones default to English when accessing government services simply because they are unaware of their right to be served in French. This is something that our education and justice systems must take steps to remedy.

 
As the Agora wrapped up, there was a palpable sense among participants that although we have much to be proud of, there is still work to do. But we all left with a sense of excitement about what's possible. That's what's keeping me inspired, especially as Manitoba moves toward becoming a truly bilingual province.
 
Thank you to the MCCF for this incredible Agora. I hope it spurs more events like it in the future.