Published by Senator Mobina Jaffer on 17 February 2010
Hello and welcome to Vancouver!
I am delighted that you are visiting my home province for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
I have been a Senator for British Columbia since 2001 and am very proud to represent the people of our wonderful province, which is currently hosting the Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games. I am also pleased to welcome you as a representative of the Games’ two official languages: English and French.
Welcome as well to this small discussion forum, where people can express themselves freely and share their Olympic experiences.
We have all been preparing for this international event for years and have created special strategies so that our two official languages will be highly visible.
I have worked hard to ensure that French and English will be truly well represented during the Olympic Games.
As has often been said, this is a “golden opportunity” and a major showcase for our linguistic duality, our cultural richness and our world-renowned multiculturalism.
Over the years, I have offered the various agencies and institutions involved in organizing the Games my expertise, my experience, my personal commitment and especially my participation as a Senator from the host province.
A tremendous amount of work has gone into incorporating both of our official languages into all aspects of the Games, and I have fought to ensure that
- the buildings used for the Games have signage in English and French;
- broadcasts and the media place great importance on the French language;
- signs for roadways and public transit are in both official languages at least;
- high-quality translation services are evident everywhere.
These are only some of the projects we have brought to a successful conclusion.
Now it is your turn to think about your visit to British Columbia and share your opinions and experiences with me (and us), whether you attended the opening of the Games, the sporting events themselves, the medal award ceremonies or the closing of this magnificent Canadian event.
Please write to me about your experiences and share your impressions of the presence of English and French. I look forward to hearing from you.
Sincerely,
Mobina S.B. Jaffer