Canada\u27s Bilingual Dilemma: A Critical Discourse Analysis

While employing a qualitative, critical discourse analysis approach this thesis examined the discourses of official bilingualism and French as a second language (FSL) education in Canada as they appeared in stakeholder promotion efforts. The aim of the research was to gain insight into the underlying sources of tension contributing to the disconnect between the vision for official bilingualism and FSL education and the reality of it within Canadian society. Through a critical discourse analysis approach, it was found that there are two conflicting sets of discourses which paint very different pictures of the actual state of official bilingualism and FSL education in Canada. Based on these findings, the researcher calls for a renewed effort on behalf of stakeholders to bring the real issues facing official bilingualism and FSL education out from the shadows and into national dialogue so that the objectives for official bilingualism can be realized within Canadian society