“There are 3.5 million people in Montreal metro area,” Steve Norman of the AFLCR begins, “70 percent of whom are native French speakers. That’s 2.5 million people, four times the population of the state of Vermont, only two hours away.”
How can Burlington can better welcome visitors from Quebec? Steve hosts a discussion that points to ways to accommodating French language and culture. Among their proposals are bilingual signage; bilingual websites; bilingual travel brochures and guides; brochures indicating equivalents for temperature (F to C) and mileage (miles km); and shops accepting Canadian currency.
Above all they propose that local retail and hospitality employees have French language skills. “Whether you can communicate information or not,” said Steve, “it’s important to demonstrate that you care enough to make the effort.
In Plattsburgh, said Michele Powers (of the North Country Chamber of Commerce), “We have connectivity with Quebec. Plattsburgh’s nickname in the press is ‘Montreal’s US suburb.’ So we have a head start.” She brought guides and materials that have been useful in showing Quebecois that Plattsburgh accepts their culture and welcomes them. “A little bit goes a long way,” she pointed out.
Megan Smith (Vermont’s commissioner of tourism and marketing) agrees that it requires a statewide effort. Melinda Moulton (of Main Street Landin) recommends that the Lake Champlain Chamber of Commerce and other business associations stress these issues to their members.
Burlington City Councilor Norm Blais (chief sponsor of 2011 City Council resolution) called in with his personal story and the cultural-historical reasons to promote French in our region.
you can watch the Town Meeting TV video here.
Date: January 31, 2012
Length: 29 minutes
