Belcarra bylaw will require English to be used for village business

English is set tobecomethe sole language for doing business in the village of Belcarra, B.C.,ina move the mayor says will save resources and even help new arrivals betterassimilate.

The small municipalityof about 700locatedon BurrardInlet'sIndian Arm,is set to pass a bylaw thatrequires English to be the language used on all written and oral dealings with the village.

If passed, those who can't speak English but need to do business withthe municipality must provide their own translators. A final reading of the bylaw is set for March 29.

• Federally-funded English language programs facing cuts in B.C.

Other large municipalities in the Lower Mainland provide language services to people who don't speak English, but BelcarraMayor Ralph Drew said the villagecan't afford to provide translation services.

A question of clarity

Drew also said the language bylaw will make clearwhat's expected from everyone who wishes to work with his municipality.

"It's a question of clarity," Drew told CBC News, addingthat he thinks the bylaw may also help non-English-speaking immigrantsassimilate better.

"If they truly understand that they're in Canada now, and that they need to conduct themselves in the language of the country then they will strive to become better members of the society," he said.

"Nobody is suggesting that anybody give up their language or their culture. But there has to be a common ground, a common basis under which we live and work together."

The bylaw appears to have struck a chord in the area.John McEwen, themayor ofAnmore, a villageadjacent to Belcarra, said it will likely follow Belcarra's lead.

However, the district ofSquamish said despite its size, it has no intention of ever adopting a similarbylaw.

Translationavailable in larger centres

ABelcarraresident interviewed Fridayhad mixed feelings about the bylaw.

"I'm a little bit conflicted about it because, onthe one hand, if you can't speak English then you can't instantly learn andit's difficult to get things done," said the woman, who declined to give her name.

"On the other hand, we're a really small village .... and it's my understanding that there isn't anyone in the village hall that has the knowledge and the background to speak any of the languages."

Most larger municipalities in the Metro Vancouver area provide language services for non-English-speaking residents.

In Vancouver, residents can dial 311 for services in more than175languages. In Surrey, there are interpreters at all city facilities, and over-the-phone translation services are available in more than 170languages.