RICHARD ALLEN SCOTT - Through the Years

RICHARD ALLEN SCOTT
THROUGH THE YEARS
This year I was finally forced to go on full-time French language training. When I had initially
been transferred from Winnipeg to Ottawa, my position there was deemed ‘bilingual nonimperative’.
By the time I was able to go to work after my back surgery, the position was
declared ‘bilingual imperative’, meaning I had to be trained within 2 years. The Director was
kind enough to send me to a private school, downtown, where I had private lessons…one-onone.
This was at the time of the Quebec Referendum, the second referendum to ask voters in
Quebec whether they should proclaim national sovereignty and become an independent
country. Naturally, the instructors were Quebecers, and very nationalist in their fervour to
promote French. Me, with an English accent, well, we didn’t see eye-to-eye on that topic, so it
was difficult for me, and exhausting at my age to try and learn the language under those urgent
conditions. I almost finished the course, but left the school in disgust before my verbal learning
was complete. I did pass the reading and writing tests, but didn’t bother to go for the oral. I
figured if I had to be transferred out of my bilingual position, then so be it. After years of trying
to get the Force to send me to school, and even taking a course on my own dime while I was in
B.C., to attempt it now, so late in my career, was a disaster. I wasn’t happy.
For November 11 th the
RMC cadets were brought
to Ottawa for the large
parade. It was cold, but at
least the snow held off.
Christmas - 1995
June 2017
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