Question

Assignment: Write a newspaper report no longer than 400 words about a topic an important event from your 1945-1970. You may make up names and quotes of people you interview; however, you must include specific details about Canadian history to demonstrate your historical knowledge. Include a photo/visual to accompany your submission.

Paragraph 1: The Lead
● This is the first sentence in a news article and is
generally 20-30 words. It expands on the
headline and usually provides the WHEN, WHO,
WHAT and WHERE.

Paragraph 2: Supporting Information
● This paragraph expands on the lead to give the
reader a clear idea of what the story is about.

Paragraph 3: 1st Source
● Make up a person and explain why he/she is
important to the story and then have them
speak. They might comment on what they did,
saw, thought, want, or may even give a fact.

Paragraph 4: New Information
● Talk about another aspect of the story. Use facts
or more details to expand your story.

Paragraph 5: 2nd Source
● Make up another person and explain why
he/she is important to the story and then have
them speak. They might comment on what they
did, saw, thought, want, or may even give a fact.

Paragraph 6: New Information
● Talk about another aspect of the story. Use facts
(made up) or more details to expand your story.
(Hint: if you get stuck, you could add details
from your own experiences, as long as you
maintain 3rd person perspective!)

Last Paragraph: Wrap Up
● An end to the story. This could include things
like contact information if it is an event or
charity, the day something is going to happen,
or a website link.

Answer 1

The Lead:

It was a momentous day for Canadian history as the Official Languages Act received Royal Assent on September 9, 1969. This act made English and French equal languages in the Canadian government and provided a framework for the promotion of bilingualism across the country.

Supporting Information:

Before the Official Languages Act, French had been a marginalized language in Canada, particularly in English-speaking provinces. The act aimed to promote bilingualism and ensure that French-speaking Canadians were treated equally to their English-speaking counterparts in the federal government.

1st Source:

Jean-Marc Bélanger, a Francophone from Quebec, was thrilled with the passing of the Official Languages Act. "It's a major step forward for Francophones in this country. For too long, we have been treated as second-class citizens in our own country. This act will help to promote equality between English and French, and will ensure that the French language is not marginalized in government institutions."

New Information:

The Official Languages Act required that all federal government institutions provide services in both English and French, and that all federal employees be able to speak both languages. It also established the Office of the Commissioner of Official Languages to monitor and enforce compliance with the act.

2nd Source:

Margaret Smith, an Anglophone from Ontario, was initially skeptical of the act. "I wasn't sure why we needed to make French an official language. English has always been the language of Canada, and I thought it was unnecessary to change that." However, she changed her mind after seeing the benefits of bilingualism. "I've had to work with French-speaking colleagues in the federal government, and being able to speak both languages has made my job much easier. I think the act has been a positive thing for Canada."

New Information:

The Official Languages Act was controversial at the time, with some critics arguing that it gave French-speaking Canadians an unfair advantage. However, it was widely supported by Francophone communities across the country, and is now seen as an important step towards promoting bilingualism and multiculturalism in Canada.

Wrap Up:

The passing of the Official Languages Act was a significant moment in Canadian history, marking a major shift towards promoting bilingualism and ensuring that French-speaking Canadians were treated equally to their English-speaking counterparts. Today, French is an official language in Canada alongside English, and the act continues to play an important role in promoting linguistic diversity and multiculturalism in the country.

[Attached photo: a group of people from diverse backgrounds holding hands in front of the Canadian flag.]

Step-by-step explanation: