Bilingual Parking Meters Ordered in Canadian City

Motorists in part of the capital city of Manitoba will soon be able to read parking meters in French and English--a development that has sparked debate about whether the entire city will one day have to use both official languages.

At least one legal expert doubts that a recent court order forcing the city to print bilingual stickers on 200 meters in St. Boniface--an area of the city with a high number of French-speaking residents--sets a precedent.

But the decision has nonetheless sparked emotional debate in Winnipeg’s City Council chambers.

“I’m not against French, but this is not Quebec,” said Harry Lazarenko, a 52-year-old councilor of Ukrainian descent, referring to the French-speaking province.

Lazarenko was the only city politician to vote against following the provincial court ruling. He fears it will set a precedent to extend French services citywide--services he thinks the city can’t afford.