DCHP-3

bi and bi

DCHP-2 (Oct 2016)

Spelling variants:
bi-and-bi

1abbreviation — expression, French relations

bilingualism and biculturalism, in reference to the 1963 Royal Commission.

Type: 4. Culturally Significant — This abbreviation originated with the Royal Commission on Bilingualism and Biculturalism established in 1963 by the Canadian government under Lester B. Pearson. With the intent of analyzing French and English cultural and linguistic dualism in Canada, the achievements of the commission include national French education, the Official Languages Act and the federal department of Multiculturalism (see Canadian Encyclopedia reference). Accordingly, the term can refer to bilingualism and biculturalism in general as a short form for an important national debate, such as "bi-and-bi dialogue" (see the 1982 quotation).
See also Gage-5, s.v. "Bi and Bi report", ITP Nelson, s.v. "bi-and-bi", COD-2, which marks the term "Cdn jocular" and OED-3, s.v. "Bi and Bi", which is marked "Canad.".
Often used in compounds such as Bi-and-Bi Commission, Bi and Bi submission, Bi and Bi Report, bi-and-bi dialogue

Quotations

1965
Bi and Bi submission
1968
Ryerson outlined three results among English Canadians of the "challenge" from Quebec. Some showed a reactionary backlash, some a readiness for change which resulted in the royal commission on bilingualism and biculturalism, and others expressed concern over English-Canada's own identity. He pointed out the bi-and-bi commission had shown the large economic disparity between the Quebec worker and his English-speaking counterpart.
1978
They had no problem for 200 years until Pearson created the Bi and Bi Commission (the Royal Commission on Bilingualism and Biculturalism).
1982
[...] but the country as a whole seems well beyond the irrational thinking which once dominated the bi-and-bi dialogue.
1989
We are all quite simply Canadians growing increasingly angry with the jargon of the bi-and-bi, whereby we are all phones, anglos, francos, or allos, or hyphenated Canadians of all flavors...
1991
The question of linguistic "zones" advocated in the Laurendeau-Dunton "Bi and Bi" report has been glossed over by all governments[...]
1997
There was only one problem with entrenching bi and bi, and that was Canada's growing population of immigrants from non-European continents and cultures.
2001
"Bi and Bi has become such a sacred cow that government won't let anyone question or tamper with it. If you do, they immediately paint you as a bigot."
2008
There are mixed feelings regarding immigrants, but it all comes down to the fact that we are all immigrants. As one Indian chief said to the Bi and Bi commission, "The trouble with this country is lousy immigration laws right from the beginning."
2012
For the first time since Quebec separation became a real issue for all Canadians, which was, I suggest, as long ago as the turbulent '60s, and the launch of the (then famous) Bi and Bi Commission - the threat of Quebec walking out of the federation does not send chills up the spines of people outside the province.
2013
Remember: The PQ has already gone to France for support - and tentatively gotten it! So, is his party really looking at a Quebecer before proven ability? Is it really Bi and Bi or Bye and Bye? Some say if Quebec wants a referendum... give 'em one!

References