It's been many years since I visited Canada, but when I did so I travelled overland from coast to coast, so I saw quite a bit of it. Outside Quebec province I found very few native French speakers, but many from other backgrounds. What I did become very aware of was considerable resentment at being required to learn French, especially for government jobs, when there was very little use for it and at the expense of those languages which would be useful in that area. This was particularly true of those with non-English backgrounds who resented the French being given special treatment when they were an almost invisible minority.

Like Eliza, I didn't find bilingualism extended to Quebec, where there was a general reluctance to use or understand English. My favourite story is when I tried to buy a burger - "A burger with ketchup please" met with shrugs, but when I said "Un burger avec ketchup s'il vous plait" with no attempt at a French accent I was immediately understood. Sheer bloody-mindedness - understandable in many respects but hardly conducive to establishing unity and amity throughout the land.