The 180

Should cities make local businesses advertise in English?

In parts of Metro Vancouver, residents see flyers, business signs, and bus shelter ads that are entirely in a language other than English - often Chinese. In a region where more than half the residents have a first language other than English, you can see why a company would feel comfortable advertising in one of those languages. But not everyone...
In parts of Metro Vancouver, residents see flyers, business signs, and bus shelter ads that are entirely in a language other than English - often Chinese. In a region where more than half the residents have a first language other than English, you can see why a company would feel comfortable advertising in one of those languages. But not everyone thinks that's right. Chak Au is a city councillor in Richmond, BC. He wants to encourage all businesses to advertise in English, so that non-Chinese residents don't feel left out.