Canadian CurmudgeonMar 17
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/carney-criticized-for-british-spelling-9.7015702
Linguistic experts urge Carney government to stop using British spellings
Advocates say government should utilize (not 'utilise') Canadian English in official documents.
Canadians sometimes opt for a spelling that may have originated in the U.S. — or more accurately, North America, the letter says. "For other words we follow the British style."
Linguistic experts urge Carney government to stop using British spellings | CBC News

Promoters of Canadian English say the federal government is sending the wrong message to the world with its recent use of British spelling in official documents, including the 2025 federal budget.

CBC
Show threadYoung ThosMar 17
@CdnCurmudgeon This was a minor controversy a few months ago. While I personally prefer Canadian English, we've got so much American spelling in this country these days that I approve of Mark Carney going #FullBritish to balance things out
Show threadCanadian CurmudgeonMar 19
@NeueWelle Well, the history of Canadian usage of US terms and spelling dates back to before Confederation. The Canadian Press uses both US and British forms (-or instead of -our in single syllable words; -ize instead of -ise). Canadian English is an awkward blend of the two, but it *is* ours.
Show threadYoung Thos

@CdnCurmudgeon I absolutely agree that Canadian English spelling is a unique transatlantic hybrid. It's what I use and what I prefer. I am 'ride or die' for the Oxford Canadian Dictionary.

But in the current context of the deluge of American spellings that are not part of standard Canadian English that are nevertheless creeping into everyday Canadian life, I am absolutely fine with the prime minister going #FullBritish — if only to balance things out.

Mar 19 at 4:54pmIvory for iOS
Show threadYoung ThosMar 19
@CdnCurmudgeon I had to beg the venerable McGill University to correct a spelling to 'centre' the other day, it's rough out there 😅