Dozens of protesters from groups like the Bloc Quebecois and Imperatif Francais gathered outside Longueuil city hall on Tuesday to support Mayor Caroline St-Hilaire’s stance that council meetings should be French only.

Several weeks ago, St-Hilaire wrote on Facebook that councillor Robert Myles's use of both English and French in council meetings was “irritating.”

The post ignited a debate and St-Hilaire says she's received death threats. Tuesday’s meeting was the first since St-Hilaire made her post on the social media platform, and it was standing room only.

Myles has made his remarks in both English and French for over 10 years, but recently, a fellow councillor complained that the practice took too much time and that the vast majority of Longueuil residents could understand French. The city hall speaker ruled that since Myles spoke in French first, he was not violating Bill 101.

In a statement to council, St-Hilaire thanked the people who have come forward to support her and said she wanted to make it clear that Longueuil's official language is French. However, "if there is to be a debate on the issue of language in Quebec institutions, it will be a national debate, and it is within the government of Quebec that it should take place," she said. "Not here."

When it came time for Myles to make his remarks, he did as he always has - spoke French then English.

“The hateful language ... have deeply impacted me. I can't understand what could justify this kind of hate and resentment,” he said.