Beaconsfield reaffirms its bilingual status in the wake of Quebec’s new language bill
Beaconsfield City Council confirmed its official bilingual status in a meeting Monday night, “as a pledge for multiculturalism, inclusion, tolerance and comprehension,” according to a press release issued Tuesday.
The Quebec government tabled Bill 96 last May, which aimed to reform the province's already-existing language law.
If adopted, the reform would restrict accessibility to English CGEPs and further enforce the use of French in the workplace, among other changes.
Beaconsfield Mayor Georges Bourelle says by reaffirming the city’s bilingual status, he aims to highlight “the spirit of [the] community.”
“The English and French language have both forged our society and continue to unite our community in a social environment that is inclusive, tolerant and generous, open and multicultural,” he said.
Bill 96 proposes removing the bilingual status of any municipality that is less than 50 per cent English speaking. If a municipality wants to maintain its bilingual status, it must adopt a resolution confirming it meets the criteria.
More than 55 per cent of Beaconsfield’s residents list English as their native language, according to data from Statistics Canada, so the city is not at risk of losing its status.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Spectacular aurora light show to be seen across Canada Friday night
A rare and severe solar storm is expected to bring spectacular displays of the northern lights, also known as aurora borealis, across much of Canada and parts of the United States on Friday night.
Town of Fort Nelson, B.C., ordered to evacuate due to wildfire
The entire town of Fort Nelson, B.C., as well as the nearby Fort Nelson First Nation, has been ordered to evacuate due to an out-of-control wildfire.
Bouchard lifts Edmonton Oilers to 4-3 overtime win over Canucks in Game 2
Evan Bouchard scored 5:38 into overtime and the Edmonton Oilers bounced back for a 4-3 win over the Vancouver Canucks in the second round of the Stanley Cup playoffs on Friday.
McGill University seeks emergency injunction to dismantle pro-Palestinian encampment
McGill University has filed a request for an injunction to have the pro-Palestinian encampment removed from its campus.
Which Canadian cities have the highest and lowest grocery prices?
Where you live plays a big factor in what you pay at the grocery store. And while it's no secret the same item may have a different price depending on the store, city or province, we wanted to see just how big the differences are, and why.
Swarm of 20,000 bees gather around woman’s car west of Toronto
A swarm of roughly 20,000 bees gathered around a woman’s car in the parking lot of Burlington Centre.
Video shows naked raccoon catching B.C. family by surprise
When Marvin Henschel spotted a strange and hairless creature wandering through a front lawn in B.C.'s Lower Mainland, he could barely believe his eyes.
Barron Trump declines to serve as an RNC delegate
Former U.S. President Donald Trump's youngest son, Barron Trump, has declined to serve as a delegate at this summer’s Republican National Convention, according to a senior Trump campaign adviser and a statement from Melania Trump's office.
Out-of-control wildfire prompts evacuation alert for Fort McMurray, Saprae Creek Estates Friday night
An evacuation alert was issued for two Wood Buffalo communities Friday night, as crews battled an out-of-control wildfire near Fort McMurray.