Bill 96: New rules for accessing English services in Quebec could change, says minister
Parts of Quebec's controversial language law that took effect Thursday could still be tweaked, according to the minister responsible for the French language.
"Of course, we will adjust during the next days and weeks to improve our ways," said Jean-Francois Roberge on Friday. "It's important that in Quebec we know French language is the only official language."
Despite the City of Cote Saint-Luc poking fun at the requirements for service in English, Roberge says it's up to common sense, not a burden of proof.
"We will rely on good faith of Quebecers. We won't ask people to bring a card or something like that," he said.
The CAQ defended Bill 96 again Friday, insisting it doesn't promote French at the expense of English.
"It does not limit access to services(…) service will be provided first in French, but of course, if you want to file your income tax return and you need help in English, you will receive help in English," said Eric Girard, the minister responsible for relations with English-speaking Quebecers.
The Parti Quebecois said it shows the bill has too much red tape.
Quebec solidaire voted in favour of the law but said elements such as having English access at the top of some municipal websites are useless.
"There's a lot of good things in Bill 96, but this element, we will make it (…) we will delete it from the law, because it's not applicable, and it's (…) we have this ridiculous situation," said Ruba Ghazal, Quebec solidaire MNA.
The Liberals call it a joke.
"I can understand for some persons to see this as a laughing matter," said interim Liberal leader Marc Tanguay.
The premier didn't speak to the latest criticisms of the bill Friday, but Roberge said he's not surprised by the reaction because the original language law had a similar one.
Cote Saint-Luc and other municipalities are promising a lawsuit, adding to a list of legal challenges to the legislation, which passed one year ago.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'The lost season': Winter comes to a close as Canada's warmest on record
The warmest winter on record could have far-reaching effects on everything from wildfire season to erosion, climatologists say, while offering a preview of what the season could resemble in the not-so-distant future unless steps are taken to cut greenhouse gas emissions.
Demand soars for solar eclipse glasses in Canada. Are they worth buying?
The demand for total solar eclipse glasses used to safely view the rare celestial event has been ramping up as sellers, along with astronomy and eye-care experts in Canada, warn that viewing the eclipse with the naked eye is dangerous.
Hertz CEO out following electric car 'horror show'
The company, which announced in January it was selling 20,000 of the electric vehicles in its fleet, or about a third of the EVs it owned, is now replacing the CEO who helped build up that fleet, giving it the company’s fifth boss in just four years.
NEW High thoughts: The habits of Canadian cannabis users are revealed in a new StatCan report
Statistics Canada has conducted a series of surveys to measure the impacts of legalized cannabis since the Cannabis Act took effect in 2018. The latest one, the 2023 National Cannabis Survey, sheds light on users' preferences and habits last year.
Freddie Mercury's home is on the market for first time since 1980 minus his 'exquisite clutter'
Freddie Mercury's sanctuary in London, where he lived the last decade of his life, is on sale for the first time in nearly half a century -- minus his "exquisite clutter."
NEW Where to watch the state funeral for former prime minister Brian Mulroney
A state funeral for former prime minister Brian Mulroney will be held in Montreal on March 23. CTV News will have live special coverage of his funeral service.
NDP motion regarding Palestinian statehood passes after major Liberal alterations
A motion from the federal New Democrats initially calling on Canada to recognize the 'State of Palestine' passed amid widespread acrimony on Monday, after the Liberals drastically altered its wording to see the government simply work towards that aim as part of a two-state solution.
Retired teacher pleads guilty to paying for sex with 15-year-old in Collingwood, Ont.
In a Barrie courtroom on Monday, a retired high school teacher from the Niagara Region pleaded guilty to sexual touching and obtaining sexual services from a 15-year-old boy in Collingwood in 2021.
Toronto family doctor who called patient's body 'perfect' suspended for 3 months: tribunal
A family doctor in Toronto has been suspended for three months after a disciplinary tribunal found that he failed to follow proper protocols while examining a patient's breasts and made inappropriate comments about her body.