'Frustration and anxiety': thousands of Montrealers protest Bill 96
Thousands of demonstrators assembled in Montreal Saturday to protest provisions in Bill 96 and its amendments to the French-language law, Bill 101.
Protestors began gathering at 10 a.m. at Dawson College on Sherbrooke St. West and marched to Premier Francois Legault's office at the corner of Sherbrooke and McGill College.
"As it stands, Bill 96 will reduce and restrict access to education, health care, justice, and government services in English," reads a press release from organizers.
On Thursday, the Quebec legislature passed an amendment to Bill 96, easing rules slightly for the province's English-speaking college students.
Bill 96 is expected to pass this month, and would impose tougher language requirements on workplaces and municipalities.
It also seeks to limit the use of English in the courts and public services, grant powers of search and seizure without a warrant to Quebec's language regulator and cap enrolment at English junior colleges, where students would have to take more courses in French.
People take part in a demonstration against Bill 96 in Montreal, Saturday, May 14, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Graham Hughes
Russell Copeman, executive director of the Quebec English School Boards Association, says he supports efforts to promote and protect the French language, but describes Bill 96 as "discriminatory" and the cause of "frustration and anxiety" among anglophones and francophone business leaders.
"There's issues to access to justice, access to services in English, access to health and social services," he said. "There are lot's of reasons to oppose this bill."
Mohawk Council of Kahnawake Grand Chief Kahsennenhawe Sky-Deer said demanding that young people master a third language -- French -- carries colonial overtones and would make it harder for them to succeed.
"[It's] a heavy burden on our kids, and that's going to discourage them and make it harder for our people to get into professions," she said.
People take part in a demonstration against Bill 96 in Montreal, Saturday, May 14, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Graham Hughes
Politicians from both the federal and provincial Liberal parties marched alongside demonstrators, including Quebec Liberal (QLP) leader Dominique Anglade.
"We really believe that the French language can be promoted and protected, but in a way that is inclusive," Anglade said. "That is not what Bill 96 is doing."
But the Quebec Liberals have a complicated history when it comes to Bill 96: it was they who initially suggested students at English CEGEPS be required to take three core courses in French.
Following the outcry of English-language CEGEPs, Anglade would later offer a "mea culpa" for the proposed amendment, admitting the party should have consulted with them beforehand.
With this in mind, the head of the new Canadian Party of Quebec, Collin Standish, said English-speaking Quebecers have been let down by the Liberals.
"The Liberal party of Quebec and Mme. Anglade should not be present at this rally. The've made it worse," he said.
LISTEN ON CJAD 800 RADIO: Tom Mulcair: How does the francophone media cover Bill 96?
COUNTER DEMONSTRATION
Not everyone in attendance was against the bill, however: a small group of counter-demonstrators also made an appearance Saturday, playing French-language music and waving the Fleurdelisé flag.
Counter-demonstrator Éden Bélanger said he came to the protest to show pride in the French language.
"We're here to celebrate French. We're here to celebrate our culture," he said. "We are for Bill 96, so we're here to show the beauty of French with some music."
In his view, the ends of Bill 96 justify the means.
"We have a social objective, and that's to protect French," he said, adding that he personally believes Indigenous groups should be exempt from the bill.
He said their goal isn't to eliminate English, but to ensure French is the predominant language in Quebec society.
-- with files from The Canadian Press.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
W5 Investigates A 'ticking time bomb': Inside Syria's toughest prison holding accused high-ranking ISIS members
In the last of a three-part investigation, W5's Avery Haines was given rare access to a Syrian prison, where thousands of accused high-ranking ISIS members are being held.
As Australia bans social media for children, Quebec is paying close attention
As Australia moves to ban social media for children under 16, Quebec is debating whether to follow suit.
Irregular sleep patterns may raise risk of heart attack and stroke, study suggests
Sleeping and waking up at different times is associated with an increased risk of heart attack and stroke, even for people who get the recommended amount of sleep, according to new research.
California man who went missing for 25 years found after sister sees his picture in the news
It’s a Thanksgiving miracle for one California family after a man who went missing in 1999 was found 25 years later when his sister saw a photo of him in an online article, authorities said.
Trudeau Liberals' two-month GST holiday bill passes the House, off to the Senate
The federal government's five-page piece of legislation to enact Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's promised two-month tax break on a range of consumer goods over the holidays passed in the House of Commons late Thursday.
Notre Dame Cathedral: Sneak peek ahead of the reopening
After more than five years of frenetic reconstruction work, Notre Dame Cathedral showed its new self to the world Friday, with rebuilt soaring ceilings and creamy good-as-new stonework erasing somber memories of its devastating fire in 2019.
Canada Post temporarily laying off striking workers, union says
The union representing Canada Post workers says the Crown corporation has been laying off striking employees as the labour action by more than 55,000 workers approaches the two-week mark.
Can't resist Black Friday weekend deals? How to shop while staying within your budget
A budgeting expert says there are a number of ways shoppers can avoid getting enveloped by the sales frenzy and resist spending beyond their means.
Montreal shopping mall playing 'Baby Shark' song to prevent unhoused from loitering
A shopping mall and office complex in downtown Montreal is being criticized for using the popular children's song 'Baby Shark' to discourage unhoused people from loitering in its emergency exit stairwells.