'It's detrimental to the people:' Bill 96 convoy rolls through southwest Montreal
Another convoy rally against Quebec's controversial language law rolled through southwest Montreal Saturday afternoon, with demonstrators calling on the province to hit the brakes on Bill 96.
A group of about 50 drove through boroughs like LaSalle, Verdun, and Lachine to express their frustration with Bill 96, which seeks to promote the use of the French language in Quebec and affirm that French is the common language of the province.
"It's detrimental to the people, and that's not what a government is supposed to do. It's supposed to protect everybody in Quebec," said Marc Perez with the Task Force on Linguistic Policy.
The Task Force, along with the group Bridging Ethnic Communities, organized the demonstrations.
Some at the protest said they've had difficulty receiving services in English, arguing the law has created a hostile attitude towards anglophones.
"I've been told off by people in stores and The Canadian Tire because I was speaking to the clerk in English," said protestor Claudia Ottaviano-Maheux.
"This is absolutely atrocious because, at the end of the day, what [Legault is doing is] killing the English language in the province of Quebec," said Cynthia Costigan.
The rally comes one day after the government announced that tuition at universities would double for out-of-province students. The measure would hit English universities the hardest since they receive much higher numbers of out-of-province students than francophone universities.
The premier said the goal of this move is to reverse the decline of French in Quebec, but people at the convoy said it sends a message that anglophones aren't welcome.
"People are very concerned that in the future we will not have any more universities in English, we will not have doctors that can speak English, because everything is getting phased out," said Perez.
Bill 96 is currently being challenged in court by multiple groups.
The Task Force Against Linguistic Policy is also building a case against the government.
"We need people to tell us their stories because we want to get an injunction that will stop the bill in its tracks as it is right now," Perez added.
Until then, the non-profit plans to hold more demonstrations against Bill 96.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Police arrest 3 Indian nationals in killing of B.C. Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar
Three people have been arrested and charged in the killing of B.C. Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar – as authorities continue investigating potential connections to the Indian government.
Five areas Canada's foreign interference commissioner says needs more investigation
Commissioner Marie-Josee Hogue released her interim report examining foreign election interference on Friday. Here are five elements of the issue that Hogue says she needs to further probe before she can make conclusions or recommendations.
Police officer hit by driver of fleeing vehicle in Toronto
York Regional Police say they are continuing to search for a suspect in an auto theft investigation who was captured on video running over a police officer in Toronto last month.
Why your airfare may be getting more expensive
Skyrocketing airfare prices are linked to heightened competition and rising food and fuel, according to the CAA.
TD worst-case scenario more likely after drug money laundering allegations: analyst
TD Bank Group could be hit with more severe penalties than previously expected, says a banking analyst after a report that the investigation it faces in the U.S. is tied to laundering illicit fentanyl profits.
New weight-loss drug Wegovy not a 'magic bullet,' doctor warns
As Wegovy becomes available to Canadians starting Monday, a medical expert is cautioning patients wanting to use the drug to lose weight that no medication is a ''magic bullet,' and the new medication is meant particularly for people who meet certain criteria related to obesity and weight.
Drew Carey is never quitting 'The Price Is Right'
Drew Carey took over as host of 'The Price Is Right' and hopes he’s there for life. 'I'm not going anywhere,' he told 'Entertainment Tonight' of the job he took over from longtime host Bob Barker in 2007.
Funeral today for broadcasting legend and voice of 'Hockey Night in Canada' Bob Cole
A funeral is being held today for hockey broadcasting legend Bob Cole in his hometown of St. John's, N.L.
Foreign meddling 'did not affect' overall federal election results: inquiry report
Foreign interference by China did not affect the overall results of the 2019 and 2021 general elections won by Justin Trudeau's Liberals, a federal commission of inquiry has found.