'It doesn't feel human': Six Quebecers file legal challenge against Bill 96
One year less a day after Quebec's Bill 96 came into force, a new legal challenge was filed Wednesday at the Montreal courthouse on behalf of six people.
They argue the law to strengthen the French language will make it more difficult to access necessary services in English, adding that they believe it places language rights before human rights.
One of the six named in the lawsuit is Elena Montecalvo. Her son, Giancarlo, has autism and sometimes gets violent, she said.
His psychiatrist recommended an in-patient program at the Rivieres-des-Prairies Hospital that analyzes how he reacts to different medicines. He was denied entry to the program because he attends an English school.
"For my entire family's safety, we needed him to be treated – and to be denied that because of a language issue feels beyond discriminatory. It doesn't feel human," she said.
"I want to be part of this lawsuit because I realize that if they were legally allowed to make this decision before this bill passed, I can only imagine how much worse things will get."
The suit was filed by a group called the Task Force on Linguistic Policy.
"Today, we are obliged to take the Quebec government to court to ensure our rights are respected," said Andrew Caddell, task force president.
"No legislation can abolish individual rights, which is what Bill 96 tries to do by invoking the notwithstanding clause," added lawyer Michael Bergman.
When asked about the court challenge, Eric Girard, the minister responsible for relations with the English-speaking community, reiterated the party line that Bill 96 exists to promote the French language.
"I've had many meetings with members of the English community, and we have been quite clear that Bill 96 does not impact access to services with respect to health care," he said.
The opposition Liberals would not say whether they support the lawsuit, though appeared unsurprised by the latest court challenge.
"By using the blanket notwithstanding clause on these bills in general, the government freely admitted it was bypassing certain rights that are enshrined in our charters," said Liberal MNA Andre Fortin.
The task force warns it will likely take several years before a final ruling is determined in this case.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Bodies recovered in Mexico likely 2 Australians, 1 American who went missing: officials
Three bodies recovered in an area of Baja California are likely to be those of the two Australians and an American who went missing last weekend during a camping and surfing trip, the state prosecutor’s office said Saturday.
Work stoppage possible as WestJet issues lockout notice to maintenance engineers' union
A lockout notice issued by WestJet to a union representing aircraft maintenance engineers could result in a work stoppage next week.
No proof man lied to brother about number of kittens born in litter, B.C. tribunal rules
A man was denied a $5,000 payout from his brother after a B.C. tribunal dismissed his claim disputing how many kittens were born in a litter.
'I just can't believe that it took so long': Body found in wreckage 3 months after deadly fire
A man accused of arson in a January Old Strathcona apartment fire is expected to be charged with manslaughter after a body was discovered in the burned building late last month.
Quebec police hand out hundreds of tickets to Hells Angels and other bikers before 'first run' meeting
Quebec provincial police handed out hundreds of fines to Hells Angels members and other supporting motorcycle clubs who met for their 'first run' in a small town near Sherbrooke, Que.
London Drugs begins 'gradual reopening' on 7th day after cyberattack
Almost a week after all London Drugs stores across Western Canada abruptly closed amid a cyberattack, they began a "gradual reopening" on Saturday.
Auston Matthews skates ahead of Game 7, status unclear with season on the line
Auston Matthews was back on the ice with his teammates Saturday.
Russia puts Ukrainian President Zelenskyy on its wanted list
Russia has put Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on its wanted list, Russian state media reported Saturday, citing the interior ministry’s database.
Snakes almost on a plane: U.S. TSA discovers a bag with small snakes in passenger's pants
According to an X post by the Transportation Security Administration, officers at the Miami International Airport found the small bag of snakes hidden in a passenger's trousers on April 26 at a checkpoint.