Quebec judge suspends parts of Bill 96 that apply to English school boards
The English Montreal School Board (EMSB) is celebrating what it calls a "significant win" in court after a judge stayed parts of Quebec's language laws that applied to English school boards across the province.
The Quebec Superior Court judgment temporarily suspends provisions of the law that had required English school boards from communicating exclusively in French in writing with English groups, such as the Quebec English School Boards Association or the English Parents’ Committee Association of Quebec, according to a press release on Thursday.
There is an exception for "situations where the partner or co-contractor of [the school board] requires the use of the official language," according to the ruling on April 10.
The judge's ruling is temporary until there is a judgment on the constitutionality of Bill 96 by the court.
EMSB Chair Joe Ortona said his board should be "proud" of the recent judgment, which applies to all English school boards in Quebec.
"While we offer rich programming in French in our schools and are committed to ensuring our students have strong French language capabilities so that they can live and work in Québec, it is important to emphasize that we are an English-language school board and a key institution of the English-speaking community," he said in the release.
The judgment noted that the EMSB challenged the law on behalf of the minority English population in Quebec and "act as spokespersons for people who enjoy rights guaranteed by [article] 23 of the Canadian Charter."
Justice Suzanne Courchesne wrote in her ruling that, "Clearly, the prohibition on English school boards using English in their written communications, contracts and services with partners from the minority language community, in the majority of situations, causes them serious and irreparable harm."
Ortona said in an interview that he hopes the government does not appeal her decision.
"The important thing for us as an English-language school board is that we can continue to operate in English and this doesn't create a problem or doesn't have legal ramifications for us," he told CTV News, adding that the law, as amended, would have been costly for the school board.
"It would have had a significant impact. We would have had to spend an enormous amount of money on translation costs. We would essentially not be able to function as an English-language school board if even internally amongst ourselves we have to be emailing each other in French. None of it made any sense."
Listen on CJAD 800: Quebec judge suspends parts of Bill 96 affecting English schools
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
![](https://www.ctvnews.ca/polopoly_fs/1.6979388.1722030190!/httpImage/image.jpg_gen/derivatives/landscape_800/image.jpg)
Celine Dion delivers stirring comeback performance at Paris Olympics opening ceremony
Against the rainy Paris night sky, Celine Dion staged the comeback of her career with a powerful performance from the Eiffel Tower to open the Olympic Games.
Jasper wildfire: 'Several weeks' before residents can return, premier says
Premier Danielle Smith said Friday afternoon in Hinton while weather conditions are cooler, the Jasper fire is still considered out of control and that Jasper residents can expect to be away from their homes 'for several weeks.'
Missing 3-year-old boy found dead in creek in Mississauga, Ont.: police
A three-year-old boy has been found dead a day after he went missing in a park in Mississauga, Ont., Peel police say.
Irish museum pulls Sinead O'Connor waxwork after just one day due to backlash
An Irish museum will withdraw a waxwork of singer-songwriter Sinéad O'Connor just one day after installing it, following a backlash from her family and the public, it told CNN in a statement on Friday.
Winnipeg senior's account overdrawn for $146,000 water bill
A Winnipeg senior is getting soaked with a six-figure water bill.
Turpel-Lafond won't sue CBC over Cree heritage report that took 'heavy toll': lawyer
The lawyer for a former judge whose claims to be Cree were questioned in a CBC investigation says his client is not considering legal action against the broadcaster after the Law Society of British Columbia this week backed her claims of Indigenous heritage.
Driver charged after flashing high beams at approaching police
Orillia OPP arrested and charged a driver with impaired driving after flashing their high beams.
Major Canadian bank experiences direct deposit outage on payday
Scotiabank says it has fixed a technical issue that impacted direct deposits on Friday morning.
FBI says Trump was indeed struck by bullet during assassination attempt
Nearly two weeks after Donald Trump’s near assassination, the FBI confirmed Friday that it was indeed a bullet that struck the former president’s ear, moving to clear up conflicting accounts about what caused the former U.S. president’s injuries after a gunman opened fire at a Pennsylvania rally.