Most French-speakers support right of anglophones to get important government services in English: poll
The majority of French-speaking Quebecers support the right for Quebec's anglophones to get important government services in English, according to a new poll.
The Léger poll, commissioned by the Quebec Community Groups Network (QCGN), a group representing the English-speaking community, looked into whether English and French speakers have different perceptions of language in the province.
The QCGN already released some data last week about the views around Bill C-13, the federal official languages bill, but the new poll had to do with the idea of equal access to certain government services.
"We were heartened to see, that, in fact, on the street, English-speaking Quebecers and French-speaking Quebecers really do have a willingness to work together. And the francophones, for sure, really believe that there should be equal access for English-speaking Quebecers," said Sylvia Martin-Laforge, the QCGN's director-general.
When asked whether anglophones should have equal access to the health-care system in their language, 84 per cent of French speakers agreed.
Eighty-five per cent of francophones said their English speakers should receive equal access to the court system.
When it came to funding for English community projects, 65 per cent of French speakers approved, according to the poll.
Martin-Laforge said it's an opportune time to send a message to Quebec politicians from all parties that there is room in the province for diversity and inclusion. There might even be some consensus among the population, she said.
"As the national assembly begins its work, we want all parties to understand, to be aware of what Quebecers feel about access to services for a minority linguistic population. I would believe that Quebecers generally are quite generous in their attitudes toward minorities," she said.
Leger conducted the poll during the first week of November, with almost 700 people from across Quebec responding.
More results are expected to be released at a later date.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
EXCLUSIVE | Gay man taking Canadian government to court, says sperm donation restrictions make him feel like a 'second-class citizen'
A gay man is taking the federal government to court, challenging the constitutionality of a policy restricting gay and bisexual men from donating to sperm banks in Canada, CTV News has learned.

Dominic Barton says he had nothing to do with federal contracts awarded to McKinsey
Dominic Barton, the former global managing director of McKinsey & Company, says he had no involvement in federal contracts awarded to the firm in recent years.
Quebec woman shocked to find stolen Audi driven through Ontario mall in 'insane' robbery
A Quebec woman said she was very surprised to find her stolen Audi had been used in what’s being described as an “absolutely insane” Ontario mall robbery.
Shubenacadie Sam sees shadow, predicts six more weeks of winter
Nova Scotia's Shubenacadie Sam has seen her shadow, predicting six more weeks of winter.
Former CBC journalist dies after random attack on Toronto street, new suspect photo released
A long-time CBC radio producer who was the victim of a random assault in Toronto last week has died, the public broadcaster confirms.
Militant who killed 101 at Pakistan mosque wore uniform
A suicide bomber who killed 101 people at a mosque in northwest Pakistan this week had disguised himself in a police uniform and did not raise suspicion among guards, the provincial police chief said on Thursday.
New opera by Haitian-Canadian composer puts Black performers, stories in spotlight
When the opera 'La Flambeau' premieres next week in Montreal, Black performers will be front and centre in an artistic medium where they have historically been under-represented.
Ukrainian rescuers dig through rubble as Russia strikes civilian target
Top European Union officials arrived in Kyiv on Thursday for talks with Ukrainian officials as rescue crews dug through the rubble of an apartment building in eastern Ukraine struck by a Russian missile, killing at least three people and wounding about 20 others.
After Tyre Nichols funeral, Biden faces pressure on policing
In Washington progress on police brutality appears difficult, if not unlikely. Bipartisan efforts to reach an agreement on policing legislation stalled more than a year ago, and President Joe Biden ended up instead signing an executive order named for George Floyd, whose murder at the hands of Minneapolis police set off nationwide protests nearly three years ago.