Official Languages Act: MPs reject Quebec's first 2 requested amendments
The Quebec government suffered a setback Tuesday when two amendments to Bill C-13, to modernize the federal Official Languages Act were rejected after heated debate in parliamentary committee.
Anthony Housefather, a Liberal MP from Montreal, took issue when the Bloc Québécois tabled an amendment aimed primarily at recognizing the language planning that Quebec has provided for in its Charter of the French Language.
"To mention the Charter of the French Language in this bill is essentially to say that we accept that only certain English-speaking Quebecers should be served in English: only those who have access to English schools," he said in English. "It's also to say we accept using the notwithstanding clause preemptively."
Housefather later proposed that any reference to the Charter of the French Language be removed from the bill, sponsored by his own party's official languages minister.
In response to concerns about being subject to provincial legislation, Conservative Bernard Généreux said his party isn't giving the Quebec government "carte blanche" since C-13 already provides for regular review of the law.
The New Democratic Party (NDP) once again held the deciding vote. In a very brief speech, MP Niki Ashton said she was concerned about "the order of priority between the two laws," namely the Official Languages Act and the Charter of the French Language as amended in June by Bill 96. She then voted against the Bloc amendment.
In a press scrum, Ashton tried to explain her decision by saying that the vote was on an aspect of the preamble to the law.
"It's all symbolic in the preamble," she said. "We didn't agree with the order of priority, but that doesn't mean we don't respect the Charter (of the French language) or the need to enforce the Charter."
Moments later, Bloc Québécois official languages critic Mario Beaulieu said he was surprised by the NDP vote.
Their eventual support for the application of the Charter of the French Language to businesses under federal jurisdiction — an amendment that is expected to pass thanks to a consensus by the opposition — implies "that they agree to a certain extent that Quebec must be the master of its linguistic development," Beaulieu said.
'FRENCH AS A COMMON LANGUAGE?'
The second amendment that sowed the seeds of discord affirmed that French is the common language of Quebec, which the Liberals couldn't accept. Ashton and Ontario Conservative MP Marilyn Gladu both voted against it and did not explain their decisions.
"I don't see why this word is necessary. It's the official language, yes, French. But to add the word 'common' could imply obligations according to someone's interpretation in the future," pleaded Marc Garneau, the Liberal MP for Notre-Dame-de-Grâce-Westmount.
His colleague, MP Patricia Lattanzio of Saint-Léonard-Saint-Michel, then stated in English that this "new notion" is not defined "anywhere." However, an expert from the Department of Canadian Heritage told her that this term is well and truly defined in the Charter of the French Language.
"The common language means the language of convergence, the language that brings everyone together," said Beaulieu, the Bloc MP who tabled the amendment requested by the Quebec government, to reporters.
"If we want to have a coherent society, (we) have to be able to talk to each other at some point."
Beaulieu said the Charter of the French Language "does not take anything away from anglophones" and said he has the impression that those who object to it "do not accept (...) that Quebec society integrates immigrants."
The Standing Committee on Official Languages has scheduled up to six more meetings for clause-by-clause consideration of the bill.
One of the highlights of the bill's study is expected to come in the next few weeks when MPs vote on an amendment to make private companies under federal jurisdiction subject to the Charter of the French Language, as called for by the Quebec government.
The parties have already weighed in: the Liberals are against it, but the Conservatives, the Bloc and the NDP are in favour, which should allow the amendment to pass, barring a blowout.
Bill C-13 establishes a new right to work and be served in French in Quebec and in "regions with a strong francophone presence" in other provinces in private companies under federal jurisdiction, such as banks, airlines or railways.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published in French on Jan. 31, 2023.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Widow looking for answers after Quebec man dies in Texas Ironman competition
The widow of a Quebec man who died competing in an Ironman competition is looking for answers.
Amid concerns over 'collateral damage' Trudeau, Freeland defend capital gains tax change
Facing pushback from physicians and businesspeople over the coming increase to the capital gains inclusion rate, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his deputy Chrystia Freeland are standing by their plan to target Canada's highest earners.
Tom Mulcair: Park littered with trash after 'pilot project' is perfect symbol of Trudeau governance
Former NDP leader Tom Mulcair says that what's happening now in a trash-littered federal park in Quebec is a perfect metaphor for how the Trudeau government runs things.
Wildfire southwest of Peace River spurs evacuation order
People living near a wildfire burning about 15 kilometres southwest of Peace River are being told to evacuate their homes.
World seeing near breakdown of international law amid wars in Gaza and Ukraine, Amnesty says
The world is seeing a near breakdown of international law amid flagrant rule-breaking in Gaza and Ukraine, multiplying armed conflicts, the rise of authoritarianism and huge rights violations in Sudan, Ethiopia and Myanmar, Amnesty International warned Wednesday as it published its annual report.
Train derailed in Sarnia after colliding with a truck
Police are investigating after a transport truck collided with a train in Sarnia.
Fewer medical students going into family medicine contributing to doctor shortage
As some family doctors are retiring and others are moving away from family medicine, there are fewer medical students to take their place.
'It's discriminatory': Individuals refused entry to Ontario legislature for wearing keffiyeh
Individuals being barred from entering Ontario’s legislature while wearing a keffiyeh say the garment is part of their cultural identity— and the only ones making it political are the politicians banning it.
Bodies found by U.S. authorities searching for missing B.C. kayakers
United States authorities who have been searching for a pair of missing kayakers from British Columbia since the weekend have recovered two bodies in the nearby San Juan Islands of Washington state.