Officially bilingual? Canadian Party of Quebec leader vows to protect language, minority rights
The leader of the Canadian Party of Quebec (CaPQ) is promising fundamental changes to Quebec’s government society in the midst of the provincial election campaign.
In an interview with CTV News, Colin Standish discussed official bilingualism, immigration, minority rights, the economy, and his party’s role in the election.
Watch the video above for the full interview with CTV News
And while Standish was not invited to the first French-language debate Thursday evening, he aims to replace the incumbent premier François Legault.
This will be the first provincial election for the CaPQ, a party that was only founded in June. But Standish has prepared a number of key policies for this race:
ENGLISH AS AN OFFICIAL LANGUAGE
The CaPQ has ambitious — and for some, controversial — goals for anglophones, which include turning Quebec into an officially bilingual province.
In fact, Standish believes that English is already a defacto official language of Quebec.
"French has never been the only official language in Quebec. It's one of those myths that's been repeated so much," he said. "English has been an official language of the province of Quebec, provincially, since 1763."
The CaPQ’s platform would ensure that all services are available in English and French on equal grounds. This includes English-language schooling for all Quebecers, regardless of their mother tongue and origin.
"Every law, every regulation, the courts, the National Assembly; they have to function equally in English as they do in French," he said. "So, the idea that French is the only official language is simply untrue."
MINORITY RIGHTS AND IMMIGRATION
Standish’s party pledged "unconditional, unequivocal opposition" to the new French-language law, commonly known as Bill 96, and the secularism law, Bill 21, passed by Legault’s Coalition Avenir Québec (CAQ) party.
He says respecting the Canadian constitution as well as human rights and freedoms is part of the CaPQ’s core principles.
"I’d love to debate on minority rights, on language rights, on turning back the tide of Quebec nationalism that has distorted so much of our public debate in the last 60 years," he said.
As for immigration, Standish did not specify how many newcomers he wants to welcome into Quebec annually — a number that varies widely in the election platforms from the five major political parties.
"It should be set by experts who would regularly consult with the economy. I don't think it should be made by politicians, it should be a rational decision. [...] And to increase numbers is where we would stand on that subject," he said, seeming to agree, in part, with a campaign promise from Québec solidaire.
Standish added that he wouldn’t seek more leverage for provincial control over immigration since he believes such decisions should be shared with the federal government.
TACKLING INFLATION
As Quebecers deal with the highest inflation rate since 1991, Standish plans to cut the Quebec sales tax (QST) from 9.975 to 8 per cent
"[This would] give people immediate relief. When they go to the stores, pump gas at the pump or buy anything, you really feel it day to day," he said.
To offset the revenue lost from tax cuts, the CaPQ would create two new tax brackets for high-income Quebecers.
Standish also claimed that Bill 96, Bill 21, and Bill 40 (the education law which replaced school boards with service centres) act as "artificial impediments" to economic growth.
If elected, the CaPQ leader would also abolish Revenu Québec, which he claimed would save Quebecers $500 million, as the rest of Canada uses the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) system.
ELECTION STRATEGY
While the CAQ stays dominant in the polls and the Liberals struggle to keep their anglophone base, the CaPQ could split the English votes even more, which could help Legault to secure another majority government.
Standish, however, said he believes otherwise.
"If I thought I was helping François Legault, there's no way I would be doing what I'm doing," he said.
The CaPQ leader aims to dismantle the Liberals’ "monopoly" over the non-francophone vote, claiming that the party "betrayed and abandoned minorities" after their handling of Bills 21 and 96.
"We need fierce opposition to what Mr. Legault is doing to this country, to this province, to basic human rights, and to language rights. The Canadian Party will stand up and fight tooth and nail for everyone's rights, day after day for the next four years, if we're elected."
As of now, only three per cent of Montreal and Laval residents would vote for the CaPQ, according to Léger’s poll from Sept. 10.
The party has a total of 18 candidates running for office on Oct. 3, according to its website, with Standish hoping to win a seat in the Westmount–Saint-Louis riding.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Helicopter carrying Iran's hard-line president apparently crashes in foggy, mountainous region
A helicopter carrying Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi, the country's foreign minister and other officials apparently crashed in the mountainous northwest reaches of Iran on Sunday, sparking a massive rescue operation in a fog-shrouded forest as the public was urged to pray.
'A horrible way to start the summer': 3 killed in serious boat crash on lake north of Kingston, Ont.
Three people were killed and five others were injured Saturday night following a boat crash on the Buck Bay area of Bobs Lake, north of Kingston, Ont., the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) said.
4 homes lost due to wildfire near Fort Nelson, B.C.
A wildfire burning near Fort Nelson, B.C., completely destroyed four homes and damaged six more properties, according to an update from the Northern Rockies Regional Municipality.
Walmart, Costco refusing to sign grocery code of conduct 'untenable': industry minister
Industry Minister Francois-Philippe Champagne says it's 'untenable' for 'smaller players' like Walmart and Costco to delay signing on to the government- and industry-led grocery code of conduct, now that industry giant Loblaw has agreed to do so.
Ottawa driver who appeared to be racing another vehicle on Highway 416 facing charges
The Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) says an Ottawa driver is facing charges after being caught going 187 km/h on Highway 416.
Canadian immigration asks medical worker fleeing Gaza if he treated Hamas fighters
Lawyers are questioning Canada’s approach to screening visa applications for people in Gaza with extended family in Canada after one applicant, a medical worker, was asked whether he had treated members of Hamas.
VIDEO Born without front legs, this dog has been inspiring the world for 3 years: Dresden farm owner
A sanctuary dedicated to animals with disabilities is celebrating the third birthday of one of its most popular residents.
French security forces work to regain control of airport highway in violence-scorched New Caledonia
Using armoured vehicles and backhoes to shove aside charred barricades, French security forces worked Sunday to retake control of the highway to the international airport in violence-scorched New Caledonia, shuttered because of deadly unrest wracking the French Pacific archipelago where indigenous people have long sought independence from France.
Diddy admits beating ex-girlfriend Cassie, says he's sorry, calls his actions 'inexcusable'
Sean 'Diddy' Combs admitted Sunday that he beat his ex-girlfriend in a hotel hallway in 2016 after CNN released video of the attack, saying in a video apology he was 'truly sorry' and his actions were 'inexcusable.'