Quebec rolls back proposal forcing English CEGEP students into three French-language classes
Quebec's governing party has tabled an amendment to its language bill, Bill 96, that will soften the requirements for English-speaking CEGEP students.
Students would no longer be required to take three core college classes in French under the new amendment tabled Tuesday by the Coalition Avenir Quebec.
Now, instead of taking three regular courses in French in order to graduate -- the original proposition -- students will now only need to take three French courses where they can continue working on learning the language, if the amendment is adopted.
The change would take effect in fall 2024.
The requirement applies even to rights-holding English students, some of whom have limited French after attending English schools right up until CEGEP.
Critics said these students would risk failing courses in their intended programs if forced to do them in their second language, putting their university admissions in danger.
The move comes after this uproar, including from English CEGEPs and students, over the original proposition, which was tabled by the Liberals in the studies of the bill at the National Assembly.
MNA David Birnbaum initially championed the amendment, but later called it “a mistake” in an interview with CTV.
The Liberals tried to take the proposition back, but other MNAs at the committee blocked the move.
LISTEN ON CJAD 800 RADIO: SJB amends the CEGEP portion of Bill 96
The minister responsible for French, Simon Jolin-Barrette, believes allowing students to keep learning French at their own level is still going to strengthen the language, according to a statement from his office.
“The Minister reflected on the amendment and decided allowing three French classes and not core classes respects the spirit of the bill to ensure Quebecers have a good knowledge of French," said the statement.
This represents a change of heart for Jolin-Barrette, who, when first asked by the Liberals to overturn their initial amendment, refused to hold a vote right away -- instead, the opposition forced a quick vote against his wishes.
ADVOCATES PLEASED, WITH SOME RESERVATIONS
On Tuesday evening, English-speakers' advocates said they were happy with the news, though they were waiting for more details.
"We are relieved," said Katherine Korakakis, the president of ECPA, the English Parents' Committee Association.
"However, there are many questions that still need to be answered," she said.
"What happens with special needs students? What will be done to improve the quality of French in the elementary and high schools?"
There are also a multitude of other problems with Bill 96, she said, that this change doesn't address, including the "freeze" on English CEGEP admissions.
LISTEN ON CJAD 800 RADIO: What do CEGEPs think about this latest amendment to Bill 96?
Colin Standish, who just hours earlier had announced the creation of a new provincial party to defend English-speakers' rights, told CTV News that the rollback doesn't change his plans, or the need for the party, in his opinion -- he's challenging the Liberals, and this is just one example of why, he said.
"It was a poor policy decision nonetheless," he said of the Liberals.
"The [Quebec Liberal Party] has caused this issue through their own decision and their own party policy. It was in their 27-point plan on French, release[d] a month before the Bill 96 was announced."
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING Remembering legendary hockey broadcaster Bob Cole. Oh baby, what a life
Bob Cole, a welcome voice for Canadian hockey fans for a half-century, has died at the age of 90. Born June 24, 1933, the St. John's, N.L., native provided a distinctive soundtrack to Canada's game. He was known for his signature 'Oh baby' call, an expression that was not restricted to hockey arenas.
Harvey Weinstein's 2020 rape conviction overturned by N.Y. appeals court
New York's highest court on Thursday overturned Harvey Weinstein's 2020 rape conviction, reversing a landmark ruling of the #MeToo era in determining the trial judge improperly allowed women to testify about allegations against the ex-movie mogul that weren't part of the case.
Honda to get up to $5B in govt help for EV battery, assembly plants
Honda is set to build an electric vehicle battery plant next to its Alliston, Ont., assembly plant, which it is retooling to produce fully electric vehicles, all part of a $15-billion project that is expected to include up to $5 billion in public money.
MPP Sarah Jama asked to leave Ontario legislature for wearing keffiyeh
MPP Sarah Jama was asked to leave the Legislative Assembly of Ontario by House Speaker Ted Arnott on Thursday for wearing a keffiyeh, a garment that is banned at Queen’s Park.
'Deep ignorance': Calls for Manitoba trustee to resign sparked after comments about Indigenous people and reconciliation
A rural Manitoba school trustee is facing calls to resign over comments he made about Indigenous people and residential schools earlier this week.
CTE: Researchers believe widespread brain injury may contribute to veteran suicide rate
Researchers are working to better understand if some Canadian military veterans may be suffering from Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy, also known as CTE -- a disorder previously found in the brains of professional football and hockey players after their death.
1 arrested in northern Alberta during public shelter order
Residents of John D'Or Prairie, a community on the Little Red River Cree Nation in northern Alberta, were told to take shelter Thursday morning during a police operation.
Secret $70M Lotto Max winners break their silence
During a special winner celebration near their hometown, Doug and Enid shared the story of how they discovered they were holding a Lotto Max ticket worth $70 million and how they kept this huge secret for so long.
Remains from a mother-daughter cold case were found nearly 24 years later, after a deathbed confession from the suspect
A West Virginia father is getting some sense of closure after authorities found the remains of his young daughter and her mother following a deathbed confession from the man believed to have fatally shot them nearly two decades ago.