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
Quebec nurse had to clean up after husband's death in Montreal hospital
On a night she should have been mourning, a nurse from Quebec's Laurentians region says she was forced to clean up her husband after he died at a hospital in Montreal.
Cuban government apologizes to Montreal-area family after delivering wrong body
Cuba's foreign affairs minister has apologized to a Montreal-area family after they were sent the wrong body following the death of a loved one.
What is changing about Canada's capital gains tax and how does it impact me?
The federal government's proposed change to capital gains taxation is expected to increase taxes on investments and mainly affect wealthy Canadians and businesses. Here's what you need to know about the move.
'Anything to win': Trudeau says as Poilievre defends meeting protesters
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is accusing Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre of welcoming 'the support of conspiracy theorists and extremists,' after the Conservative leader was photographed meeting with protesters, which his office has defended.
Northern Ont. lawyer who abandoned clients in child protection cases disbarred
A North Bay, Ont., lawyer who abandoned 15 clients – many of them child protection cases – has lost his licence to practise law.
Boeing's financial woes continue, while families of crash victims urge U.S. to prosecute the company
Boeing said Wednesday that it lost US$355 million on falling revenue in the first quarter, another sign of the crisis gripping the aircraft manufacturer as it faces increasing scrutiny over the safety of its planes and accusations of shoddy work from a growing number of whistleblowers.
Bank of Canada officials split on when to start cutting interest rates
Members of the Bank of Canada's governing council were split on how long the central bank should wait before it starts cutting interest rates when they met earlier this month.
Fair in Ontario, flurries in Labrador: Weather systems make for an erratic spring
"It's a bit of a complicated pattern; we've got a lot going on," said Jennifer Smith of the Meteorological Service of Canada in an interview with CTVNews.ca on Wednesday. "[As is] typical with weather, all of these things are related."
Police tangle with students in Texas and California as wave of campus protest against Gaza war grows
Police tangled with student demonstrators in Texas and California while new encampments sprouted Wednesday at Harvard and other colleges as school leaders sought ways to defuse a growing wave of pro-Palestinian protests.