'Significantly underfunded': English group asks for more support from Quebec
A group representing English-speaking Quebecers is asking for the province to provide more funding to "significantly underfunded" community groups serving anglophones.
In a pre-budget consultation brief prepared by the Quebec Community Groups Network (QCGN), community groups dedicated to English speakers are said to be struggling to provide essential services.
The QCGN presented the eight-page brief to Finance Minister Éric Girard Tuesday during the annual pre-budget consultation process. The group also met with the minister for the first time since he was appointed to his new role as minister responsible for relations with English-speaking Quebecers.
The organization wants a greater portion of the $1.1 billion Quebec provides to community groups that serve in areas such as youth, seniors and employment. An estimate cited in the brief said English groups have previously received as little as three per cent of the total share.
The QCGN said that the figure should be increased to 15 per cent to reflect the share of anglophones in the Quebec population.
The most recent federal census said the proportion of people in Quebec whose first official language is English rose from 12 per cent in 2016 to 13 per cent in 2021, after the number of English speakers topped one million for the first time.
"We believe we should have an equitable share of funding to serve our group," said Sylvia M. Laforge, the QCGN's director general, in an interview with CTV News on Tuesday.
"It could be the Black community, other racialized communities, LGBT groups, seniors groups, youth groups. So the services that the government cannot give to English-speaking Quebecers because of their lack of capacity, because they don't have enough bilingual workers to give the services has to be taken up by someone. And that costs money. It costs resources. It's administrative money."
She said anglophone groups "felt that they were heard" after their meeting with Girard on Tuesday.
Her organization noted in the brief that with the difficult economic climate, "community sector organizations require additional support to meet increasing demand for the services and support they provide."
CALLS FOR FORMAL HEARINGS ON BILL 96
The same document made a second significant demand: formal parliamentary hearings on the economic impacts of Quebec's new language law, commonly known as Bill 96.
The QCGN said there is a need for a "real and meaningful dialogue" on the English community's concerns about the revamp of the Quebec language charter. The law has exposed concerns about Quebec's ability to attract and retain international business investments, among other things, according to the brief.
A survey commissioned by the group between Dec. 7, 2022 and Jan. 10, 2023 found that 87 per cent of stakeholders from the English-speaking community see negative impacts on Quebec's economy due to Bill 96.
"If Quebec develops an internationally unfavourable reputation based on perceptions of its business landscape being prohibitive, or of its health care and education systems being difficult to access, businesses and the people who drive them will be less likely to want to establish themselves here and contribute to Quebec’s economy," the pre-budget document stated.
With files from CTV's Rob Lurie
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
A 'tragedy that can't be measured': North Bay's forever chemical problem is also the rest of Canada's
For decades, North Bay, Ontario's water supply has harboured chemicals associated with liver and developmental issues, cancer and complications with pregnancy. It's far from the only city with that problem.
opinion How to use your credit card as a powerful wealth-building tool
Irresponsibly using a credit card can land you in financial trouble, but personal finance columnist Christopher Liew says when used properly, it can be a powerful wealth-building tool that can help grow your credit profile and create new opportunities.
Swarm of 20,000 bees gather around woman’s car west of Toronto
A swarm of roughly 20,000 bees gathered around a woman’s car in the parking lot of Burlington Centre.
Which Canadian cities have the highest and lowest grocery prices?
Where you live plays a big factor in what you pay at the grocery store. And while it's no secret the same item may have a different price depending on the store, city or province, we wanted to see just how big the differences are, and why.
Here's what 'the hinge' move is, how to do it correctly
When you're picking something up from the floor or bending over to tie your shoe laces, you're performing "the hinge move," according to movement trainers.
Dashcam video shows terrifying near-miss on two-lane northern Ontario highway
There were some scary moments for several people on a northern Ontario highway caught on video Thursday after a chain reaction following a truck fire.
Trump heading to Jersey Shore to rally 'mega crowd' in weekend break from hush money trial
After a long week in court, Donald Trump is heading to the Jersey Shore. And his campaign says he'll be joined by "tens of thousands" of his friends.
Barron Trump declines to serve as an RNC delegate
Former U.S. President Donald Trump's youngest son, Barron Trump, has declined to serve as a delegate at this summer’s Republican National Convention, according to a senior Trump campaign adviser and a statement from Melania Trump's office.
Quebec woman buys lotto ticket from daughter's store, wins $1 million
A woman from Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean, Que. won $1 million in a Lotto 6/49 draw and she bought the ticket from her daughter's convenience store.