What will new language bills mean for English-speaking Quebecers? Advocacy groups aims to find out
An English-rights advocacy group is looking into what Quebec's Bill 96 and Ottawa's Bill C-32 will mean for the province's English-speaking community.
The Quebec Community Groups Network hosted a conference Tuesday morning with participants from both Ottawa and Quebec taking part.
Federal Official Languages Minister Melanie Joly defended Bill C-32, which includes the strengthening of the Official Languages Act.
“Some provinces, including Quebec, are saying that that they have sole jurisdiction over language. We fundamentally disagree, and that’s why we wanted to table this important legislation -- to assert our jurisdiction, to make sure that all services at the federal level will continue to be in both official languages, from coast to coast to coast,” said Joly.
While Ottawa vows to protect the French language, Joly also said it will not be to the detriment of English-speaking Quebecers, adding that Ottawa tabled this bill to assert its jurisdiction over language matters.
The QCGN is hosting the conference to open up the discussion about Quebec's place in Canada. It also aims to bring forward the community's concerns over these language bills, including Quebec's Bill 96, meant to affirm that French is the province's only official language and the common language of a Quebec nation.
One conference participant, John Buck of Community Economic Development and Employability, said he feels the English community in Quebec is threatened economically, is more disadvantaged than the French-speaking majority and also has a higher unemployment rate and lower median income.
Buck said he is concerned about these legislations.
“It is important to reiterate, the English-speaking community of Quebec fully supports all measures that will protect and promote French in Quebec and across Canada,” he said. “There can be no mistake, however, that our profound, and continued, support for the French language -- which we demonstrate daily, in living and working with our neighbours, co-workers or friends in Quebec -- can be construed as acquiescence to any activity or reduce or limit the viability of our community, its rights, and its institutions. However, it would not be an overstatement to indicate to... that the English-speaking community of Quebec is feeling abandoned and ignored in the federal reform.”
Quebec MNA Christopher Skeete, who serves as the parliamentary assistant to Premier Francois Legault for relations with English-speaking Quebecers, defended Bill 96.
Skeete said that Quebec has an agreed-upon language, which is French, that it is unique and special and should be protected.
He also added that Bill 96 does not infringe the rights of English-speaking Quebecers to get access to services such as health care.
The QCGN said it will come up with recommendations to ensure both bills respect the rights of English-speaking Quebecers.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING King Charles' cancer treatment progressing well, says Buckingham Palace
King Charles III’s doctors are 'sufficiently pleased' with his cancer treatment and he is expected to return to public-facing duties, Buckingham Palace announced on Friday.
Orca calf that was trapped in B.C. lagoon for weeks swims free
An orca whale calf that has been stranded in a B.C. lagoon for weeks after her pregnant mother died swam out on her own early Friday morning.
AFN chief says Air Canada offered a 15% discount after her headdress was mishandled
After the Assembly of First Nations' national chief complained to Air Canada about how staffers treated her and her ceremonial headdress on a flight this week, she says the airline responded by offering a 15 per cent discount on her next flight.
Regina police officer injured after being accidentally shot by fellow officer's gun
An investigation is underway after a Regina police officer was accidentally shot by a fellow officer’s gun during the search of a house early Friday morning.
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau on navigating post-political life, co-parenting and freedom
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau says there is 'still so much love' between her and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, as they navigate their post-separation relationship co-parenting their three children.
DEVELOPING Bird flu outbreaks: WHO weighs in on public health risk
The current overall public health risk posed by the H5N1 bird flu virus is low, the World Health Organization said on Friday, but urged countries to stay alert for cases of animal-to-human transmission.
Taylor Swift dons Montreal designer's dress in 'Fortnight' video
A pair of Montreal designers' work has now been viewed over 41 million times. Taylor Swift dons a Victorian throwback black gown in her latest music video, 'Fortnight', designed by UNTTLD due Simon Belanger and Jose Manuel Saint-Jacques.
From faulty kids' cribs to flammable kids' bathrobes, here are the recalls of the week
Health Canada issued recalls for various items this week, including kids’ bathrobes, cribs and henna cones.
Island near Mull of Kintyre for sale for US$3.1 million
An idyllic 453-acre private island is up for sale off the west coast of Scotland and it comes with sandy beaches, puffins galore, seven houses, a pub, a helipad and a flock of black-faced sheep.