'You don't need to show us your Grade 3 report card': Cote Saint-Luc makes dig at Bill 96 in phone greeting
It's the City of Côte Saint-Sass.
Côte Saint-Luc, a Montreal-area municipality with official bilingual status, is laying the sarcasm on thick Friday in response to new provisions of Quebec's controversial language law, Bill 96.
Call the city's hotline, and this is what you'll hear:
If you'd like service in English, press two. And by the way, you don't need to show us your Grade 3 report card, or your family tree going back ten generations. And you don't have to pinky-promise anything. This is the City of Côte Saint-Luc, and that's how we roll.
(Watch the video above to hear it for yourself).
The message is a cheeky -- if not downright shady -- dig at changes made to Montreal's 311 helpline on Thursday.
According to the 311 automated message, callers must now attest "in good faith" they can receive services in English, i.e. that they're covered by one of the following exceptions:
- if you are a person declared eligible to receive English Education;
- if you're an Indigenous person;
- if you are a recently arrived immigrant residing in Quebec for less than six months;
- if you are calling from outside Quebec;
- or if you corresponded solely in English with the City of Montreal prior to May 13, 2021.
The message then instructs the caller to "please press two" if they attest (or to press one for French).
Similar messages were added to websites like that of the City of Montreal, Quebec's alcohol retailer (SAQ), and Quebec 511, used to monitor road conditions in the province.
CHANGES TO LANGUAGE LAW
The disclaimers are the product of a Bill 96 provision that requires civil administration to use French in an "exemplary manner."
It's one of several June 1, 2023 changes to Bill 96, An Act respecting French, the official and common language of Québec.
The law, enacted in June 2022, was designed to protect the use of French in Quebec. However, its limitations on English use in certain settings have prompted protests, court challenges, and concerns from English-language groups.
The City of Côte Saint-Luc was officially recognized as a bilingual municipality in 2005. Community officials have openly criticized Bill 96 since its inception, with city council passing multiple resolutions opposing it.
With files from CTV's Joe Lofaro.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Canadian gov't proposes new foreign influence registry as part of wide-spanning new bill
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's government is proposing a suite of new measures and law changes aimed at countering foreign interference in Canada, amid extensive scrutiny over past meddling attempts and an ever-evolving threat landscape.
Boeing Starliner capsule's first crewed test flight postponed
The long-awaited first crewed test flight of Boeing's new Starliner space capsule was called off for at least 24 hours over a technical issue that launch teams were unable to resolve in time for the planned Monday night lift-off.
Teacher charged in historical sexual assault of Calgary teenage girl
Calgary police have charged a teacher with the alleged sexual assault of a teenage girl more than 20 years ago.
Winnipeg man admits to killing four women, argues he's not criminally responsible
Defence lawyers of Jeremy Skibicki have admitted in court the accused killed four Indigenous women, but argues he is not criminally responsible for the deaths by way of mental disorder – this latest development has triggered a judge-alone trial rather than a jury trial.
Man banned from owning animals after fatal Calgary dog attack
The owner of three Calgary dogs that got loose and mauled a woman to death in 2022 has been ordered to pay a $15,000 fine within one year and banned from owning any animal for 15 years.
East-end Ottawa family dealing with massive rat infestation
Residents in Ottawa’s Elmridge Gardens complex are dealing with a rat infestation that just won’t go away. Now, after doing everything they can to try to fix the issue, they are pleading with the city to step in and help.
Mediterranean staple may lower your risk of death from dementia, study finds
A daily spoonful of olive oil could lower your risk of dying from dementia, according to a new study by Harvard scientists.
An El Nino-less summer is coming. Here's what that could mean for Canada
As Canadians brace themselves for summer temperatures, forecasters say a weakening El Nino cycle doesn’t mean relief from the heat.
Newfoundland and Labrador latest province to tighten rules on Airbnbs
Newfoundland and Labrador is the latest jurisdiction to bring in stricter rules for short-term rentals, with a coming set of regulations that will force operators to register with the provincial government.