News

TALQ’s new identity reflects a broader membership base and a sharper focus on legislation, language rights and municipal practices as English-speaking Quebecers prepare for an uncertain provincial election and changes to the federal official-languages framework. Sylvia Martin-Laforge said in an Aug. 6 interview that the organization’s rebranding was not simply a change of name or … Read more

Unhappy with the absence of an English-language leaders’ debate ahead of the upcoming provincial election, elected officials in the Township of Low, located in the Gatineau Valley, are criticizing the stance taken by the major political parties. … The elected officials in Low are calling on the five parties to “commit unconditionally to fully participating … Read more

Concordia University Television interviews president Eva Ludvig on the cancelation of the English Language Debate for 2026 Provincial Election. In an interview on CUTV’s The Debrief, TALQ president Eva Ludvig says the cancellation of an English-language leaders’ debate is a missed opportunity for more than one million English-speaking Quebecers. “We believe that political leaders seeking … Read more

Some anglophone voters in Quebec are expressing disappointment that there will be no English-language leaders’ debate ahead of the provincial election after major parties declined to participate. Advocates say an English-language debate would give Quebec’s English-speaking community an opportunity to hear directly from party leaders on issues affecting them and would help ensure their concerns … Read more

Il n’y aura pas de débat en anglais pour les prochaines élections québécoises. On parle à la communauté anglophone en réaction. Entrevue avec Sylvia Martin Laforge, directrice générale de TALQ. TALQ is glad to be called and will always participate when French media reach out to us. As advocates for the English-speaking community of Quebec, … Read more

Second straight campaign where the Coalition Avenir Québec and Parti Québécois have declined to participate in a debate in English. There will not be an English-language debate during the upcoming Quebec provincial election. The Quebec English news media consortium invited the leaders of each of the five main Quebec political parties to a 90-minute English-language debate … Read more

“I definitely felt not French enough,” said Samantha Restall, reflecting on her early experiences in the province’s workforce. “I knew that if I didn’t speak French, I wouldn’t have a choice to stay here.” For Claire Dooley, who moved from Vancouver to Montreal five years ago, the challenge was never deciding whether she wanted to … Read more

Anglophone advocacy groups are feeling cautiously optimistic about the Quebec liberal party’s French language protection plan.   The plan, unveiled on Tuesday by leader Charles Milliard seems to hold much promise at over $340 million. Milliard continues to tout the language policy he would implement if his party wins the provincial election in October.  It … Read more

Kelly Burke says her office will continue intervening in court cases involving minority-language rights, particularly when they touch on education. Canada’s new official languages commissioner on Friday acknowledged anglophone Quebecers’ frustrations in recent years and vowed to stand up for linguistic minorities when governments attempt to thwart their rights. “We cannot chip away at rights, … Read more

Newly appointed Official Languages Commissioner, Kelly Burke, is making her first public address in Quebec at the TALQ symposium.   Click below to listen to the conversation.

Kelly Burke is keynote speaker at TALQ-sponsored event. The event was followed by a panel discussion with community and sector leaders discussing key issues for the English-speaking community.   Listen at the 6:48 minute-mark in this news cast.

“This bill was part of a divisive government agenda that includes Bill 96, 21 and 84, among others.” QUEBEC — Human rights organizations, unions, minority groups and opposition politicians cheered the news on Thursday that the Coalition Avenir Québec government is abandoning its attempt to create a Quebec constitution. “Victory,” Québec solidaire MNA Haroun Bouazzi told reporters. “We … Read more

Quebec’s French language minister conceded the adoption of the bill before next week’s adjournment isn’t guaranteed.   QUEBEC — Minority groups, English-language school boards and Quebec’s largest employer association are warning about the potential damage to the economy and education system if Quebec goes ahead with legislation to extend the rules of the Charter of the French … Read more

MONTREAL – The Quebec government has introduced a bill that would force people seeking training in fields such as machining, cabinet making and professional cooking to study in French. The legislation, tabled Thursday, expands the province’s strict language laws to adult education and vocational training, drawing criticism from English school boards, community groups and a … Read more

TALQ Director General Sylvia-Martin Laforge says Christine Fréchette’s message to the English-speaking community needs to be followed by concrete action. TALQ says Premier Christine Fréchette’s recent message of reassurance to anglophones must be backed up by concrete action, not just words. Director General Sylvia Martin-Laforge says the English-speaking community in Quebec has “been down this … Read more

Despite a recommendation by the province’s language commissioner to remove English from government websites, Quebec’s French-language minister has decided to maintain the status quo and allow access to seven specific sites. While the commissioner says that contravenes Quebec’s language law, the English-speaking community is relieved. Listen to the full report below.

A French-language commissioner’s report found that there is too much English on the Quebec government’s websites. Listen to the report by clicking below.

“We’ll keep what I would call the good-faith mechanism that we currently use,” the French language minister said. French Language Minister Jean-François Roberge has dismissed a recommendation that he remove most English from government websites, leaving a limited amount for people who can prove they are eligible. “I’ll tell you right away that we have no intention … Read more

French language commissioner says government websites should be in French only, with limited exceptions. English remains too freely available on Quebec government websites and should be sharply reduced, the province’s French language commissioner says. Content on the websites of seven major government bodies should generally be offered in French only, except in narrowly defined cases covered … Read more

Quebec English-language school boards are warning that the proposed expansion of Bill 101 to vocational and adult education could dramatically reshape English-language education in the province, with one association estimating schools could lose up to 70 per cent of their students. The criticisms come after Quebec French Language Minister Jean‑François Roberge said earlier this month … Read more

Prominent nationalist Frédéric Lapointe has forged an unlikely bond with a Quebec anglophone group. For the second year in a row, francophone sovereignists and anglophone federalists are planning to break bread together at the offices of one of Quebec’s most prominent nationalist organizations. The unlikely dinner — bringing together leaders of the Mouvement national des Québécoises et … Read more

Montreal’s largest English-language school board is denouncing the Quebec government’s plan to extend Bill 101 to adult and vocational education, calling it a “political stunt” that could hurt immigrants, weaken the English school system and worsen labour shortages. The proposed legislation, promised by Premier Christine Fréchette during the Coalition Avenir Québec leadership race, would apply … Read more

The Fréchette government is looking to expand Quebec’s French language charter to include adult and vocational education programs. During a budget study at the National Assembly, French-language Minister Jean-François Roberge said 27,000 students could migrate to the French network as a result of the change. As it stands, Bill 101 does not apply to adult education … Read more

The CAQ’s plan would hurt Quebec’s economy, says English Montreal School Board chair Joe Ortona. Quebec failed to teach immigrants French and now wants to bar them from English vocational schools — a plan that will backfire by driving skilled workers out of the workforce, the head of the province’s largest English school board says. … Read more

Charles Milliard adjusts his remarks to “maybe” after they spark an uproar in the English-speaking community. QUEBEC — Faced with a backlash from the English-speaking community and members of his caucus, Liberal Leader Charles Milliard has adjusted his message on the use of the Constitution’s notwithstanding clause to shield Bill 96 from court challenges. After saying Thursday … Read more