Bill 1 ”represents the culmination of the current government’s now well-known and deeply divisive legislative agenda.” An anglophone rights group says it’s not surprised the Coalition Avenir Québec’s proposed constitution would cast the province as “a monolith, where diversity is a detriment and a threat to one culture and one language.” TALQ says the plan, … Read more
Liberal MP Anthony Housefather says the anglophone community seeks reassurance from the prospective Official Languages Commissioner. The nominee to become Canada’s next Official Languages Commissioner declined Tuesday to say whether she would support the Quebec anglophone community in its legal challenge against the Legault government’s bid to abolish English school boards. Last fall, outgoing … Read more
The provinces’ largest English-language rights advocacy group is raising concerns that the likely future commissioner of official languages comes from outside Quebec’s English-speaking community…. Since the early 1990s, the position has been filled alternately by and anglophone Quebecers and francophones from outside Quebec. The nomination of burke, a Franco-Ontarian, to succeed the Franco-Manitoban Théberge breaks … Read more
As the federal government moves forward with the nomination of Kelly Burke to become Canada’s next commissioner of Official Languages, the head of a Quebec-based minority language advocacy group says English-speaking Quebecers are watching closely and hoping to be understood and respected within Canadas’s evolving language framework. Sylvia Martin-Laforge, Director General of TALQ, said her … Read more
“We want to be reassured that the new commissioner truly understands the situation that Canada’s largest official language minority community is going through here in Quebec.” A Quebec anglophone-rights group says it’s disappointed Ottawa has nominated a francophone to be Canada’s next language watchdog. Since the 1980s, the role of Official Languages Commissioner has alternated … Read more
As part of TALQ’s 30th anniversary celebration, the organization has recognized 30 individuals who have been an integral part of keeping the vitality of the English-speaking community strong. These laureates, chosen from 70+ nominations, are from every corner of the province, every generation, and every walk of life and they reflect the energy, creativity, and … Read more
TALQ, a federation of groups representing the English-speaking community (formerly the Quebec Community Groups Network), released a brief, conciliatory statement recognizing Legault’s career in public service, but the group’s president acknowledged in a later interview that Legault had a complicated and often disappointing relationship with English speakers. “At the beginning, the CAQ made a pitch … Read more
The resignation of Legault caught many off guard. Political pundits have speculated that the Premier would step down but no one thought it would be so soon. And now, as Tim Sargent reports, a wave of reaction is coming in from almost everyone affected – including the English-speaking community – by the policies of his … Read more
As part of TALQ’s 30th anniversary celebration, the organization has recognized 30 individuals who have been an integral part of keeping the vitality of the English-speaking community strong. These laureates, chosen from 70+ nominations, are from every corner of the province, every generation, and every walk of life and they reflect the energy, creativity, and … Read more
Official Languages Minister Marc Miller joined this week’s episode to talk about reaction to his comments on protecting the French language. Marc Miller hasn’t been the minister of Official Languages for long, but he’s already made some noise. The former Justin Trudeau cabinet minister joined Mark Carney’s cabinet in the most recent shuffle, after being … Read more
At the 11:00-minute-mark in the broadcast, TALQ director general Sylvia Martin-Laforge joined CJAD’s Andrew Carter to discuss the lack of English on Santé Quebec’s website. Martin-Laforge says all government bodies have a duty to make English services easy to find through an active offer, instead of forcing users to search through multiple pages. Santé Québec … Read more
While political and business leaders had many kind words to share, unions and community groups had a much different reaction. François Legault’s resignation as premier Wednesday brought an immediate swath of reactions inside the province and across the rest of Canada, including praise from business leaders and political opponents. But there was also a sense of relief … Read more
Vision Gaspé-Percé Now, representing about 10,000 eastern Quebec anglophones and Indigenous people, presents a brief on the third day of public consultations into the government’s Bill 1. QUEBEC — The Coalition Avenir Québec government’s proposed new constitution fails to offer proper recognition and guarantees for the rights of the English-speaking and Indigenous communities, a group … Read more
The proposed Quebec constitution barely acknowledges the English-speaking community and “fails to acknowledge any historic rights,” TALQ says. Premier François Legault’s proposed constitution marks a step toward “dismantling democracy” and should alarm minorities because it would erase historic protections, an anglophone rights group warns. Fundamental rights are the foundation of democracy, and are “integral … Read more
In a two part interview, President Eva Ludvig reacts to the appointment of Mark Miller as minister of Official Languages, Canadian Identity and Culture. Also, Ludvig is asked about TALQ’s opinion on Quebec’s proposed constitution, known as Bill 1. This interview is at the 13:51 mark within the news cast.
Quebec calls its proposed constitution the “law of laws.” Lawyer Marion Sandilands says there are concerns for individual rights and freedoms. Listen to this 5 minute and 42 second video clip from CTV news Montreal.
Hudson arts leader, Clint Ward, says “stay busy or you die”. At 93, he’s not stopping Twenty years ago, Clint Ward co-founded the Hudson Film Society. And for the last decade thanks to a collaboration with Toronto International Film Festival, he’s at the helm of the Hudson Film Festival. He says he’s always loved films. … Read more
Critics say the bills would weaken the ability of citizens and organizations to challenge laws that infringe on the rights of Quebecers Three bills recently presented at Quebec’s National Assembly, including one that was quickly adopted, show signs of an authoritarian drift that threatens the rule of law, according to the head of the organization … Read more
English-language advocacy groups face funding roadblocks Changes to Quebec’s French-language law are creating confusion for English-speaking residents trying to access services, according to a midterm report from Canada’s commissioner of official languages. Raymond Théberge said some health-care workers still struggle to know when they can offer services in English under Law 14, also known as Bill … Read more
Due to confusion over what’s allowed, “members of Quebec English-speaking communities risk being deprived of their right to obtain health care in English.” Confused by Quebec’s tougher French rules, health-care workers are avoiding English, threatening access to care for anglophone Quebecers, the federal language commissioner says. “The strengthening of the Charter of the French … Read more
Constitutional lawyer Julius Grey says Bill 1 portrays Quebec as a “totally different society” from the rest of Canada. The Legault government’s proposed Quebec constitution would reduce rights and freedoms and is meant to “raise tensions” with Ottawa and insulate the province, constitutional and civil-rights lawyer Julius Grey warns. He said Bill 1 — the Quebec … Read more
Legislation lays out vision for province, but critics say it could infringe on individual freedoms Quebec Premier François Legault took many by surprise when, last month, his government introduced a proposed constitution for the province without consulting the population first. The constitution, he said, would protect the common values of the province, including the French language, secularism, … Read more
An anglo rights group says Bill 1 follows the same pattern as other Legault government laws that curtail minority rights, centralize power and limit dissent. A lawyer for an anglophone rights group is warning that Quebec’s proposed constitution would give the government sweeping powers, stifle dissent and make it far harder to challenge laws in … Read more
Celebrating our people is more important than one might think, especially in a time when good news feels rare. Recently, TALQ — the provincial advocacy group for organizations supporting anglophone services — honoured 30 people who make a difference in their communities and who contribute in meaningful, often under-recognized ways. The occasion marked the organization’s … Read more
Antonia Macris is being recognized for her significant contributions and dedication to improving the lives of those around her. She is a passionate youth and community leader with extensive experience as a non-profit director and government manager. Her dedication to supporting Hellenic youth across Canada has earned her both the King Charles III Coronation Medal … Read more