Letter to the Minister of the French Language

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According to these reports, election workers have been provided with specific questions to determine whether a voter qualifies to receive assistance in English. Those who do not meet these criteria are to be informed that the conversation must continue in French. 

Whatever the precise requirements of the Charter of the French Language, surely the administration of an election should be guided first and foremost by the principle that every eligible voter must be able to participate fully and without unnecessary barriers. Voting is a fundamental democratic right. The electoral process should not become a forum in which additional obstacles are placed between citizens and the exercise of that right. 

We recognize that Élections Québec has an obligation to operate within the applicable legislative framework. However, requiring voters to establish their eligibility to communicate in English risks creating confusion and discouraging participation. Élections Québec itself has confirmed that it relies on a voter’s declaration and does not require documentary proof. We therefore question why this additional line of questioning is necessary. 

We urge you to work with Élections Québec to eliminate this unnecessary line of questioning and instead rely on the good faith and common sense of Quebec voters. A person who asks to communicate with an election worker in English should not have to navigate an eligibility test before being able to understand and participate in the voting process. 

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