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Anglo relations one of PQ minister Sarrazin’s many portfolios In the official directory for new MNAs and ministers in the incoming Parti Québécois government, minister “responsible for relations with English-speaking Quebecers” is last on the list of Marie-Claude Sarrazin’s seven portfolios.Top of the list, understandably, is the high-profile and politically fraught job of minister of … Read more
Survey finds most Canadians link official languages to national pride and see them as an asset for expanding trade. Most Canadians say English and French are important to Canada’s identity, contribute to their pride in being Canadian and can help diversify the country’s economy beyond North America, a new federal survey suggests. The findings come … Read more
Newly elected Parti Québécois MNAs attended a training session with former premier Pauline Marois the morning after Premier Paul St-Pierre Plamondon unveiled his cabinet. Although most of the party’s 60 elected members are political newcomers, many bring experience that could help them navigate their new roles in Quebec’s minority government. Long time lawyer and Gallant … Read more
“We only have anecdotal evidence,” said TALQ Director General Sylvia Martin-Laforge, as Élections Québec launches a survey into whether French-only information affected voters. Élections Québec says it received a significant number complaints about language during the election. Now, it wants to know whether French-only information affected some Quebecers’ decision to vote. The elections authority told … Read more
A new study looks at why young English-speaking Quebecers choose to stay in the province — or leave. Across Quebec, English-speaking youth are increasingly bilingual, but historian Simon-Pierre Lacasse says language skills don’t necessarily translate into acceptance. Economic opportunities and a sense of belonging continue to shape those decisions of whether to stay or leave. … Read more
The damage is concrete, measurable and ongoing — the worst record on education of any government in modern Quebec history. For nearly eight years the Coalition Avenir Québec treated education as a convenient target for centralization and control rather than the foundation of Quebec’s future. Grand promises of making education “the first big priority” … Read more
Community leaders want to work with PQ, say minority government invites collaboration In a conference room in Montreal’s Ville-Marie borough, a group of people representing anglophones in different facets were glued to the screen as the Parti Québécois picked up seat after seat in Monday’s general election. They had gathered for a watch party, hosted … Read more
English-rights group TALQ says it is cautiously optimistic about the province’s new Parti Québécois (PQ) government, adding that it is looking forward to working with premier-designate Paul St-Pierre Plamondon on issues concerning the community. “I think people are happy that it’s a minority government, which means that all parties will have to pay attention to … Read more
English-speaking Quebecers react to a PQ minority victory and what it could mean for their rights. Quebec’s new minority Parti Québécois government is promising to work with the province’s English-speaking community, but anglophone organizations and residents say they will be watching closely to see how their rights and priorities are addressed. In his election victory … Read more
Voters stopped short of giving Paul St-Pierre Plamondon a strong mandate to hold a referendum. Will he listen to democracy? The lessons from the not-so-distant past may have been lingering in the back of voters’ minds Monday when Quebecers elected the Parti Québécois to a minority government. Flashback to 1994. A week before the election … Read more
Quebec’s new minority government made several promises to its English-speaking community, but anglophones say they’re approaching the new government with both optimism and skepticism. The Parti Québécois (PQ) was elected to a minority government in Monday’s provincial election, just five seats shy of a majority, meaning it will have to work with opposition parties to … Read more
During Radio Noon, reporter Gabriel Guindy recapped a watch party at TALQ attended by representatives from a range of associations serving Quebec’s English-speaking community. While participants were not surprised by the PQ victory, there was a sense of relief when a minority government was announced, along with a shared hope that the new government will … Read more