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The backlash against Quebec’s Bill 1 continues to grow. Hundreds of organizations across the province are calling on the government to scrap its proposed legislation to create a Quebec constitution. Critics say the process has been flawed from the start and warn it could have far-reaching impacts on minority rights and workers. … Meanwhile, minority … Read more

“When you’re sick, you’re not bilingual.” Senate committee calls on Ottawa to strengthen health-care access for English and French minorities across Canada. A committee has called on Ottawa to strengthen health-care access for English and French minorities across Canada. … In a report released last month, the Senate committee recommended that Ottawa include language clauses in … Read more

Quebec’s so-called constitution bill “should be relegated to the dustbin of history,” according to the head of Quebec’s most prominent anglophone advocacy group. Sylvia Martin-Laforge is the director-general of the organization Talking. Advocating. Living in Quebec (TALQ), an advocacy group that promotes the status of English-speaking Quebecers.  Martin-Laforge recently told the Low Down that TALQ rejects … Read more

The OQLF is sending undercover inspectors into thousands of businesses across Quebec to evaluate whether customers are greeted and served in French, as required under the Charter of the French Language. The visits are part of a province-wide study, not an enforcement operation, and businesses will not be fined or publicly identified; instead, the findings … Read more

Des députés et des sénateurs attendent des réponses plus substantielles du Conseil du Trésor sur l’application de la Loi sur les langues officielles. L’étude d’un projet de règlement prend des allures de casse-tête administratif qui «insécurise» davantage les communautés de langue officielle en situation minoritaire, estiment-ils. Des questions ont été soulevées au cours des trois … Read more

In House of Commons testimony, Kelly Burke wouldn’t say whether she would support Quebec anglophones’ legal challenge to the CAQ’s plan to abolish English school boards.   The new federal official languages commissioner, set to take office next month, is well-positioned to safeguard Canadian bilingualism and “build a stronger, more inclusive Canada,” Prime Minister Mark … Read more

“The concept of collective rights doesn’t make sense to me when a constitution or charter of rights is supposed to protect the minority against the power of the majority,” Robert Libman says. This week, Justice Minister Simon Jolin-Barrette said anglophones are “invaluable”, helped build the province and are full-fledged Quebecers, amid tensions over language and constitutional … Read more

“The Quebec state recognizes all of its citizens, and in particular the anglophone minority in Quebec, who have participated in, contributed to and helped develop Quebec.”   Justice Minister Simon Jolin-Barrette on Tuesday said the Coalition Avenir Québec government recognizes the anglophone community’s “invaluable contribution” to the province, amid tensions over language and constitutional issues.  … Read more

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