“Our minority – indeed all Quebecers – now live in a ‘Charter free zone’ where our fundamental human rights have been vacated in the name of protecting and promoting the French language,” Eva Ludvig, QCGN president, tells a Senate hearing on the new Official Languages Act: “This is the principal reason why the QCGN has … Read more
The lives and prospects of some 1,500 vulnerable young people and seniors across English-speaking Quebec have been tangibly and substantially improved with completion of a second round of projects through the Community Innovation Fund (CIF). Managed through community partnerships, these CIF 2.0 projects have put $1.1 million of funding to work over the past three … Read more
The Quebec Community Groups Network called on senators to work to remove the controversial references to Quebec’s Bill 101 within the federal Bill C-13 during their time before the senate committee studying the proposed language legislation on Monday. “We remain deeply concerned about the effects of Bill C-13 on the English-speaking community of Quebec and … Read more
Leaving the references to Bill 101 within Bill C-13 would be a blow to the rights of English-speaking Quebecers, the Quebec Community Groups Network (QCGN) tells a Senate committee studying the proposed federal legislation. “[W]hen something is in law, we don’t know how that will be interpreted, not only at the court but also by … Read more
The Quebec Community Groups Network (QCGN) has warned a Senate committee that Bill C-13 could have serious negative effects on Quebec’s English-speaking community and on Official Language Minority Communities across the country. The Senate Standing Committee on Official Languages is studying Bill C-13, An Act for the Substantive Equality of Canada’s Official Languages. The bill … Read more
“The charter (of the French Language) is a threat for us,” says QCGN Board Member Joan Fraser, speaking before the Senate committee on official languages studying Bill C-13, which makes several references to the charter. Read more
Including references to Bill 101 within Bill C-13 sets a precedent for provincial governments outside of Quebec to adopt legislation that undermines the rights of francophone minority communities, the Quebec Community Groups Network tells senators. Read more
The incremental step taken last Thursday to further implement Bill 96 “creates … more confusion,” says Eva Ludvig, president of the Quebec Community Groups Network (QCGN). Read more
Bill C-13 has received criticism from English-speaking Quebecers and several senators for driving a wedge between linguistic minorities. The Senate’s Official Languages committee will hear input on Monday from experts and communities affected by the proposed legislation. Speaking on behalf of the QCGN will be President Eva Ludvig and Board Member Joan Fraser. Read more
English-speaking Montrealers looking to use the city’s information line, 311, will now have to listen to a 40-second message detailing who has the right to receive services in English under the Charter of the French Language. “This is where we really start seeing the impact of Bill 96,” comments QCGN President Eva Ludvig. Read more
Quebec’s Bill 101 should not be referenced in Bill C-13, as its inclusion in the federal bill could be seen as an endorsement of the notwithstanding clause, says Senator Tony Loffreda. The QCGN, which has voiced its opposition to this reference, says its representatives have been invited to discuss their concerns about Bill C-13 on … Read more
As of today, employees of government agencies will be required to serve clients in French only, unless the client has English-language rights or is a new immigrant. This measure, included in Bill 96, will require the “good faith” of clients to be truthful about whether they qualify for English services. QCGN President Eva Ludvig expresses … Read more