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
The “third way” is an illusion — a comforting fantasy for many Quebecers who would rather avoid making a choice. “An independent Quebec within a strong Canada” is how Yvon Deschamps, the province’s legendary standup comic, once summed up Quebecers’ preferred political future. This is the so-called “third way” — neither separatist nor federalist — … Read more
It’s been an honour to serve as Commissioner of Official Languages of Canada. Here are my closing thoughts, says Raymond Théberge. As my mandate as Commissioner of Official Languages draws to a close, there is no question that Canada is facing many challenges. Economic hardship, international turmoil and conflicts abound, and the tectonic plates of … 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
The new year can be expected to be just as tumultuous as the last, but we can find some welcome counterweights to the despair many have felt. If past is prologue, can the English-speaking community of Quebec be optimistic as it stares into a 2026 expected to be just as tumultuous as 2025? In one … 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