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Quebec Premier François Legault’s use and definition of the term “historic English-speaking community” is cause for concern, according to some in the province’s anglophone community. “The reaction that I’m hearing from English-speaking Quebecers is that it was a self-serving few seconds,” said QCGN director general Sylvia Martin-Laforge, “speaking to us and telling us we were … Read more

Premier François Legault has defined the historic English-speaking community as people who are eligible for English schooling in Quebec. The QCGN says the definition would mean between 300,000 and 500,000 English-speaking Quebecers would be dropped from the list of those entitled to services. The QCGN also challenged Legault’s statement that anglophones are the best treated minority in … Read more

Premier François Legault said Tuesday that despite his rocky relationship with Quebec’s English-speaking community, it is nevertheless the best served minority in Canada and he is proud of that. Legault’s use of the term “historic English-speaking community” will raise some hackles. The English community has complained such language potentially narrows the list of people eligible for services … Read more

With Quebec now officially into an election year, Premier François Legault is set to deliver a new inaugural message Tuesday to the National Assembly, which he hopes will signal a fresh start for his government. Launching a fresh session is useful for Legault. Any bills remaining on the order paper in the previous session automatically … Read more

A bilingual roundtable sponsored by the McGill Institute for the Study of Canada addresses some of the constitutional, legal, and political issues raised by Bill 96. It is moderated by Dean Robert Leckey of McGill University’s Faculty of Law. Panelists include Yves Boisvert of La Presse; lawyers Pierre Foucher (Université d’Ottawa), Julius Grey (Grey Casgrain), … Read more

(Video) “Language is a reflection of one’s culture and identity. No language should be suppressed,” QCGN Board member Eva Ludvig tell City News. Ludvig and Marion Delaronde, artistic director at the Kanien’kehà:ka Onkwawén:na Raotitióhkwa Language and Cultural Centre, reflect on Bill 96, Quebec’s proposed language legislation that would curb the use of languages other than … Read more

Public hearings on the reform of Bill 101 ended on Thursday, after some 50 groups were heard over a three-week period. The testimony provided a portrait of fundamental legislative changes, in addition to raising some important fears, but Bill 96 did not raise the debates of yesteryear. “Like Bill 21, it reshapes Quebec law and society … Read more

Public hearings in Quebec City on Bill 96 have wrapped up. Thirty-nine presentations were made over a nine-day period starting Sept. 23. Many people support the proposed legislation that will upgrade Quebec’s language law, Bill 101, but some Anglophone groups have major concerns fearing the bill will weaken English services in health care, the judiciary … Read more

With an opportunity to speak at the Bill 96 hearings on Wednesday, the Townshippers’ Association reiterated its support for strengthening and protecting the French language, but not through the Quebec government’s proposed new language law. Gerald Cutting, president of the association, told the legislative committee in attendance that the bill is challenging the basic rights … Read more

Gerald Cutting’s words were blunt and, as he said, reflect the thoughts of many English-speaking Quebecers staring down the prospect of a tough new language law. “Can we work together to find solutions that give us the impression this bill doesn’t target us,” the soft-spoken 73-year-old president of the Townshippers’ Association told the legislative committee … Read more

LEARN (Leading English Education and Resource Network) has organized and launched the Quebec Online Alliance (QOA), marking the first time seven English school boards have come together to offer a unified online service to students who have been granted a medical exemption for the 2021-22 school year. Read more