Mike Le Couteur of Global News reports on broad concerns over new measures proposed under Bill 96. “What it actually does is eliminate our individual rights and freedoms, and not just for English speakers (but) for all Quebecers,” says Marlene Jennings, president of the Quebec Community Groups Network. Some, including former Parti Québécois language minister … Read more
Speakers at the Quebec Community Groups Network Bill 96 hearing painted a grim picture of what life for English-speakers in Quebec could look like under the sweeping language reform. On Sept. 17, during the final of five virtual hearings organized by QCGN that took place earlier this month, Lord Reading Law Society human rights chair … Read more
Callers and guests talk about Bill 96, the CAQ’s proposed new language legislation, as the government starts a public consultation at the National Assembly. Listen here
Canadians have voted, and the results from the 44th federal election are in! The Quebec Community Groups Network (QCGN) wishes to thank all candidates, political parties, and volunteers for the work they put into the election, and those who took the time to vote. “We extend our congratulations to the Liberal Party of Canada, which … Read more
What do the federal election results mean to Quebecers? QCGN President Marlene Jennings joins Global’s Laura Casella with her reaction on the latest results. Watch here
Today marks the start of hearings of the National Assembly Committee on Culture and Education on Bill 96, An Act Respecting French, the Official and Common Language of Québec. This represents a critical part of our democratic process even though regrettably only a very limited number of Quebecers have been asked to share their views … Read more
Once upon a time in the West, the law was determined by, enforced, and adjudicated by the ruler. But the ruler was not subject to the law. He or she was placed above the law. The ruler was sovereign and considered immune, with a divine source of power… Two things happened. The nobility – which … Read more
Kevin Shaar, vice-President of the QCGN, delivers the closing remarks on the final day of the QCGN’s Public Hearings on Bill 96, An Act respecting French, the official and common language of Québec. Read more
As Canadians head to the polls Monday, English-speaking Quebecers are confronted with an unprecedented set of proposed violations of our fundamental rights and freedoms. Unfortunately, few candidates and none of the main political parties have pledged to defend our community from these recent attacks – or to safeguard Canada’s linguistic duality. Read more
Christopher Neal and Julie Barlow, a board member and president of the Quebec Writers’ Federation explain that they feel the need to speak out against Bill 96, even as allies of the French language: “While it claims to protect and promote French, [it] would do so at the expense of truth, rigour and respect for … Read more
Quebec’s Bill 96, An Act respecting French, the official and common language of Québec would add the following paragraph to the preamble of the Charter of the French Language: “Whereas, in accordance with parliamentary sovereignty, it is incumbent on the Parliament of Québec to confirm the status of French as the official language and the … Read more
When it adopted the Charter of the French Language more than 40 years ago, the Quebec National Assembly embraced an enduring and essential commitment: to pursue the Charter’s objectives “in a spirit of fairness and open-mindedness, respectful of the institutions of the English-speaking community of Quebec, and respectful of the ethnic minorities, whose valuable contribution … Read more