Quebec’s new language reform, Bill 96, proposes to cap the number of places in English-language CEGEPs. It would also give priority to anglophone students. However, the Quebec Community Groups Network (QCGN) said the government should be focusing on ensuring students become bilingual. “(Students) who can fill the needs of business, the businesses already here and … Read more
The English-speaking community loses none of its rights and actually will improve its status with new language legislation tabled this week, the minister responsible for the bill said Friday. “My objective was not to pit the French and English communities against each other. The important thing is to protect French while protecting the anglophone community. … Read more
The Quebec Community Groups Network deeply regrets that proposed changes to the Charter of the French Language override fundamental human rights and will erode the vitality of our English-speaking minority community. “The proposed legislative changes are more far-reaching than we could have ever imagined,” QCGN President Marlene Jennings said following a quick review of Bill … Read more
A group of suburban municipalities with bilingual status is calling for ‘balance’ and ‘respect’ ahead of major language reform set to be tabled in Quebec today. Marlene Jennings, head of the Quebec Community Groups Network, or QCGN, said she finds it “very interesting” the bilingual status for some municipalities could change, given the CAQ’s stance, historically … Read more
The first census in North America was conducted in 1666 by the Intendant of New France, Jean Talon. Going door to door, he recorded the names, ages, genders, and occupations of members of the population. This was the beginning of the national census that would eventually serve as a great contributor to our social development … Read more
Canada’s commissioner of official languages says he shares the concerns of Quebec’s English-speaking minority over proposed reforms to federal language policies. “I do … share the concerns of Quebec’s English-speaking community that the addition of asymmetrical components to the act will undermine the equal status of English and French,” Théberge said in a statement. “I therefore … Read more
Groups working in youth protection hailed Régine Laurent’s report Monday as a way to finally address decades-long failures of the system. The report called for the creation of a charter of rights for children and a commissioner to ensure those rights are upheld. It also called for a shift toward prevention and for more resources for minority … Read more
Who is ready and willing to stick their neck out? Once the much anticipated legislation beefing up Bill 101 is tabled in the National Assembly, who will step up and represent the concerns of minority communities in Quebec? Premier François Legault has already made it clear his Coalition Avenir Québec government won’t hesitate to use the … Read more
(VIDEO) Marina Boulos-Winton, executive director of the Chez Doris women’s shelter, joins Concordia University Television (CUTV) for a Facebook Live event to discuss the interconnectivity between domestic violence and homelessness and how to further help survivors of domestic violence. Watch here
Discussing the Liberal’s 27-point plan to protect and promote the French language on CJAD radio, QCGN President Marlene Jennings said there are good and bad ideas. Jennings said the QCGN agrees with a Liberal suggestion to have an independent language commissioner with a clear mandate and powers. However the advocacy group is less impressed with … Read more
The Quebec Community Groups Network is alarmed that Premier François Legault foreshadowed that the Quebec government may invoke the notwithstanding clause to limit the linguistic rights of English-speaking Quebecers. “The QCGN was already concerned about what the government will propose to enforce and reinforce the Charter of the French Language (Bill 101) and his comment … Read more
The Quebec Community Groups Network welcomes today’s Superior Court ruling which declares that Quebec’s secularism law – An Act Respecting the laicity of the State – violates Section 23 of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms regarding minority education rights. In a landmark ruling for Quebec’s English-speaking community, Justice Marc-André Blanchard declares the legislation … Read more