Au Canada, il y aura toujours une distinction historique entre les francophones et les anglophones, mais cette diversité culturelle et linguistique devrait conduire à une société fondée sur l’équité et l’inclusion. Pour ce faire, les compétences dans les deux langues officielles sont importantes. Read more (In French only)
We exist in two spaces at the same time, yet somehow in neither of them completely, like standing in the doorway between two rooms. Throughout my life, I have sometimes felt that I do not fully belong. For instance, my dad is from Dorval, and his parents were active participants in West Island life. My … Read more
As language tensions heat up, it will be important not to lose sight of our community’s strategic interests. Raymond Théberge, Canada’s commissioner of official languages, has aptly described English-speaking Quebecers as “a young minority.” By that, he is not referring to the community’s history, which is a long one, but to its lack of what … Read more
Quebec is my home, a sentiment expressed with profound pride but sadly, my language and my skin colour have made me feel like an interloper. Quebec is my home, a sentiment expressed with profound pride but sadly, both my language and my skin colour have made me feel like an interloper, fiercely battling feelings of … Read more
Like other official language minority communities, English-speaking Quebecers should be able to count on the federal government as an ally. In its Throne Speech last fall, the Trudeau government said that “the defence of the rights of francophones outside Quebec, and the defence of the rights of the anglophone minority within Quebec, is a priority … Read more
“We need to be careful and respect our minorities — respect, protect and support our minorities,” says Lorraine O’Donnell, a specialist in the history of English-language Quebec. Many in the English community feel that these are tough times for anglophones in Quebec, with English school boards in turmoil, Bill 101 set to be strengthened and reports that the federal government … Read more
As a result of colonialism, the reality is that many Quebec Indigenous communities operate in, and rely on access to services in English. Roughly 65 per cent of the 102,552 Indigenous people in Quebec speak English as a first, second or third language. This includes most Inuit; most Kanien’kehá:ka (Mohawk); most Eeyou (Cree); many Anishnaabe … Read more
Lors de sa conférence de presse du jour en compagnie du ministre de la Santé Christian Dubé et du directeur national de santé publique Horacio Arruda, le premier ministre du Québec en a profité pour annoncer aux Québécois que son gouvernement était «déterminé et convaincu» à respecter toutes les promesses électorales faites en 2018. Read … Read more
Old divisions have been replaced by a shared focus on the region’s challenges. The Gaspé region, in particular its southern coastline from Gaspé to Matapédia, is the birthplace of Quebec’s rich cultural heritage. Here, the Mi’kmaq gave shelter to Acadian refugees, and other French and European settlers populated the area. Irish Catholics followed and were … Read more
Advocacy, not only by the community, but at the individual level, has an important role to play. On March 11, 1996, Premier Lucien Bouchard famously told English-speaking Quebecers, “when you go to the hospital and you’re in pain, you may need a blood test, but you certainly don’t need a language test.” Read more
“It’s clear we want to work together, with all the population and not create any cleavages or divisions,” the Quebec Liberal leader said Tuesday. QUEBEC — Any reforms to the Charter of the French Language must be done with, not against, the English-speaking community in order to avoid dividing Quebecers, Liberal party leader Dominique Anglade says. Read … Read more
A strong English-language education system, from kindergarten to university, is essential to the vitality of the English-speaking community. A strong English-language education system, from kindergarten to university, is essential to the vitality of Quebec’s English-speaking community. It allows anglophones to be schooled in their mother tongue, reinforcing their ability not only to speak, but also … Read more