Opinion: Anglo concerns extend beyond the Quebec election

The English-speaking community is not asking to stand apart; we are asking to participate fully in Quebec society.

It has been a rough election campaign for Quebec’s English-speaking community.

For much of the campaign, we have struggled to be heard in the political conversation. There was no English-language leaders’ debate. And when the focus did turn to us, it was often because of controversy over our full participation in the democratic process.

Election information was initially slated to be mailed to voters in French only. It took a court challenge to establish that bilingual reminder cards must be provided. Then came reports that polling-station workers had been instructed to speak to voters in French, switching to English only in circumstances prescribed by Quebec’s language legislation. The reports raised further concerns about whether English-speaking voters would be able to participate fully at the polls.