Quebec’s language law causes confusion for English speakers, federal commissioner says

English-language advocacy groups face funding roadblocks

Changes to Quebec’s French-language law are creating confusion for English-speaking residents trying to access services, according to a midterm report from Canada’s commissioner of official languages. Raymond Théberge said some health-care workers still struggle to know when they can offer services in English under Law 14, also known as Bill 96. He added that similar challenges are being felt in Quebec’s education and business sectors.

Théberge, speaking in Dieppe, N.B., where he tabled his findings on the 2023-2028 action plan, stressed that Ottawa must ensure federal spending cuts do not affect Canadians’ language rights. The plan includes $4.1 billion in funding for official languages programs.