ANSWERS FROM THE LIBERAL PARTY OF QUEBEC
The Quebec Liberal Party’s Position on Issues Affecting English-Speaking Quebecers
Mrs. Ludvig,
On behalf of the Quebec Liberal Party, I acknowledge receipt of the correspondence you sent us electronically on August 21, and I thank you for it.
The organization on whose behalf you are acting plays a leading role in defending and raising awareness of the rights and realities of English-speaking Quebecers.
The Quebec Liberal Party has always been committed to bringing together all Quebecers within a political vision that values diversity as an asset and recognizes the need to combine everyone’s strengths to overcome our collective challenges. Please find below our responses to the specific questions you submitted.
Continuing the adoption of a Quebec constitution
The Quebec Liberal Party is committed to relaunching the process of adopting a Quebec constitution based on broad consultation. We will begin work on such a project as soon as a Liberal government is elected, in a non-partisan manner and in collaboration with society, as well as the First Nations and Inuit.
The goal of such a project is to affirm who we are, what unites us, and what distinguishes us as a nation.
We opposed the constitutional project proposed by the Coalition Avenir Québec because it was not based on broad consultation, was aimed at dividing Quebecers, and sought to boost the electoral prospects of a worn-out, unpopular, and outdated government.
Withdrawing the appeal concerning Bill 40 before the Supreme Court of Canada
The Quebec Liberal Party opposed the Coalition Avenir Québec’s use of closure to pass Bill 40. We firmly believe in the important role played by English-language school boards and respect the rights recognized for them. A Liberal government will put an end to needless disputes with English-language school boards, allowing everyone to focus on the priority that unites us all: the educational success of our children.
Refraining from pre-emptively invoking the notwithstanding clause
The Quebec Liberal Party has always denounced the broad, pre-emptive use of the notwithstanding clause by the Coalition Avenir Québec. In a free and democratic society, the courts’ guidance on issues affecting rights and freedoms is not only desirable but necessary.
While the use of the notwithstanding clause is a legitimate tool, we believe it should generally come at the end of the judicial process, once the courts have provided their guidance, and that these provisions should be used in the way that least infringes on rights and freedoms.
Municipal services in English
The Quebec Liberal Party believes that municipalities with bilingual status under the Charter of the French Language should be able to continue serving their citizens in English.
Unimpeded access to health and social services in English
When you’re sick, you need a medical test, not a language test. The Quebec Liberal Party has always defended access to health and social services in English, and this commitment remains fundamental.
We vigorously denounced the Coalition Avenir Québec government’s attempts to restrict access to health care in English through ill-conceived administrative directives.
While, in theory, no provision of the Charter of the French Language is intended to compromise access to health and social services in English, we will remain vigilant to ensure that no obstacles arise from the practical application of this law.
Vocational training and adult education
The Quebec Liberal Party opposes the idea of subjecting vocational training and adult education to criteria intended to restrict access to such training in English.
Employability programs for English-speaking Quebecers
The Quebec Liberal Party has always been concerned with issues related to employment integration for English-speaking Quebecers. We will enhance initiatives in this area and work closely with the Provincial Employment Roundtable (PERT), which focuses on these issues.
English-language universities in Quebec
We believe that by weakening our universities, the Coalition Avenir Québec has weakened Quebec as a whole.
We are proud of our university institutions and view the attraction of international students and students from other Canadian provinces as an invaluable asset for Quebec.
The Quebec Liberal Party will reverse the changes made to tuition fees for Canadian students and will remove the cap imposed on international students at our universities, allowing them to regain financial stability and growth.
English-language colleges (CEGEPs)
The Quebec Liberal Party believes in adults’ freedom of choice regarding the language of instruction at the college level.
We have announced our intention to amend the provisions of the Charter of the French Language that have the structural effect of shrinking the size of English-language colleges year after year. We want these institutions to be able to grow at the same rate as French-language colleges.
However, we will maintain the measures giving priority admission to English-speaking Quebecers at English-language colleges.
Please accept, Mrs. Ludvig, our warmest regards.
The Quebec Liberal Team