Celebrating Multiculturalism
WHY Bill 84 IS IMPORTANT
Bill 84 on “intégration nationale,” is a broad and powerful bill dedicated to ensuring widespread adherence to an undefined “Quebec culture.”
The Bill follows Bill 96 (now known as Law 14) in cementing not only that French is the official and common language of Quebec, but it suggests, in an unspoken sense, that French is the only language Quebecers should use if they are to be considered full participants in this society.
It also seeks to establish a required adherence to a “Quebec culture” that appears to evoke a narrower, more rigid definition of what that culture is – and what it will exclude. Defining this Quebec culture more precisely is crucial, because the Bill places so much emphasis on the need for all Quebecers to embrace it – not just the newly arrived.
At present, this Bill contains no more than a fleeting reference to the English-speaking community of Quebec. Yet ours is a community that has played an enormous role in enriching and developing Quebec – economically, culturally, socially and intellectually – for more than two centuries.
We should treat this Bill with the same degree of concern we have had for Bill 96, the law that updated the Charter of the French Language several years ago, and which continues to cause problems for individuals, businesses, schools and students, and other institutions linked to our community.
CONSULT BILL 84, AN ACT RESPECTING NATIONAL INTEGRATION
READ QCGN’S BRIEF PRESENTED TO LA COMMISSION DES RELATIONS AVEC LES CITOYENS