The Invisible Anglos

Quebec’s English-speaking community feels “totally ignored and excluded from this election.”

The Quebec government is seeking leave to appeal a ruling that suspended part of the province’s French-language charter to allow Élections Québec to send out bilingual reminder cards to voters.

The provincial government filed the application Wednesday, arguing Quebec Superior Court Judge Sylvain Lussier erred in his decision by “applying the criteria of a serious issue to be tried and the balance of convenience by creating a linguistic right not provided for in the (Canadian) Constitution.”

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Contrary to the 1970s and ’80s, when the threat of separation spurred thousands to pack their bags for Ontario, today’s English-speaking community is largely bilingual, supportive of the need to protect French and determined to grow a family where their roots are, said Eva Ludvig, president of the anglo advocacy organization TALQ. But the political climate has forced them to question their future here, and that of their children.

“A recent survey of our members has shown English speakers want to stay in Quebec. They feel at home,” Ludvig said.

“But they feel concerned about their ability to participate fully in Quebec society, and in the future of their institutions and access to public services.”