QUEBEC – The 64th group to appear before the Bill 14 committee reinforced that words are important, especially when it comes to human rights.
Leading experts from the Quebec Bar Association testified changing the status of anglophones from “ethnic minority” to “cultural community” isn’t just a simple word swap; it’s bound to have serious consequences on the lives of thousands of Quebecers.
“We’re stripping away these rights which have been well-recognized, have been in place in Canada since 1976 and replacing them with a concept that has no meaning,” said human rights lawyer, Pearl Eliadis.
He adds, “no legal significance, no history with the jurisprudence, and which obviously goes directly to the rights of the English-speaking minority but potentially also other minorities as well.”
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Concretely, the Quebec Bar said, the bill could limit access to services, such as legal aid.
“If the administration, which includes public servants and clerks at the courts, are no longer required to speak and be spoken to in English, this raises concerns with regard to access to justice,” said Eliadis.
The Language Minister remained unmoved.
Diane de Courcy argued constitutional lawyer Julius Grey this week told her the exact opposite, that there is no danger anglo-rights will be trampled. “How would you take a decision,” the Minister asked. “We have to be careful.”
De Courcy also argued her bill has been scrutinized by government lawyers who don’t see a problem with any of the proposed changes. Eliadis, however, charged Bill 14 will be contested, various interpretations of the law will be debated, all on the back of Quebec taxpayers.
“There are layers of incertitude that are created by stripping away rights, we don’t know how it’s going to play out but the public doesn’t benefit from this level of incertitude, no one benefits from their rights being removed and let’s face it, this is going to cost money.
“The taxpayer will end up footing the bill,” Eliadis said.
Hearings continue next week.
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