The federal government says protecting Canada’s official languages is still one of their top priorities.
A key part of their new plan includes attracting more francophones to English Canada.
“Two, creating new learning opportunities; three, supporting the vitality of our official language minority communities; and finally, furthering the federal government’s position as a key partner for our communities,” said Ottawa’s official languages minister Ginette Petitpas Taylor on Wednesday.
The policy is part of a five-year action plan. Ottawa is investing a total of $4.1 billion.
The minority English-speaking community in Quebec will get a portion of that budget to ensure its vitality.
“We have not always received our fair share and it’s starting to look different for the English-speaking community,” said Sylvia Martin-Laforge, director-general of the Quebec Community Groups Network (QCGN).
Get daily National news
The money will be awarded through the provincial government and that is a concern.
“The trick will be how will we get the investment in the hands of the community,” said Martin-Laforge.
The group also worries about Bill C-13, which seeks to further regulate the use of French in private businesses in Quebec.
- Public sector unions say nearly 10K employees got layoff notices this week
- ‘No standing back’ in Afghanistan, minister says after Trump NATO comments
- Bessent says an independent Alberta would be ‘natural partner’ for U.S.
- Canada’s sovereignty, economy key topics of Liberal cabinet retreat: ministers
The bill is currently being studied in the House of Commons.
“My concerns continue to be the inclusion of the French language charter which is covered by the non-withstanding clause. We feel that it should not be present in a federal legislation,” said Eva Ludwig, the QCGN’s president.
The provincial government has already used the notwithstanding clause to push legislation some believe undermines the rights of English-speaking Quebecers, such as Bill 96, the province’s reform to its French-language law.
But in its new plan, the federal government has set money aside to fund legal battles seeking to preserve minority language rights.
“Of course I have a problem when our government, our Canadian government gives some money to challenge our Quebec laws — that is not acceptable,” said Jean-François Roberge, Quebec’s minister of the French language.
Roberge also believes Ottawa’s plan to increase the number of French speakers is not ambitious enough, but adds he needs to take a deeper look into the policy in order to make a better assessment.
Comments