Bill 115 rammed through legislature

MONTREAL – The governing Liberals used closure to pass Bill 115 in the National Assembly in Quebec City Tuesday morning by a vote of 61 to 54.

The new law limits the transfer of students into English public schools.

The nearly all-night debate ended with bitter, accusatory speeches from both sides of the aisle as the vote was taken about 7:15 a.m.

The government of Premier Jean Charest ignored opposition from francophones and anglophones alike to force passage of Bill 115.

Assembly rules were suspended to call lawmakers to the assembly for an “extraordinary meeting” and to ensure the law is in force before a Friday deadline set by the Supreme Court of Canada.

It was the first time that closure was used to pass a language law in Quebec.

Parti Québécois leader Pauline Marois is expected to hold a news conference later Tuesday morning.