I have in my hot little hands Bill 96,
An Act respecting French, the official and common language of Québec.
This is appears to be the biggest proposed reform to Quebec language law since Bill 101, and the biggest one almost certain to pass.
Observations from a slow reader:
An Act respecting French, the official and common language of Québec.
This is appears to be the biggest proposed reform to Quebec language law since Bill 101, and the biggest one almost certain to pass.
Observations from a slow reader:
It's 100 pages long.
Preamble:
"The purpose of this bill is to affirm that the only official language of Québec is French. It also affirms that French is the common language of the Québec nation."
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Preamble:
"The purpose of this bill is to affirm that the only official language of Québec is French. It also affirms that French is the common language of the Québec nation."
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The opening pages of the bill contain several pages of clauses to reinforce the use of French in public services.
Provincial judges will not be required to speak anything but French, for example, with some exceptions.
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Provincial judges will not be required to speak anything but French, for example, with some exceptions.
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The bill imposes a six-month limit on using a language other than French for welcoming immigrants.
In general provinical public services will must be given in French, with exceptions for health, public safety, principles of natural justice, and tourists.
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In general provinical public services will must be given in French, with exceptions for health, public safety, principles of natural justice, and tourists.
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I'm not completely clear how some of this departs with current law, practices, reality, etc.
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P. 17: Some bon mots about promoting la francophonie in the rest of Canada.
(Francophones outside Québec are used to greeting these words with skepticism. QC often opposes them in court challenges because French rights in Saskatchewan often equal English rights in Quebec.) +
(Francophones outside Québec are used to greeting these words with skepticism. QC often opposes them in court challenges because French rights in Saskatchewan often equal English rights in Quebec.) +
Oh but here's a nice thing: French Canadians from elsewhere who want to do post-secondary studies in French in Québec will qualify for the same lower tuition of a Québec resident. +
There will be a Minister of the French Language.
(I'm a bit surprised this didn't already exist tbh.)
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(I'm a bit surprised this didn't already exist tbh.)
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And a French Language Commissioner!
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Several pages of clauses reinforcing French requirements for professionals and the right to work in French for employees.
Speaking of professionals, I'll need professional help to sort out what is new and important here.
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Speaking of professionals, I'll need professional help to sort out what is new and important here.
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OK, signs. Quebec currently requires French to be predominant, except for trademarks.
The change: Sings "visible from outside premises, French must be markedly predominant where such a trademark appears in a language other than French.”
So, return of CAFÉ second cup?
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The change: Sings "visible from outside premises, French must be markedly predominant where such a trademark appears in a language other than French.”
So, return of CAFÉ second cup?
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Back to business.
The bill limits enrollment in the English part of the college system (CEGEPs) to 17.5% of the student population.
English colleges will also give priority to students qualified to study in English under the rules for grade school.
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The bill limits enrollment in the English part of the college system (CEGEPs) to 17.5% of the student population.
English colleges will also give priority to students qualified to study in English under the rules for grade school.
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Lately English CEGEPs have been very popular among Francophones and immigrant children who normally attend French grade school.
This section is an attempt to limit that transfer to English.
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This section is an attempt to limit that transfer to English.
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A new agency called Francisation Québec will be one-stop shopping for any new arrival in Quebec who wants to learn French or improve it.
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*many more pages about enforcing the use of French in agencies*
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Current Quebec law requires provincially-regulated workplaces to generally operate in French if they employ 50 or more people.
The bill reduces that threshhold to 25.
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The bill reduces that threshhold to 25.
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*many more pages about the minister and ministry and commissioner of French*
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🚨📢Constitutional expert klaxon🚨
The law proposes amending Section 90 of the Canadian Constitution to recognize Quebec as a nation and French as the only official language.
The law proposes amending Section 90 of the Canadian Constitution to recognize Quebec as a nation and French as the only official language.
And finally, the law invokes the notwithstanding clause of the Canadian Constitution to shield it from court challenge.
Thank you for joining my QuebecTalk. /end
Thank you for joining my QuebecTalk. /end
Here's the bill for anyone who REALLY wants to go deep. assnat.qc.ca/en/travaux-par…
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