Lisée wants to impose more French on English universities and CEGEPs

“Parti Québécois leader Jean-François Lisée wants English CEGEPs and universities to beef up their French, even proposing exit exams for graduates. As Global’s Anne Leclair reports, some worry it’s another way to make anglophones feel like outsiders.”

The debate to include stricter rules for French-language in CEGEPs dates back. If elected, Jean-François Lisée would like English institutions to add more French courses, to offer students the opportunity to do a semester in French institutions, and to make it mandatory for English students to pass a French proficiency exam. While the idea can be welcome on English campuses, adding a condition to get their diploma might challenge students graduating from those institutions.

On that note, QCGN DG Sylvia Martin-Laforge says that the PQ proposal could backfire and push more people to leave the province, the very effect Lisée wants to stop with his proposal. Adding a mandatory French exit exam could mean another hurdle for English-speaking Quebecers, comments Martin-Laforge.

To watch the interview made by Global Montreal.