Tag Archive for: Bill 103

Collective Rights and the Declining Vitality of the English-speaking Communities of Quebec

/in /by

This research paper by Richard Y. Bourhis (Université du Québec à Montréal) and Pierre Foucher (Faculty of Law, Université d’Ottawa) for the Canadian Institute for Research on Linguistic Minorities (CIRLM) concludes that key elements of Bill 103 modifying the Quebec Charter of Rights and Freedoms and further restricting access to English schools do not respect the legitimate institutions of the English speaking communities of Quebec.

Download (PDF, 665KB)

Dissented

/in /by

Re: “More dangerous than Bill 103” (Letters, Oct. 7).

With regards to Brent Tyler’s comments about our director-general, Sylvia Martin-Laforge, being a member of the Conseil superieure de la langue francaise:
Martin-Laforge sits on the Conseil as an individual and not as a representative of the Quebec Community Groups Network.

Martin-Laforge informed me that she had made clear her unambiguous opposition to the “avis” of the Conseil calling for tighter restrictions on access to English schools, and that her dissenting opinion was communicated to the minister. Her dissent is also on the record, as culture and education committee cochair Pierre Curzi asked us about her position during our testimony during the hearings on Bill 103.

I would like to note that the Conseil profits from Martin-Laforge’s point of view. She is perfectly bilingual, has deep respect for the francophone community, understands the challenges of minority language communities -both English and French -and is able to bring a deep-seated understanding of Quebec and of many Quebecers to the Conseil’s deliberations.

Linda Leith, President Quebec Community Groups Network Montreal

QCGN proposes paradigm shift in relations between English minority and French majority

/in /by

The Main Street

In its brief to the Committee on Culture and Education looking at Bill 103, the Quebec Community Groups Network proposes a paradigm shift in the relations between the English minority and French majority in Quebec.

The QCGN is proposing two fundamental shifts in perspective to help Quebec society move through the social and economic challenges ahead, said QCGN President Linda Leith.  Read more…

Quebec must rethink its relationship with anglos

/in /by

Le Bulletin d’Aylmer

It’s time for Quebec to rethink its relationship with its English-speaking minority.  That’s the message the Quebec Community Groups Network delivered to the general consultation and public hearing on Bill 103 being held this month in the National Assembly.

English-speaking Quebecers are not a threat to the majority.  Au contraire, we English-speaking Quebecers have made – and continue to make – enormous contributions to Quebec society in every wald of life, from education and business to health and agriculture, not to mention science, technology and the arts.  We are largely bilingual, and we strive to ensure our children are bilingual and bi-cultural. Far from being a threat, the English-speaking minority is an asset.  Read more…

Bill 103 endangers our rights

/in /by

The Gazette

Last week, you published two related opinions: the Quebec Community Groups Network’s criticism of Bill 103, which made a case for recognition of the Quebec’s English-speaking minority community and the collective impact of adding an interpretive clause to Quebec’s Charter of Human Rights and Freedoms; and Michael Bergman’s analysis of the impact of the same bill on our individual rights and freedoms. Both articles reinforce each other, and the situation they describe is cause for concern.

There is a tension between the equally important interests of the collective, and protecting and ensuring individual rights and freedoms. In our society’s tradition, resolution of this tension tends to err on the side of the individual. The preamble to the provincial Charter of Human Rights and Freedoms makes clear that, “rights and freedoms of the human person are inseparable from the rights and freedoms of others and from the common well-being.”

Bergman correctly assesses that the changes that Bill 103 proposes to Quebec’s human-rights law are more than significant. They change the foundation of the individual’s relationship with the state. The effects will be most keenly felt by members of Quebec’s English-speaking minority population because members of minority groups are the most likely to need protection under human-rights regimes.

In its brief to the public hearings on Bill 103, Quebec’s Commission des droits de la personne urged the government to separate out those aspects of the bill proposing changes to the Charter of Human Rights and Freedoms, so that these amendments could be afforded the attention and debate that they deserve. This must happen if the citizens of Quebec hope to continue to possesses intrinsic rights and freedoms designed to ensure their individual protection and development.

Sylvia Martin-Laforge is Director General of the Quebec Community Groups Network



QCGN proposes paradigm shift in relations beween English minority and French majority

/in /by

The Gaspé Spec, Thierry Haroun

”Let us leave behin ‘us versus them’ thinking”

In its brief presented recently to the Committee on Culture and Education looking into Bill 103, the Quebec Community Groups Netwotk (QCGN) proposed a paradigm shift in the relations between the English minority and French majority i Quebec.  Facts and arguments with QCGN President Linda Leith.

The QCGN focused its presentation on proposed amendments to the Charter of Human Rights and Freedoms which, if enacted, would erode the vitality of Quebec’s English-speaking community. Read more…

Youth push for anglo school funding

/in /by

The Low Down

English-speaking youths have a strong sense of attachment to Quebec and to the English-speaking community and they wish to remain in the province. But to do so they require strong schools and strong communities.

”English-speaking schools are critical in forming our identity,” said Nicola Johnston, co-chair of the Quebec Community Groups Network’s Youth Standing Committee. ”They are also important centres of our community.” Read more…

Celebrating our past, building our future

/in /by

The Gaspe Spec

MONREAL – The Quebec Community Groups Network believes the Supreme Court ruling on Bill 104 is a fair decision for the province of Quebec. Now that the Government of Quebec has been gibin a second chance to draft legislation, we hope it will work with all stakeholders, including the English-speaking community, to achieve a reasonable compromise between the goals of protecting the French language and preserving the vitality of English school and school boards. In that spirit we ask that we be included in the process.

Read more…