Ontario MP Arif Virani takes over the role of justice minister and attorney general following the removal of LaSalle—Emard—Verdun MP David Lametti from the federal cabinet last week. “The Quebec Community Groups Network is probably already working on organizing a meeting,” writes columnist Robert Libman.
Asked about the issues highlighted last week by the Quebec Community Groups Network (QCGN) regarding the province’s proposed language reform, Bill 96, Canada’s Minister of Justice, David Lametti, shared that he plans to continue to study the bill carefully but generally downplayed worries.
“We’ll continue to watch the situation, but we’re comfortable to let the process move forward,” Lametti said, explaining that although he does have concerns about the way the bill makes use of the notwithstanding clause, he also considers the proposed legislation to be in a very early stage at this point.
“It’s early days. The bill hasn’t even been tabled in the National Assembly,” he observed. “We’ll see where the final wording of it lands.”
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s comments that Quebec can unilaterally rewrite sections of the Constitution have upset representatives of the English-speaking community.
But the federal Justice Minister, David Lametti, insisted later that the federal government has not forgotten it has a role guarding the rights of Canadian minorities, including anglophones in Quebec.
Jennings expressed her worry about what Bill 96 might lead to in a letter to Lametti released Wednesday by the QCGN. In the letter, Jennings raises “serious concerns” about Bill 96, its impact on the rights of minorities and what she suggests was Ottawa’s lukewarm response.
Canadians expect that language should not be a barrier to access to justice. That is why the Government of Canada is taking positive measures to support official language minority communities as they interact with the justice system.
Today, the Honourable David Lametti, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada, announced the Government of Canada’s support for the Quebec Community Groups Network’s (QCGN) people-centered project for improving access to Justice in English in Quebec. This project, which received $445,050 in funding, will support community volunteers leading the QCGN’s work in three key areas: justice services related to administrative tribunals, youth, and seniors. The project will help ensure continued dialogue and engagement, both within the community and with the justice sector.
The QCGN is funded by the Government of Canada through the Department of Canadian Heritage.
