Focus Montreal: Minority language rights
Geoffrey Chambers of the Quebec Community Groups Network joins Global News’ Andrea Howick to discuss how the cutting of French services in Ontario is touching all linguistic minorities.
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Statistics Canada releases revised numbers on Quebec anglophones
“Statistics Canada has published revised Census numbers after admitting an error in language stats for Quebec.”
After releasing numbers earlier this month showing a massive spike of anglophones in Quebec, Statistics Canada now presented data which shows only a very slight increase in Quebec since 2011.
The Quebec Community Groups Network says the revised data proves English-speakers are not a threat to French in Quebec.
Justin Trudeau defends decision to answer questions only in French at Sherbrooke, Que. town hall
“Prime Minister Justin Trudeau defended his decision after he chose to answer questions only in French during a town hall in Sherbrooke, Que., Tuesday night.”
In this feature made by Global reporter Sarah Volstad, QCGN vice-president Geoffrey Chambers is interviewed to make some comments on Trudeau’s answers in French to English questions during a town hall meeting in Shebrooke and his following press conference.
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.
Quebec community groups fear Bill 14 will ghettoize English CEGEPs
Elysia Bryan Baynes, Global News
Critics say Bill 14 will restricts access to English CEGEPs for francophones. Karol Dahl / Global News
MONTREAL – The government’s plans to restrict access to English CEGEPs is raising concerns.
“I think it’s bad. They should just let people make their choice. Would they not allow anglophones to go to French schools?” says 2nd year Vanier student, Frank Prak. He’s a francophone and under the new law would have to wait to see if there were any spaces left after anglophones are admitted.
The Minister responsible for anglophones Jean-Francois Lisée says giving anglos priority to English CEGEPs is a way of protecting them.
“English speaking institutions should be first and foremost for English Quebecers,” Lisée told reporters Monday morning.
The Quebec Community Groups Network (QCGN) has concerns about Bill 14 in CEGEPs.
”If this law passes it would reduce the bilingualism of students and the academic levels of our CEGEPs.”
Quebec community groups fear Bill 14 will ghettoize English CEGEPs
Elysia Bryan Baynes, Global News
Critics say Bill 14 will restricts access to English CEGEPs for francophones. Karol Dahl / Global News
MONTREAL – The government’s plans to restrict access to English CEGEPs is raising concerns.
“I think it’s bad. They should just let people make their choice. Would they not allow anglophones to go to French schools?” says 2nd year Vanier student, Frank Prak. He’s a francophone and under the new law would have to wait to see if there were any spaces left after anglophones are admitted.
The Minister responsible for anglophones Jean-Francois Lisée says giving anglos priority to English CEGEPs is a way of protecting them.
“English speaking institutions should be first and foremost for English Quebecers,” Lisée told reporters Monday morning.
The Quebec Community Groups Network (QCGN) has concerns about Bill 14 in CEGEPs.
”If this law passes it would reduce the bilingualism of students and the academic levels of our CEGEPs.”
The QCGN is funded by the Government of Canada through the Department of Canadian Heritage.
