Eric Girard speaks with CBC Montreal’s Debra Arbec about his new role as Minister Responsible for Relations with English-speaking Quebecers. Girard says that he plans to meet with the QCGN to discuss concerns surrounding provincial legislation seen as detrimental to the English-speaking community.
Quebec Finance Minister Eric Girard now also holds the role of minister responsible for relations with English-speaking Quebecers. “This appointment is a major first step in ensuring the concerns of English-speaking Quebecers are heard,” says QCGN President Eva Ludvig.
Premier François Legault’s new cabinet appears to be smoothing the waters with English-speaking Quebecers, writes the Montreal Gazette’s Philip Authier. The QCGN welcomed the appointment of Finance Minister Eric Girard to the role of minister responsible for relations with English-speaking Quebecers.
The Quebec Community Groups Network (QCGN) is delighted that Finance Minister Éric Girard, a powerful voice in Cabinet, has been named Minister Responsible for Relations with English-speaking Quebecers.
Though Premier Legault has said that he will likely retain the role of minister responsible for relations with English-speaking Quebecers, the QCGN has been calling for the appointment of a full-time minister, as Legault’s role as premier occupies the majority of his time. He is scheduled to announce his new cabinet at 2 pm.
The QCGN calls for the appointment of a dedicated Minister Responsible for Relations with English-speaking Quebecers amid speculation on how the new provincial cabinet will be composed in the Coalition Avenir Québec’s second term. QCGN interim President Eva Ludvig says in a statement: “Members of our community feel that they are not being heard and are not considered relevant, and they are worried about their and their children’s future in Quebec,” adding that the appointment of a minister would be an important step towards rectifying this issue.
There needs to be a dedicated Minister Responsible for Relations with English-speaking Quebecers in the National Assembly, says QCGN interim President Eva Ludvig. Premier François Legault had not dedicated the time necessary for such a role since he appointed himself to the position in 2018.
The results over the past four years under a Coalition Avenir Québec government demonstrate that the English-speaking community needs a voice at the cabinet table with time to listen to the community’s concerns, and to act on them. Eva Ludvig of the QCGN underscores both the situation and the solution during a 10-minute interview with Aaron Rand on CJAD.
Pointing out a “huge disconnect” between the Quebec government and the English-speaking population, the QCGN encourages the ruling Coalition Avenir Québec to appoint a dedicated Minister Responsible for Relations with English-speaking Quebecers.
The Quebec Community Groups Network (QCGN) congratulates François Legault on his re-election as Premier of Quebec and looks forward to a fresh start in relations between the English-speaking community of Quebec and the Quebec government. We also reiterate our recommendation for the appointment of a dedicated Minister Responsible for Relations with English-speaking Quebecers.
The QCGN is funded by the Government of Canada through the Department of Canadian Heritage.
