By Jack Wilson
Local Journalism Initiative
Amidst concerns from some English-speaking Quebecers around Bill 96’s sweeping regulations, the Townshippers’ Association is favouring a diplomatic approach to language disputes, said its president, Don Warnholtz. The decades-old anglophone organization isn’t planning any protests or major public opposition, he said, choosing instead to meet with elected officials to share its concerns.
Recent weeks have seen major developments around Bill 96, the provincial legislation intended to protect the French language and restrict the use of English. On June 1, several of the bill’s provisions took effect, including a requirement for companies with five to 49 employees to declare the number of workers unable to communicate in French and a policy of cutting off immigrants’ access to English-language services after their sixth month in Quebec. Provincial websites began running a banner on English pages reminding users that translated content is only intended for those exempted from the language restrictions.
In Ottawa, federal Bill C-13 made its way through parliament, receiving royal assent June 19. That bill reformed Canada’s official languages framework, drawing the ire of leaders in Quebec’s English-speaking community for its three references to Bill 96. The Quebec Community Groups Network (QCGN), which includes the Townshippers’ Association as a constituent, unsuccessfully campaigned for the removal of the references.
