The Quebec government reignited the province’s language debate on Friday after Canadian Francophonie Minister Sonia LeBel revealed a list of recommendations to modernize Canada’s Official Languages Act.
The act, as it stands, gives French and English equal status in the country. However, the Coalition Avenir Québec (CAQ) government argues that French should be recognized as the only minority language in Canada.
“We should no longer talk about equality, but rather equity in terms of language,” said LeBel. “Equality is giving everyone the same thing, but the needs are not the same.”
According to a press release, the CAQ believes French is the only language that needs protection across the nation, including in Quebec. But the government’s proposed alterations to the federal language laws has English language groups voicing their concerns.
English language advocates denounce Quebec’s plan to modernize the Official Languages Act
By Michael Boriero - Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
