By Michael Boriero
With an opportunity to speak at the Bill 96 hearings on Wednesday, the Townshippers’ Association reiterated its support for strengthening and protecting the French language, but not through the Quebec government’s proposed new language law.
Gerald Cutting, president of the association, told the legislative committee in attendance that the bill is challenging the basic rights of the English population in a number of areas. He proposed going back to the drawing board with a more thorough review.
“Our first recommendation was to withdraw the bill, and our second recommendation was to proceed with another, but this time advise those people who will be most directly affected to participate in longer discussions,” Cutting said in an interview with The Record.
He suggested that the government work in partnership with English-speaking communities in the province to create a new law together, rather than imposing a law without any consultations. He also had a bone to pick with the use of the notwithstanding clause.
