Julien St-Jean

Pontiac June 30, 2021

The Regional Association of Western Quebecers (RAWQ) issued a press release on June 30 in support of equal recognition of English and French in Quebec.

This comes after the Quebec government tabled Bill 96 in May, which proposes adding clauses to the Canadian constitution that recognize Quebec as a nation and that it’s official language is French.

RAWQ criticizes the Quebec government’s use of the Notwithstanding Clause, saying that “individual rights must not be stampeded by a government’s continuing use of the Notwithstanding Clause to promote collective rights.”

In the press release, the organization calls on Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to “fulfill his constitutional duties under the Canadian Constitution and the Official Languages Act of Canada,” and to protect and promote minority rights throughout Canada.

RAWQ also calls on Premier François Legault to protect and promote minority rights within Quebec, saying that they pose no threats to french language or culture.