Brett Thoms
Pontiac April 14, 2022
The Exploratory Committee on Political Options (ExComm), a group aiming to form a political party dedicated to protecting English and religious minority rights in Quebec, wrote a press release criticizing the Liberal Party of Quebec’s (QLP) introduction of Amendment 53 to Bill 96, which will require English CEGEP students to pass three French courses in order to receive a diploma.
The amendment was introduced to Bill 96 by . . .
Liberal language critic Hélène David in February, though the QLP have since called for the amendment to be repealed or amended.
“My colleagues at committee made this suggestion in order to avoid Bill 101 or major enrollment caps being applied to Anglo CEGEPS in the bill,” said Pontiac MNA André Fortin, noting the CAQ brought an amendment introducing enrolments caps anyway.
Fortin said that together, these two amendments “could have a significant impact on the success of some English students.”
Fortin said the introduction amendment by his party was a mistake and called for it to be withdrawn from the bill or amended.
The press release from ExComm criticizes the QLPs apology and implies that the introduction of the amendment was not a mistake.
It draws attention to the fact that the language of Amendment 53 is straight out of Article 16 of Because French is Our Language, Our Strength and Our Future, a QLP policy paper on language issues in Quebec published in April 2021, which was subsequently not challenged within the party until the recent backlash surrounding the amendment.
Fortin however says his party is making an effort to try and lessen Bill 96’s impact on the English community.
“There are two types of political parties,” said Fortin. “There are parties who, like the CAQ, knowingly make changes to Bill 96 that will negatively impact services and rights of English speaking communities. And there are parties, like ours, who have tried to make suggestions to lessen the impact of Bill 96, such as removing healthcare from it, and who will recognize when they made a mistake.”
However, those at ExComm say the Liberals are not only not doing enough but are actively contributing to the problem by failing to stand up for English Quebecers or federalism.
“English speaking Quebecers and other minorities feel abandoned by all mainstream political parties in Quebec,” said Colin Standish, lead spokesperson for the group. “There’s just not been a voice at the table for standing up for the basic rights of Quebecers, with assaults on human dignity like Bill 21, Bill 40 and particularly now coming to a head with Bill 96. If Bill 96 passes, it literally is the extinguishment of your ability to live life in the English language in Quebec.”
ExCom is currently exploring whether a new party is electorally viable.
Standish said he does not want the proposed party to be pigeonholed as just an anglophone rights party.
“I think that we have common cause with all Quebecers, whether they’re French-speaking, newcomer, indigenous, or obviously English speaking,” said Standish. He said should the party launch they plan to try to run candidates in every riding in Quebec.
Standish says ExComm is already getting a strong response from across the province. “Some people have contacted us to just support the party to volunteer to be donors and eventual candidates perhaps.”
Pontiac will be an important riding for a federalist minority rights party going forward given its large anglophone population, according to Standish.
“I think people need to remember that the Liberal Party has voted three times for Bill 96,” said Standish about liberal support for moving the bill through the parliamentary process at the National Assembly. “I think that’s something people in Pontiac should be very aware of.”
Fortin however says he is firm on his opposition to Bill 96. “My mandate is to represent the interests of Pontiacers and I’ve heard their message loud and clear and that is they wanted us to vote against Bill 96 even though we may be the only party to do so.”
