Connor Lalande
Pontiac June 2, 2023
Member of Parliament for Pontiac Sophie Chatel says that Bill C-13 is a “positive” thing for both anglophone and francophone Quebecers.
Bill C-13, a federal effort to amend the Official Languages Act, passed second reading in the Senate on June 1 and is now set to be considered by committee. Bill C-13 saw overwhelming support in the House of Commons, being passed 301 voting in favour to 1 voting against during its third reading on May 15.
“Bill C-13 amends the Official Languages Act (OLA) and makes a number of important changes to modernize and strengthen it, in particular to protect and promote the French language by recognizing its status as a minority language in Canada and North America,” a government of Canada webpage on Bill C-13 reads.
“Bill C-13 is promoting and protecting both official languages in Canada,” Chatel said in a conversation with THE EQUITY . “It does that in a very positive way with an action plan to finance the French language across Canada, and that’s especially important in French communities outside of Quebec who are struggling as data shows. It will also promote English in Quebec as a minority situation, so it’s positive. There’s a lot for English communities in Bill C-13.”
Chatel cited Bill C-13’s broad support in the House of Commons, being voted in favour by the Conservative, NDP, Green, Bloc Quebecois and Liberal parties, as evidence of the Bill’s “positive” influence.
While popular on Parliament Hill, Bill C-13 is not without its detractors.
Some anglophone Quebecers worry that Bill C-13’s stated promotion of the French language in Quebec will be done at the expense of those who speak English. They worry that services such as education and healthcare will become harder to access in English and that employment for those who do not speak French will see increased obstacles.
Chatel said that Bill C-13 is “positive” for Quebec anglophones, as it invests in the minority language community in the province.
“It’s provided increased funding for key institutions that help support the English minority in Quebec. There will be an investment of $137 million in excess of existing funding to promote minority language education in the Pontiac and across Quebec,” Chatel said.
Another contentious issue is Bill C-13’s recognition of changes made in Bill 96 by the Coalition Avenir Québec government. The controversial bill, which puts limits on the use of English in certain settings within Quebec, caused Premier François Legault to invoke the notwithstanding clause to protect the bill from legal challenges.
Critics say that by referencing Bill 96 in Bill C-13, the federal government is undermining its own opposition to the government of Quebec’s use of the notwithstanding clause. It is argued that a dangerous precedent is being set.
“I understand the concern about Bill 96,” Chatel said. “But to me, on the federal level, we are doing the right thing to ensure the vibrancy of our two communities that makes Canada who we are, both in Canada but also the reflection of our place in the world.”
“The preamble is putting context to the legislation, but it has nothing to do with Bill 96 in Quebec. It’s completely different,” said Chatel, explaining Bill 96’s reference in Bill C-13. “Bill C-13 is promoting both official languages, and it does this in a positive way. It does this by investing in our official languages. That’s what it does.”
Chatel concluded by reflecting on language politics, and how experiences in her personal life have instilled within her the importance of protecting both the English and French language within Canada.
“On a personal note, when I say that we should be proud of both our official languages as part of our national identity, it’s even true in my own personal life,” Chatel said. “My husband is English and I’m French. We have to invest in the vibrancy of both languages and investing in one language does not take away from the other community. It’s the contrary, we invest in both.”
