Approximately 20 or so concerned citizens gathered on the corner of Hwy 148 and Centre Street to rally the recent passing of Bill 96 by the CAQ Quebec.

Organizer and concerned citizen Doreen Lloyd said as an anglophone living in Shawville, a predominantly anglophone area, she feels . . .

this bill is being pushed on her.

Lloyd and other members of the community held up signs that read Bill 96 with a slash across it and one that read “No to Bill 96, we will not stop until we get what our rights are.”

When asked what her biggest concern is she responded that she feels that the CAQ government did not care about the anglophone community.

When talking to other residents at the protest they expressed worry about the treatment they will receive when going to the hospital, the bank and other areas in their day-to-day life.

When asked about their local politicians, Lloyd and Shirley Gravelle pointed out that they do not feel supported by their municipality or MRC when it comes to their rights as anglophones in this province.

Janey Orr-MacDougall pointed out that she is a seventh-generation English Quebecer. “I feel we’ve had the same battles over and over again and nothing ever changes,” she said.

She highlighted that she wants to be respected as a Canadian citizen, and to be treated and have the same rights as a passport carrying Canadian, “instead of as a second class citizen living in this poor excuse of a backward province,” MacDougall emphasized.

She added that language restrictions will only push residents out of the province, especially when just a short drive over the bridge to Ontario, salaries are more.

“There’s not a whole lot to hold you in Quebec,” she said.

A resident of Campbell’s Bay, Bill Stewart who has been fighting different health issues and a frequent hospital go-er pointed out that he has had growing concerns about his hospital visits because he can not speak fluent French.

Even before the bill got passed, and under Bill 101, Stewart, faced issues like nurses refusing to give him his appointment if he couldn’t speak french.

“Now I feel I’m gonna be really treated like a second-class citizen with Bill 96.”

“I’m just unhappy about it,” Stewart added. “That’s why I’m here, I mean whether I make a difference or not, I’m hoping that I do. All these people will make a difference but we got to get people involved.”

The message Lloyd hopes to send is, “stick together, and help us fight for your rights,” she said.

She hopes that more people will rally behind her in the coming weeks as she hopes to organize another protest and for their efforts to reach Quebec City.

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