Anglophone concerns about Bill 96 are unfounded, Jolin-Barrett said

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Access to courts and health services will remain unchanged, the French-speaking minister said after Saturday’s protest.

Author of the article:

Jason Magder • Montreal Gazette

Publication date:

May 16, 2022 • 9 hours ago • 4 minutes reading • 68 comments A woman holding a sign during a rally to oppose Bill 96 in Montreal on Saturday, May 14, 2022 Photo by John Mahoney / Montreal Gazette

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Simon Jolin-Barrett, the French-speaking minister of Quebec, tried to reassure English-speakers on Monday after thousands marched in the streets on Saturday to protest legislation boosting French status in the province.

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Bill 96, a law amending the French-language charter, is expected to be put to a vote in the National Assembly before the legislative break for the summer.

Anglophone human rights groups have raised concerns about several provisions in the bill, including those affecting access to health and judicial services in English, as well as changes to the French language requirements in the English CEGEP. They are also concerned about the increased powers given to the provincial linguist to search and seize without the need for an order, among other measures.

Speaking to reporters Monday via video conference, COVID-positive Jolene-Barrett acknowledged that there was some opposition to the bill, but said Anglophones should be reassured that access to health and justice services would remain unchanged.

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“People have the right to protest, and that’s good; we heard their fears, “he said. “But their concerns are unfounded because I have heard many things that are not true.

“For example, I have heard that health services will be affected; this is not true. Nothing changes with health services. People will be able to receive their services in English.

“The same goes for the judiciary. Everyone has the right to speak in French or English. “

Jolin-Barrett said the amendment, passed in February, states that Bill 96 does not usurp section 15 of the Health and Social Services Act and as such guarantees the English-speaking community the right to receive these services in English.

He acknowledged concerns about changes to the CEGEP system under Bill 96, including a ceiling for enrollment in CEGEP in English set at 17.5% of Quebec’s total CEGEP population, while access to English-language programs in French CEGEP will be reduced.

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In addition, the French language exams given to students in French CEGEP will be extended to CEGEP Francophones and Allophones in English and will be required to take three of their core French courses (plus two French lessons). ) Anglophones. in English CEGEP, meanwhile, will have the opportunity to take a total of five French courses instead.

CEGEP students, parents, teachers and administrators said the new requirements would make it more difficult to access university programs, especially for students with special needs. Indigenous groups in Quebec have criticized the changes and demanded full release.

Again, Jolin-Barrett tried to allay those fears on Monday.

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“For people who choose to study at CEGEP, there will be a classification of their knowledge of French to make sure they are in the right class to (improve) their French,” he said. “This will help, because if we want to ensure that the population can work and succeed in Quebec, they need tools to learn French.”

He said there were already provisions in the French-language charter to make exceptions for indigenous peoples. And for those who attend French courses, the classes will be adapted to their level of language proficiency. (Last week, Jolin-Barrett met with the great leader of Kahnawake Kahsennenhawe Sky-Deer and Ghislain Picard, head of the First Nations Assembly for Quebec and Labrador.)

For his part, Montreal Mayor Valerie Plante said on Monday that she was confident that Bill 96 would protect the rights of minorities while strengthening the protection of the French language.

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I have always been very clear about our position on Bill 96. We must protect the rights of the Anglophone and allophone communities that Quebec has always respected, while moving towards policies and ways for newcomers to learn French as soon as possible and as soon as possible. the best possible way to be part of our community, “Plante told reporters.

“But it has to be with the right tools. They must be provided with all the resources. This is the message I also hear from Quebec.

“I know people are worried. Language is more than words. This is actually access to cultures. At the same time, I believe that providing more tools and resources to organizations working with immigrants is the right way, as well as to protect our identity.

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At Monday’s city council meeting, Dimitrios Jim Bays, mayor of the Pierfond-Roxboro area, said he was concerned that Bill 96 would allow the French minister in charge to suspend or withhold any provincial subsidy or subsidy if in doubt. that the law is not respected.

“The law poses huge challenges for our areas,” Bays said. “Is the administration analyzing the impact this law will have on the city?”

Speaking at a network of Quebec community groups, meanwhile, one of the organizers of Saturday’s rally, Director General Sylvia Martin-Laforge, said the demonstration of force demonstrated broad opposition to the law, and not just Anglophones.

She said her group would continue to raise awareness and speak out against the bill until and even after it is passed.

“We will keep up the pressure … how bad this bill can be for all Quebecers,” said Martin-Laforge. “We will try to dispel the myths and say what is wrong with the bill and ask for appropriate consultation with our community before implementing it in law. And once it is over, we will continue to monitor the effects on the English-speaking community and talk.

Brendan Kelly of the Montreal Gazette contributed to this report.

jmagder@postmedia.com

twitter.com/jasonmagder

1. Thousands of Montreal residents are in opposition to Bill 96

2. Breakdown of key points of the bill 96

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