What is the problem?

            The Quebec government wants to adopt Bill 96 which will impact all citizens’ rights, freedoms and equalities. It will negatively impact businesses, employment opportunities, access to public services and education. Specifically, businesses with 25 people or more will be obliged to operate in French. If violations occur, fines and licenses can be revoked causing some businesses to consider leaving Quebec. Employment opportunities will also be limited to those who do not have a working efficiency with the French language. With businesses closing or leaving the province the number of opportunities will decline as well. Access to public services will be majoritarily in French. English speaking people will only have written communication in French, access to the legal system in French causing delays and lack of comprehension in important matters including health and taxes, for example.

            Finally, Bill 96 wants to limit students’ rights to choose in what language they want to be educated. This Bill will limit the number of French speaking students allowed in English Cegeps. Those attending English Cegeps were initially required to take 3 core courses in French in addition to the 2 French language courses. This could cause a decline in their R-Score required for admittance to University programs. Recently, the government compromised suggesting only 3 French language courses would be required, however, whether that will hold true remains to be seen, Essentially, Bill 96 denies Quebecers the right to choose and will isolate the province from the rest of the country and the world with so many people being French speaking versus bilingual considering that French isn’t even one of the most top 10 spoken languages globally.

What can change/What needs to change?

               The Quebec government needs to stop imposing their views onto Quebecers and allow people to exercise their freedom of choice when it comes to language. Instead of adopting measures to force people to learn French, the government needs to offer incentives to those willing and eager to learn the French language. Perhaps,  creating programs offering grants and subsidies to businesses adopting a primary French working language environment could be considered. Scholarships and bursaries could be given to students willing to take a percentage of their post secondary education in French. Another option to increase the French language usage is by offering widespread language courses to those willing and interested in participating. However, public services must continually be bilingual to ensure all Quebecers have access to the health and social services needed.

 

Who can help make this change?
           All citizens of Quebec who want to exercise their freedoms and rights must help make a difference. Small businesses, students, teachers, employees looking for jobs, parents and anyone genuinely concerned about their individual rights being taken away must help stop the adoption of Bill 96.

 

What happens if this does not change?
               If Bill 96 goes unstopped, many consequences will occur. Businesses may choose to leave Quebec and set up in our neighboring province of Ontario resulting in economic losses. People will lose jobs or not be able to find jobs due to language laws. Citizens will have trouble accessing social services from government websites to health care related questions. This is particularly detrimental to elderly people who will feel further isolated and confused in various situations. Finally, students will suffer the greatest impact on their future. With greater French courses could come lower grades impacting their acceptance to University programs and future career choices. Protests are already scheduled in the Montreal area, if the government does not hear the voices of its people violence could erupt. 

How I feel?

               I am a high school student who dreams of pursuing a career in Engineering. Will I be able to achieve this goal if I suddenly am required to take Physics, Chemistry and Calculus in my second language? Although I have studied French immersion all of my life, some of my friends have not. They are in English programs and will not be able to manage additional courses in French. They might actually fail. This scares me and saddens me for them. They will lose opportunities to attend good programs after Cegep and do amazing things in the future. I also worry about my aging grandmother. She lives alone and is currently autonomous. With each passing year, she naturally gets older. What if she needs to contact the government about questions relating to her taxes? Or wants access to her medical file for follow-ups? She will have difficulty doing so in French and will get confused and feel frustrated, alone and incompetent when she was otherwise able to manage all of these things due to bilingual services being offered. So, please don’t let our government take away people’s rights and freedoms. Help me stop Quebec’s Bill 96 from being implemented.

 

#FixBill96