You can save this article by registering for free here. Or sign-in if you have an account.
Article content
Way back in 2013, when he was in opposition and the Parti Québécois formed a minority government, François Legault opposed the PQ’s effort to broaden francization rules to businesses with between 26 and 49 employees. That proposal, one of several in the PQ’s Bill 14 that were designed to broaden the reach of the Charter of the French Language (Bill 101), was also opposed by much of the business community because it would have increased the bureaucratic red tape faced by such businesses. Bill 14 never passed.
Advertisement 2
Story continues below
This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.
THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY
There with you then. Here with you now. As a critical part of the community for over 245 years,The Gazette continues to deliver trusted English-language news and coverage on issues that matter. Subscribe now to receive:
Unlimited online access to our award-winning journalism including thought-provoking columns by Allison Hanes, Josh Freed and Bill Brownstein.
Opportunity to engage with our commenting community and learn from fellow readers in a moderated forum.
Unlimited online access to the Montreal Gazette and National Post, including the New York Times Crossword, and 14 more news sites with one account
Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists.
Montreal Gazette ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, where you can share and comment..
SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES
There with you then. Here with you now. As a critical part of the community for over 245 years,The Gazette continues to deliver trusted English-language news and coverage on issues that matter. Subscribe now to receive:
Unlimited online access to our award-winning journalism including thought-provoking columns by Allison Hanes, Josh Freed and Bill Brownstein.
Opportunity to engage with our commenting community and learn from fellow readers in a moderated forum.
Unlimited online access to the Montreal Gazette and National Post, including the New York Times Crossword, and 14 more news sites with one account
Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists.
Montreal Gazette ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, where you can share and comment..
REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES
There with you then. Here with you now. As a critical part of the community for over 245 years,The Gazette continues to deliver trusted English-language news and coverage on issues that matter. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.
Access articles from across Canada with one account.
Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments.
In 2018, in the run-up to the election that brought him into office as premier, Legault addressed anglophones’ fears about whether his nationalist Coalition Avenir Québec would toughen up the language law: “We’re not talking about a new Bill 101. We’re talking about having the actual law respected,” he said.
Now in government, Premier Legault has been moving away from those positions.
Article content
Still, it was disappointing, if not entirely surprising, to see CAQ MNAs this week voting in favour of a PQ motion calling for legislation to extend Bill 101 francization rules to businesses with 25 to 49 employees and to those under federal jurisdiction.
Once again, we have a solution in search of a problem. Once again, we see this government poised to act on the basis of unwarranted fears. It has not been demonstrated that extending francization rules to smaller businesses would meaningfully advance the status and security of French. But it is clear that it would create additional administrative work for business owners — including francophone business owners — who already have plenty of government forms to fill out, and who do not need inspectors coming to check the language their office printer displays. As for extending the rules to businesses under federal jurisdiction, it’s hard to ignore the irony, given this government’s jealous defence of its own jurisdictional prerogatives.
This week’s motion does not have the force of law. However, it is a disconcerting omen about where we may be headed.
Article content
Share this article in your social network
Share this Story : Editorial: Don't extend Bill 101's reach
Postmedia is committed to maintaining a lively but civil forum for discussion. Please keep comments relevant and respectful. Comments may take up to an hour to appear on the site. You will receive an email if there is a reply to your comment, an update to a thread you follow or if a user you follow comments. Visit our Community Guidelines for more information.
This website uses cookies to personalize your content (including ads), and allows us to analyze our traffic. Read more about cookies here. By continuing to use our site, you agree to our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.
Postmedia is committed to maintaining a lively but civil forum for discussion. Please keep comments relevant and respectful. Comments may take up to an hour to appear on the site. You will receive an email if there is a reply to your comment, an update to a thread you follow or if a user you follow comments. Visit our Community Guidelines for more information.