The Quebec legislature voted to pass Bill 96, the controversial language reform of the Avenir Québec Coalition government.
The bill was passed by 78 to 29 votes on Tuesday, with opposition Liberals and the Quebec Party opposed for various reasons. The PQ called for tougher measures, while liberals said the law violated the rights of English-speaking Quebecers.
After the vote, Prime Minister Francois Lego told reporters he was proud of the law, adding that as leader of a French-speaking province, it was his responsibility to protect the language.
“That is why it is my duty, my responsibility to defend and promote French,” Lego said. “That’s what we do with the bill.”
Read more: Defenders of health and rights in English emphasize the danger of the bill 96
The law aims to support the province’s remarkable French-language charter, known as Bill 101, which was passed in 1977. The Lego government described it as moderate language reform, despite growing criticism outside the National Assembly.
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5:06 Unpacking of account 96 Unpacking of account 96
Bill 96 proposes stricter language requirements, including in the education and business sectors. It extends some provisions of the existing language law to companies with 25 or more employees and restricts enrollment in English-language colleges known as CEGEP in Quebec.
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One of the main obstacles is that students enrolled in English CEGEP will have to take up to three additional French language courses.
The controversial measure initially required these students to take three program-related French courses in order to complete them. After a major protest, the amendment was changed to replace them with three French language classes.
In recent weeks, the bill has come under fire from a number of critics, including indigenous groups and English-speaking people. There are fears that the scope of the bill is too far away and restricts access to healthcare and justice.
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Quebec has passed Bill 96. Prime Minister Lego says he is proud of the adoption. He added that it was his responsibility to protect the French language. #polqc pic.twitter.com/XgbxTrj7YN
– Olivia O’Malley (@oliviajomalley) May 24, 2022
– with files from Olivia O’Malley from Global News and The Canadian Press
© 2022 Global News, a division of Corus Entertainment Inc.
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