Want English services in Quebec? Prepare to attest in ‘good faith’ that you qualify
Global News
New provisions under Quebec's language law reform are now in effect. But one of the new changes -- and how it's being enforced -- has left many people scratching their heads.
Seeking English-language services from various kinds of government services in Quebec just became trickier — and the latest change isn’t going over well.
The François Legault government’s linguistic overhaul, known as Bill 96, is designed to protect and bolster the French language in the province. The goal is to guard against its decline, the government says, especially in Montreal.
After delays, more provisions of the law came into effect Thursday — one of which heavily relies on a self-imposed honour system in some cases.
Under the law, civil servants must now use French in an “exemplary” manner, which means they must speak and write exclusively in the language, except in certain cases. The new rule does not apply to the health and social services settings, according to Quebec’s language watchdog.
The latest restriction means only designated groups — such as Quebecers who have the right to English-language schooling, Indigenous people and immigrants who have been here for less than six months — can receive government services in English.
The way it is being enforced has some scratching their heads.
For example, the City of Montreal’s 311 information line now plays a message that service in English is available but callers must “attest in good faith” that they belong to an exempt group. The city’s website also says English content “is intended for the public covered by the exceptions under Bill 96” and anyone browsing the site in English is acknowledging they belong to one of the designated groups.
Eva Ludvig, president of the Quebec Community Groups Network (QCGN), said the move “creates for more confusion.”
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