Quebec’s overhaul of its strict French language law under microscope at Bill 96 hearings
Global News
Tabled in May, Bill 96 is Quebec's plan to upgrade Bill 101, the province's French-language charter first adopted in 1977 by the government of René Lévesque.
Quebec’s proposed overhaul of its French-language charter is under the microscope at legislative hearings, with participants this week raising concerns about the bill’s effect on English speakers and the independence of the judiciary.
Tabled in May, Bill 96 is Quebec’s plan to upgrade Bill 101, the province’s French-language charter first adopted in 1977 by the government of René Lévesque.
Premier François Legault’s government has described its proposed reform as a reasonable response to studies by Quebec’s French-language office that indicate French is on the decline in the province, particularly in Montreal.
“The time has come to take strong action,” Simon Jolin-Barrette, the minister responsible for the French language, said at the outset of hearings.
The bill is still making its way through the legislative process but drew national attention during the English-language federal election debate. Moderator Shachi Kurl described Bill 96 as one of two “discriminatory” pieces of legislation in Quebec, the other being Bill 21, which bans some public sector workers from wearing religious symbols on the job.
Bill 96 seeks to unilaterally change the Canadian Constitution to affirm Quebec as a nation and French its official language. It also includes 200 amendments that aim to strengthen the status of French. They include a call for tougher sign laws, more language requirements for businesses and less access to English-language junior colleges.
The Legault government has invoked the Canadian Constitution’s notwithstanding clause to shield the bill from charter challenges.
The Quebec Community Groups Network, an umbrella organization representing English community organizations, called for the Legault government to withdraw the bill or at least remove the notwithstanding clause.
A video of 44 seconds before the crash does not appear to show the flight crew making an aviation maneuver known as a "flare" — raising the jet's nose to slow it before touch down.
Authorities are warning against leaving the motor running if a car is encased in snow, because blocked tailpipe can quickly lead to carbon monoxide build up inside the vehicle.
Staff at YVR said that while departures and arrivals at Pearson resumed following the crash, the situation will continue to impact flights connected to Toronto.
The spread of avian influenza, commonly called bird flu, has ravaged flocks around the world, disrupting supply and fuelling higher food prices.
A new video has emerged showing the moment a Delta Air Lines flight crash landed and overturned at Toronto Pearson International Airport.
Statistics Canada said Tuesday that the annual pace of inflation rose slightly to 1.9 per cent last month, up one-tenth of a percentage point from December.
Here is what we know so far about the Delta airlines flight that crash landed at Toronto Pearson International Airport, flipping on its roof, injuring several people.
The federal government will recognize Aboriginal title over the archipelago of Haida Gwaii off British Columbia's northern coast in a historic agreement with the Haida First Nation.
Residents one of B.C.'s oldest municipalities will finally be able to have their mail addressed using the name of their actual community.
Glen and Wendy Leitch said it has been quite a transition as the two of them had planned to retire in Jasper.
RCMP did not provide details about the type of dog.
Emergency services, including Ornge air ambulance, are responding to reports of an "aviation occurrence" at Pearson International Airport.
Daryl Watts scored a wraparound goal 51 seconds into overtime, lifting the surging Sceptres to a 3-2 Professional Women's Hockey League victory over the Charge.