Democratic Equality Has Its Language Limits in Quebec

"Let's be clear. No one is being denied access to information. No one is being denied the right to vote, either."

"We have adopted rules, and French is the official and common language of Quebec. We are applying the rules we have."

"The rights of the English-speaking community are being respected. We can be proud, I think, to defend our language."

"The ballot remains bilingual. And it will stay that way." 

Quebec Premier Christine Frechette 

For the first time ever, Quebecers will be mailed French-only voter information documents — a decision Premier Christine Fréchette won’t reverse. But lawyers argue the move violates the fundamental right to vote.  CBC News

 

"I think they could have an English version tomorrow, and they could mail it out the day after tomorrow." "So the the idea that it's become impossible … is another example of the high-handedness and the pettiness of the language attitudes."

"It's time now to go back to the principles of the Charter … that all people are of equal worth."

"[The introduction of Bill 96 is part of a] regrettable trend [of] linguistic dogmatism and identity politics [in the province]."

Civil rights lawyer Julius Gray   

Lawyers in Quebec are preparing to mount a legal challenge against the province of Quebec's Premier's decision to discontinue mailing out English-language voting information; all such voting information will be published and circulated in French only. The CAQ leader stated that all discussions surrounding the issue had concluded, and she was adamant that there would be no reason to second-think the issue any further.

 

As far as Elections Quebec is concerned English-language mailers will not be sent out ahead of the October 5 election. A compromise that includes a QR code was available, linked to an English web page. Elderly English-speaking Quebecers who don't use cellphones and have no idea what to do with a QR code are obviously out of luck. Legislation brought in under La Coalition avenir Québec had forced the change, said the agency, washing its hands of the inconvenient matter.

 

It had, explained Elections Quebec, requested a carve-out in the legislation to permit mailouts in both languages, to continue engaging with English-language residents of Quebec as usual, but lost the argument to the government's refusal. Voting rights and English-language advocates claim the decision presents barriers to voting, a claim that Premier Frechette dismissed, informing questioning news media she saw no risk of anglophones being befuddled over voting.

 

 

Everywhere else in Canada, in the other provinces and territories, federal legislation declaring French-language rights alongside those of the English-speaking majority are sacrosanct. Wherever French-speaking Canadians live in the country there are mandated obligations to ensure they are served in their own language. Quebec remains the exception in this as in most other areas of  'self-determination' as an exception, entitled to rights no other provinces can even imagine. 

 

And although the federal government commissioner of official languages had confirmed her office had been given notice regarding the French-only election mailouts, there is little trust that in the commission of her official duties she will reprimand the province and invite a lashback that would certainly risk discombobulating the Liberal government of Canada, so traditionally reliant on Quebec for the reliability of their ruling majorities. 

 

Language-equality be damned, in a grasping, language-paranoid, nationalist-fuming Quebec! 

 

Élections Québec says it will no longer mail voting information documents in English in order to comply with changes to the province’s language laws. English-speaking advocates worry the move could make it harder for some voters to access information, including where and when to vote. CBC News

 

"I couldn't believe it. [The measure is an] unacceptable impediment [because it means English-speaking Quebecers are] not getting equal access [to important voting information; a violation of a constitutional right]."

"It will certainly raise a question of the legitimacy of an election where certain people are not given equal access to voting."

"Everybody's supposed to get the same information around the same time, and on a timely basis in order to be able to make an informed decision as to who to vote for, and to be able to vote." 

"To say that a whole swath of the population suddenly can only get their information on a differential and more complicated basis means that we don't all have an equal right to vote."

"[It's] saying, 'Well, you English-speaking people, if you want, you can get a QR code so you can get the information.' That's a pretty deliberate step … saying, 'You know, we don't really care if you vote.'"

Eric Maldoff, lawyer, former president, Alliance Quebec, anglophone-advocacy organization