While Quebec Liberal Party (PLQ) leader Charles Milliard’s plan for French language education is still pending, some PLQ members have spoken out in favor of restoring freedom of choice in CEGEPs.
Bill 96, which strengthens the Charter of the French Language, limits enrollment of Francophones and allophones in English-language CEGEPs. It also requires all students to take three French courses or three courses in their program in French.
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“One thing is certain: we are affecting institutions that are important to the English-speaking community,” said André Pratte, chair of the PLQ National Policy Commission, during a press conference in Sherbrooke on Saturday.
Should this change? “Absolutely,” he replied.
According to Pratte, the CAQ government used Bill 96 as a backdoor way to “limit people’s choice to receive higher education in the language of their choice.”
“No Quebec government has ever interfered with adults’ rights to choose where they receive their higher education. Because we consider that to be an important freedom of choice,” he argued.
That is precisely why the PLQ opposed the extension of Bill 101 to vocational training and adult education earlier this week.
Jennifer Maccarone, the PLQ MNA for Westmount–Saint-Louis, also believes that the cap on enrollment in English-language CEGEPs should be lifted.
“When a young Francophone turns 18, if they want to learn English because they see it as an option for the future, why shouldn’t we let them learn it?” she argued.
Her colleague from Notre-Dame-de-Grâce, Désirée McGraw, also spoke out in favor of “free choice for adults” .
On Friday, Milliard stated that his plan for French, which is set to be unveiled by June 21, will be “better” than the CAQ’s.
“We need to be ambitious in Quebec,” he added on Saturday.
A few weeks ago, the PLQ leader wavered on Bill 96. He initially stated that he was in favor of retaining the exemption clause to protect the law from legal challenges, thereby breaking a 2022 election promise made by his party.
His stance caused a stir within his caucus and among the Anglophone community. He then said he would amend Bill 96 and then assess whether the exemption clause is still necessary.
“There is no issue with language within the Quebec Liberal Party. We are fundamentally Francophone. We are proud of our language,” Milliard said on Friday.
–This report by La Presse Canadienne was translated by CityNews
