Quebec demands implementation of the toughest language reform in Canadian history

The government of Québec is fighting federal authorities over a language law that would strengthen the status of the French language in the province.

In 2021, Quebec drafted a language status bill recognizing French as the only official language in the province. In addition, the bill outlines strict rules for businesses, restrictions on enrollment in English-speaking schools and universities, and proposes to amend the Constitution of Canada to recognize Quebec as a separate nation.

The federal government went along with Quebec in recognizing French as the official language and the provinces as a separate nation, but there was still controversy.

The federal government has recently introduced the final C-13 language reform aimed at promoting the two official languages, English and French, throughout the country. The authorities state that the bill takes into account the peculiarities and wishes of Quebec, whose population speaks mainly French. Nevertheless, the provincial authorities remained dissatisfied with the proposed laws.

"Language should never be used for political purposes," declares Minister Ginette Petitpas Taylor, whom Quebec blames for the failed reform. — I invite my colleagues to read Bill C-13 carefully and work together to achieve our common goal, which is to ensure the survival of the French language in the country and to protect and promote our two official languages."

In Bill C-13, the Canadian government approves French as the only official language in Quebec and gives increased powers to local authorities so they can punish companies for failing to comply with regulations. Quebec now requires companies to use French in signage, provide services in French, and so on.

However, the Canadian authorities are not ready to give Quebec the right to adopt language laws for a number of businesses that are under federal authority. For example, Quebec cannot impose fines on federal transportation companies, such as Air Canada and the railroad company VIA Rail. According to the provincial authorities, such powers are not enough and Quebec needs full autonomy in matters concerning language.

"Don't interfere in our affairs. You don't decide anything in Quebec territory," says Sonia Lebel, Quebec's minister for relations with Canada, harshly about the bill. — We can take care of our French properly on our own and we will take care of the English-speaking minority according to the law and with respect for their rights. We do not need you.

If the federal government continues to refuse to give Quebec the absolute power to implement language laws within the province, local authorities will continue to tune in so that Ottawa acts within its "sphere of jurisdiction."

The Quebec government is not only prepared to clash with the federal government in the fight for the French language. After the announcement of new aid measures for people evacuating from Ukraine to Canada, it became known that Ukrainian children would not be able to attend English-language schools and would be obliged to go to French-language institutions.