SoVote

Decentralized Democracy

House Hansard - 76

44th Parl. 1st Sess.
May 20, 2022 10:00AM
Context: House Hansard - 76 - May/20/22
Ms. Christine Normandin (Saint-Jean, BQ)
  • May/20/22 10:08:04 a.m.
  • Watch
  • Re: Bill C-13 
Madam Speaker, the previous version of the bill to reform the Official Languages Act was introduced at the end of the previous Parliament by the member for Ahuntsic-Cartierville. We did not really have a chance to debate it since the government had taken almost two years to introduce it. This time, the government introduced the bill and then quickly moved to cut off debate. The government was taken to court in British Columbia for failing to provide British Columbians with services in French, basically violating its own legislation. Then the government appointed a unilingual anglophone lieutenant governor in one of the Atlantic provinces. The government appears to be trying to hide the fact that it is really struggling to enforce the use of French. Is that why the government is once again cutting off debate in an affront to democracy?
141 words
All Topics
  • Hear!
  • Rabble!
  • star_border
Context: House Hansard - 76 - May/20/22
Ms. Christine Normandin (Saint-Jean, BQ)
  • May/20/22 11:46:37 a.m.
  • Watch
  • Re: Bill C-13 
Madam Speaker, while Quebec is in the midst of debating Bill 96, Ottawa is trying to thwart one of the bill's main measures. Ottawa's Bill C‑13 would prevent Quebec from applying the Charter of the French Language to federally regulated businesses. We need to protect the French language in Quebec, yet Ottawa is protecting the English language at work. On top of that, the Liberals are in a rush. They just moved closure on Bill C‑13 to limit debate as much as possible. Is this because they are afraid Quebeckers will rally against this bill, which does not protect the right language in Quebec?
112 words
  • Hear!
  • Rabble!
  • star_border
Context: House Hansard - 76 - May/20/22
Ms. Christine Normandin (Saint-Jean, BQ)
  • May/20/22 11:47:40 a.m.
  • Watch
  • Re: Bill C-13 
Madam Speaker, when she talked about the bill having teeth, the minister failed to mention something important. Bill C-13 allows businesses to voluntarily become subject to the Charter of the French Language. She is well aware of the difference between voluntary and mandatory. If Bill C‑13 passes, Bill 96 will apply to businesses only if they so choose. I find it hard to believe this was not prearranged, knowing how plenty of Liberals feel about protecting French. The reality in Quebec is that it is French that must be protected. Does the minister understand that she is actually protecting the anglicization of workplaces with Bill C‑13?
112 words
  • Hear!
  • Rabble!
  • star_border