Open letter: CAQ language plan must include English speakers

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To: Jean-François Roberge, Minister of the French Language

Cher M. Roberge,

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It was with great interest that we, at the Quebec Community Groups Network, watched the presentation of the Plan for the French Language that you and five of your ministerial colleagues made last weekend.

We must tell you that we were disappointed, not so much because of what was in the plan, but because of what was missing.

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You already know that we strongly disagree with the way the plan punishes world-class universities like Concordia and McGill with discriminatory tuition increases and unrealistic demands imposed, without consultation, for 80 percent of undergraduates to reach a intermediate level of French proficiency by then. they graduate

And we disagree with the government scapegoating immigrants, especially temporary immigrants, not to speak French, when they make such an important contribution to Quebec’s economy and society.

We therefore wholeheartedly applaud measures to improve the provision of and access to
classes to help non-French speakers master the language, but we ask that you ensure that those among the 1.3 million members of Quebec’s English-speaking community who are not yet fluent in French, or who would like to improve their domain, they can also get quick access to these essential services.

Pending details of Culture Minister Mathieu Lacombe’s upcoming legislation on improving the visibility of French-language cultural products on digital platforms, from Spotify to Netflix, we strongly support the promotion of Francophone culture. However, we would strongly oppose any measures that restrict access to cultural material in other languages ​​within Quebec’s borders.

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But we want to talk to you more about an important element that is missing from your
plan. It contains nine priorities (axes, in French), with specific measures to support each of them.

We believe that a tenth priority should be added. Because? Because there are no constructive ones.
references to our community in your plan, and there should be. The English speakers
The Quebec community has a role to play in the promotion and protection of the French language. We can make reasonable and constructive suggestions to further this goal. We are also Quebecers. We are part of the solution, not the problem.

A tenth “axe” could be called “The contribution of the English-speaking community of
“Quebec towards a more cohesive society.”

This priority would include a series of specific measures, like the others.

A key first step would be to determine the role of the Secretariat aux Relations avec les
English-speaking Quebecers will participate in the policy-making process of the Action Group for the Future of the French Language. We did not see any reference to the Secretariat in Sunday’s document.

A second specific measure would be to improve general understanding among
Quebecers of the history, achievements and contributions of the English-speaking community, and its continued strong connection to Quebec.

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Thirdly, we suggest that the government develop and highlight initiatives to bring closer and understanding between our two great communities.

An important element would be the use of statistics that are as balanced as possible to measure the strength of the Frenchman. The government usually uses the home language and mother tongue; We believe that the use of French in public is a more neutral and nuanced criterion. We hope this will be evident when the government presents its more detailed plan for the dashboard, as promised on Sunday.

Regardless of where we agree or disagree, the English-speaking community must be part of the process.

We shouldn’t be invisible. We play an important role in this society and have the right to contribute to the broader values ​​our society needs to share.

Obviously there is much to discuss. But we hope they understand that English-speaking Quebecers are not the enemy, we haven’t been for decades, and we should not be treated as such.

Our differences with the government are real, some of them quite stark, but that doesn’t mean we can’t find common cause and work together.

Sincerely,

Eva Ludwig
President, Quebec Community Groups Network

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