The Quebec Liberal Party and the Parti Québécois say they plan to vote against the government’s new language-reform bill for opposite reasons.
Liberals say the bill goes too far and violates the rights of English-speaking Quebecers, while the PQ says the legislation doesn’t go far enough to crack down on the use of English within government institutions and the business sector.
The governing Coalition Avenir Québec party wants to have a final vote on Bill 96 before the end of the week, with a vote possible as soon as this afternoon.
Liberal finance critic Carlos Leitão told reporters today he worries about the bill’s impact on older immigrants whose grasp of French may not be strong.
The Parti Québécois says it wants to prevent most immigrants and francophones from attending English-language junior colleges.
Québec solidaire says it will vote in favour of the bill despite the fact the party disagrees with a section that prohibits immigrants from accessing government services in any language other than French six months after they arrive in the province.
