Bill 96, an amendment to Quebec’s language law, which sets French as the official language of government and commerce, is set to boost demand for language services. The first sector affected by new language requirements is real estate.
What is Bill 96 in Quebec all about?
The declared purpose of Bill 96 is to reinforce and strengthen the use of French in Quebec by expanding the linguistic obligations outlined in Bill 101. In the words of Mr. Simon Jolin-Barrette, who introduced the bill, “Bill 96 is there to promote the French language, protect the French language…”
How does Bill 96 affect Quebec?
Businesses which offer goods or services in Québec must inform and serve their clientele, both consumer and business clients, in French. This principle is now an express obligation which, if contravened, is an offence punishable by fines. This comes into force immediately upon assent: June 1, 2022.
What does Bill 96 mean for me?
Most notably, Bill 96 strengthens the provisions of the Charter of the French language (the Charter), which governs the use of French as the language of commerce and business, while also amending a number of other statutes, including the Civil Code of Québec (CCQ), the Consumer Protection Act (CPA) and the Charter of
How will Bill 96 affect the French Language Charter?
Bill 96 imposes new French language obligations affecting the language of work, commerce and business, contracts, signs, communications between the Government and businesses, education, the courts, and more. Our first bulletins on Bill 96 summarized some of the key legislative amendments initially proposed by the Bill.
What does Bill 96 mean for Anglophones?
The changes to education in Bill 96 mean students at junior colleges (CEGEPs) will be obliged to take either three core courses in French or three in French-language education if they enrol in an English institution.
How will Bill 96 affect businesses?
The impact of Bill 96
Indeed, the greater emphasis on French may tighten the language requirements for companies to operate in Canada’s second-largest province. For instance, any signage that contain non-French trademark names must ensure that French writing is “markedly predominant” compared to any other languages.
Why does Quebec deem it necessary to pass Bill 96?
Recently, the Province of Quebec passed Bill 96, to promote the use of the French language in the province. The new requirements introduced by An Act Respecting French, the Official and Common language of Quebec, bring significant amendments to the Charter of the French Language (Bill 101).
How does Bill 96 affect students?
In the wake of Bill 96, French-language instruction will be mandatory, and English-language courses that can be taught in French CEGEPs (CEGEPs can be described as ‘university preparation schools’ where Quebec students spend two years after high school) will be capped.
How does Bill 96 affect CEGEPs?
Bill 96 in Quebec colleges will force English students to take three additional courses in French. Francophones and allophones attending Anglophone CEGEPs would have to pass a French proficiency exam to graduate, as students attending French-language CEGEPs do.
Why is Bill 96 so controversial?
The government says Bill 96 is a moderate reform that will improve protection for French while preserving English services, but critics say the bill will limit access to health care and justice, cost college teachers their jobs and increase red tape for small businesses.
Who is affected by Bill 96?
It is also worth noting that Bill 96 provides that both businesses and consumers who feel that their right to be served in French has been violated will be permitted to seek an injunction requiring that their right be respected, except in the case of businesses with fewer than five employees.
Does Quebec want to be its own country?
Quebec sovereigntists believe that such a sovereign state, the Quebec nation, will be better equipped to promote its own economic, social, ecological and cultural development. Quebec’s sovereignist movement is based on Quebec nationalism.
Does Bill 96 violate the Charter?
The EMSB says Bill 96 contravenes Section 23 of the charter, which covers minority language education rights and cannot be overridden by the notwithstanding clause.
Has Bill 96 been passed in Quebec?
On June 1, 2022, Bill 96 received “Royal Assent,” meaning it has been approved by the Lieutenant-Governor and has now become a law. Some of its sections are now enforceable while other sections are subject to various “transition periods.”
Who proposed Bill 96 Quebec?
Simon Jolin-Barrette
CBC contacted the office of Quebec’s justice minister and minister responsible for the French language, Simon Jolin-Barrette, who introduced Bill 96. It turned down an interview request but issued a statement saying “Quebecers have the right to be served and informed in their language, French,” since 1977.
Why did Anglophones leave Quebec?
The 1992 study conducted for Alliance Quebec by a professor at McGill University looked at general reasons for young Anglophones to leave the province: Strict language laws imposed by the provincial government, which limit the use of English; personal economic situations or lack of jobs; followed by general political
What does Bill 96 mean for workplace?
Employers’ Obligations Regarding Discrimination and Harassment:[xx] Bill 96 specifies that employees have a right not to be discriminated against or harassed because they do not have knowledge of another language, or because they have exercised a right under the Charter.
How did Bill 96 pass?
On May 12, 2022, the National Assembly adopted Bill 96 with amendments after taking into consideration the report of the Commission on Culture and Education. On May 24, 2022, Bill 96 officially passed into law with the majority of the National Assembly voting in favour of it.
What is the purpose of the Student Bill of Rights?
The Student Bill of Rights was written to help students address their rights and freedoms which they feel are not being acknowledged by the public educational system. This bill of rights has been written, edited, reviewed, and perfected by students and youth rights activists.
How does the Bill of Rights affect students?
The court declared that students and teachers do not “shed their constitutional rights to freedom of speech or expression at the schoolhouse gate.” The First Amendment ensures that students cannot be punished for exercising free speech rights, even if school administrators don’t approve of what they are saying.