Quebec government opposes expanded access to French language instruction

Fears it will result in expanded access to English-language education in Quebec

 By Taylor C. Noakes

CJAD 800 AM News-Talk-Radio

The Quebec government has appealed to the Supreme Court of Canada to prevent expanding access to French language education for Francophone minority communities in the rest of Canada. Quebec has argued that expanding access to French language instruction outside Quebec may result in having to also expand access to English language instruction in Quebec, which the provincial government argues may result in potentially ‘grave consequences’ here in La Belle Province.

The issue at hand is Article 23 of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, which provides a guarantee for minority language education rights throughout Canada. The demand for French language education outside Quebec has been on the rise for many years, and generally speaking, public Francophone school boards outside Quebec have not adhered to the strictest interpretation of Article 23.

For roughly 20 years, multiple provincial governments have ignored the strict limitations of the article so as to accommodate more students than would otherwise be permitted (such as children whose parents weren't educated in French, or the children of French-speaking immigrants who settle outside Quebec).

In 2009 the Supreme Court forced the Yukon territorial government to open its doors to new admissions and provide the necessary financial support for increased enrolment. However, the appellate court sided with the territorial government, which is why the issue is back before the SCOC.

Quebec’s appeal to the Supreme Court to maintain the strict interpretation of the law is as a consequence of the same article’s potential impact on access to English-language education.

If access to French schools is expanded outside Quebec, it also means access to English schools would have to be expanded in Quebec.

The Quebec government has argued that ‘any increase in administrative control (regarding access to English schools) for the linguistic minority would have grave consequences on the protection of the French language in Quebec.

The half dozen groups representing Canada’s Francophone minority communities outside Quebec, who are also presenting their arguments to the Supreme Court, are reportedly dumbfounded with Quebec’s actions.

* * * *

http://www.cjad.com/cjad-news/2015/01/25/quebec-government-opposes-expanded-access-to-french-language-instruction#.VMUDFUeLqTo.facebook