Quebec tables expansion of Bill 101 to English adult education

The Quebec government tabled a bill Thursday to expand the province’s language regulations to adult and vocational education centres.

If the Charter of the French Language — commonly known as Bill 101 — is expanded under the new legislation, students who are not considered part of the province’s “historic anglophone” community would no longer be able to access English-language education

“The bill is ambitious and important,” Jean-François Roberge, the minister responsible for French in Quebec, told reporters Thursday at the National Assembly.

“Studying in French means working in French, shopping in French, and living in French. We see there’s a loophole right now: adult general education and vocational training,” he said.

“We’re correcting that situation.”

In May, Roberge said as many as 27,000 students could be affected, while Premier Christine Fréchette previously put the number at 10,000.

Asked about the discrepancy at a news conference on Wednesday, French language commissioner Benoît Dubreuil told reporters that he’s had discussions with the Education Ministry to determine the exact number.

“The issue of data is crucial. We’re currently analyzing it on our end to try to understand what we know and what we don’t know,” he said.

English school boards concerned

In a letter shared with students, staff and parents on May 28, the Eastern Townships School Board said it is concerned the proposed legislation could restrict access to education for those who need it most, under the guise “to preserve the French language.”

The letter goes on to say that English school boards are strong proponents of French-language learning, adding that many vocational centres offer bilingual materials and internships in French-speaking workplaces.

“The solution is not to close successful pathways. The solution is to strengthen French-language support while protecting access to programs that help Quebecers graduate, gain skills and contribute to the province’s economy,” the letter states.

Judy Kelley, chair of the Lester B. Pearson School Board, previously told CBC she also fears the changes would create barriers to education and estimated that half the students at that board would not be able to continue their studies.

“It’s not going to help anyone in the society,” Kelley said.

“It doesn’t mean we can’t find ways to work together to enhance what students learn, but we should not be restricting their choices.”

At Wednesdsay’s news conference, Dubreuil said that if the government hadn’t proposed the bill, his office “probably would have looked into it by now.”

“We know that a number of students are leaving the French-language system for the English-language system for all sorts of reasons, going to adult general education or vocational training. So, there is an issue, and we are very eager to be able to discuss it further,” he said.

Roberge’s bill may not make it past this legislative session.

There are only six working days left in the session — the last before next fall’s election — and the CAQ government is trying to ram through several pieces of legislation.

“We have to use the time we have in the best way possible,” Roberge said.

“If everyone agrees, I think we can move forward. I don’t see who would be opposed, not even the Liberals.”