06/02/2024
Exposing Quebec’s war on English with punitive language laws: Coalition of Five Organizations joining forces to protest on June 8th
Montreal, QC - June 2, 2024 - A coalition of five organizations will hold a protest on June 8th from 2 PM to 6 PM at the intersection of Saint Catherine and Crescent Streets in Montreal. The event aims to raise international awareness about the punitive effects of Quebec’s Bill 96, also known as Law 14, which enforces strict French language requirements and penalizes the use of English. The protest coincides with the high-profile Grand Prix weekend, ensuring that the message reaches a global audience of tourists.
The protest is organized by the Bridging Ethnic Community (B.E.C), the Unity Group, the Quebec Anglophone Community, Team/Équipe CDN-NDG, and Parlons du Québec | Let’s Talk About Quebec. These groups are coming together to emphasize the erasure of the English language in the Province of Quebec and its impact on minority groups, individuals, and businesses.
“The cause is right, and the time is now for ALL Montrealers to defend their Anglo fundamental rights,” said Mario Napolitano, President of B.E.C. Echoing this sentiment, Cynthia Costigan added, “The ‘Office québécois de la langue française’ (OQLF) now has more power than the police; anonymous tips can lead to search and seizure of office equipment, files and cellphones, and this without a warrant. Doctor’s and lawyer’s offices are not exempt from this law and there is no victim recourse. This is unacceptable in a country like Canada as it creates huge privacy issues for minorities!” Claudia Maheux emphasized, “Anglophones unite! We must demand the same rights and freedoms that Anglo-Canadians in other provinces enjoy. And nothing less.”
The protest’s main slogan is “English is a crime in Quebec.” It will address specific issues such as the OQLF, also known as the language police, fining individuals and businesses up to $30,000 for not respecting Bill 96. This law, which took effect on June 1, 2022, has introduced numerous restrictive measures, with additional measures to be implemented in 2025.
“Businesses must also comply with customer service requirements, offering all goods and services in French, including having a French version of their website. Additionally, the law dictates that if English or any other language is used on packaging, it cannot be more prominent than the French version. Even minor differences in font size between English and French on packaging can result in fines. As of June 2023, small businesses with 5 to 49 employees must declare their employees’ French language skills, publicly reporting those unable to communicate in French,” said Marc Perez, organizer of Parlons du Québec | Let’s Talk About Quebec.
The coalition urges the public to join the protest, raise their voices against the language policies, and support the fundamental rights of Quebec’s English-speaking community. Participants are encouraged to use social media to amplify the message using the hashtag .
Bill 96 continues to evolve, with new business requirements into effect through June 2025. These include more stringent reporting and documentation standards, particularly for small businesses. The impact of this law is far-reaching, affecting how companies operate daily and challenging their ability to communicate and serve their customers effectively.
The Office québécois de la langue française (OQLF) is responsible for enforcing these requirements, conducting evaluations, and imposing fines on non-compliant businesses. This has placed a significant burden on businesses in Quebec, requiring extensive translation efforts and compliance checks.
The protest will be held peacefully, with measures in place to ensure safety and orderliness. Flyers outlining the protest’s objectives and the impact of Bill 96 will be distributed.
The protest against Bill 96 on June 8th aims to expose the egregious language laws in Quebec and advocate for the rights of Anglophones, Allophones, and Indigenous people.
Join us in making our voices heard and defending our fundamental rights!
