Bill 96, an Act Respecting French, the Official and Common Language of Québec

Following careful consideration of the proposed changes to existing legislation put forth in Bill 96, Townshippers’ Association is compelled by its mandate to advocate on behalf of the English-speaking community in the historical Eastern Townships to react and raise concerns as they may apply to the diverse communities in our region. While in full agreement that the protection and promotion of the French language and culture is imperative to preserving Quebec’s unique character, the Board of Directors of Townshippers’ Association deplores the government’s attempts to achieve this through an omnibus piece of legislation and its sweeping use of the notwithstanding clause. It is our considered opinion that Bill 96 is not so much a measure designed to raise the status of French within the province and work against its perceived decline in the public sphere, but one aimed at achieving a certain level of social control over the access to, the use, and overall presence of, English within Quebec.