Quebec mayor says ‘one-size-fits-all’ language law isn’t right for his town where French is thriving

English is not Daniel Côté’s first language, but he believes it is an integral part of the town he calls home. As the mayor of Gaspé, Que., nestled in an inlet along the St. Lawrence River, Côté highlights the importance of cultural and linguistic diversity in their community. Gaspé was founded by French, Mi’kmaw, and English individuals, with the English population now making up about 11 per cent of the residents.

However, Côté expresses concern over the impact of French language laws on the town’s linguistic diversity. Following the passing of Law 14, also known as Bill 96, which focuses on the Act Respecting French, the Official and Common Language of Quebec, several towns without bilingual status are facing challenges in communicating with their English-speaking residents. Both New Richmond and Gaspé had to change their linguistic policies in November, with official communication now required to be in French only.

Côté acknowledges the need to comply with the law to avoid penalties such as losing subsidies from the Quebec government. This potential loss of financial support could have a significant impact on the town’s resources and services. Despite not agreeing with the law, Côté emphasizes the importance of following it while also expressing a desire to continue communicating with the town’s anglophone population in English.

Constitutional lawyer Julius Grey, who represents 23 bilingual municipalities challenging the law, points out the heavy requirement for municipalities to obtain bilingual status. To qualify, at least half of the residents must speak a language other than French, which Grey considers a challenging threshold to meet.

Scott Pearce, representing bilingual municipalities at Quebec’s federation of municipalities, highlights the benefits of bilingual status in ensuring equal access to information for all residents. He mentions Gore, Que., as an example of a town that maintained its bilingual status despite the English-speaking population falling below 50 per cent.

In response to the changing linguistic policies, Mayor Éric Dubé of New Richmond expresses a commitment to serving the English-speaking community to the best of their ability within the confines of the law. Organizations like Vision Gaspé-Percé Now are also stepping up to help translate and distribute important information to the English-speaking population.

Despite efforts to mitigate the impact of the law, concerns remain about its effects on vulnerable residents. Allen Richards, a member of a group advocating for anglophones on the Gaspé coast, highlights the anxiety and potential discrimination that may arise from the language restrictions. He emphasizes the importance of ensuring equal participation and access to information for all residents, especially those who may already be vulnerable or have lower levels of literacy.

Overall, the impact of Quebec’s language law on communities like Gaspé raises questions about the balance between protecting the French language and preserving cultural and linguistic diversity. As these towns navigate the new linguistic requirements, efforts are being made to ensure that all residents can continue to participate fully in community life.