Too Much English on Quebec Government Websites, Says French-Language Commissioner
The report says seven major public bodies should verify legal exemptions before offering English online and warns current controls rely on an honor code.
- On Wednesday, Quebec's French language commissioner released a report recommending that seven major government bodies restrict website content to French, except where specific legal exemptions apply.
- These findings emerge nearly three years after Quebec adopted Bill 96, which mandated public bodies communicate exclusively in French, barring exceptions for groups like Indigenous Peoples and recent immigrants.
- Reviewing seven organizations, the commissioner found five lacked mechanisms to monitor legal exceptions, allowing immigrants to access English services indefinitely despite the Charter's six-month limit.
- The office recommended agencies verify legal justification before offering services in other languages, though the commissioner currently lacks enforcement powers to mandate changes before following up next year.
- Eva Ludvig, president of TALQ, criticized the recommendation as an "unjustifiable" attempt to "diminish and minimize the English-speaking community," emphasizing that services should remain equally accessible in English.
19 Articles
19 Articles
Quebec government websites overly available in English, says French-language commissioner
Many of Quebec’s largest government agencies continue to operate bilingual websites despite stricter requirements under the province’s language law, said the office of the French-language commissioner.
The Toronto Star
Too much English on Quebec government websites, says French-language commissioner
The findings come nearly three years after Quebec adopted Bill 96, which expanded requirements for the use of French in public administration and workplaces.
Too much English on government websites, says Quebec's language watchdog
Many of Quebec's largest government agencies continue to operate bilingual websites, despite stricter requirements under the province's language law, says the office of the French-language commissioner. Two reports published on Wednesday by the office conclude that the government is failing to achieve the objectives set out in the language reform adopted three years ago.The language office says websites of seven major provincial agencies general…
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