(Quebec) Québec solidaire (QS) calls on the Legault government to allow an exemption for indigenous students in line with the requirements of the new Charter of the French language.
There Act respecting the official and common language of Quebec, French – commonly known as Bill 96 – imposed new requirements on Indigenous students attending an English-speaking CEGEP.
English-speaking CEGEPs affirmed, in a letter to Prime Minister François Legault, that the new exams and French courses could push First Nations students to go to Ontario establishments or abandon their studies.
At a press briefing at the National Assembly on Wednesday, solidarity MP Ruba Ghazal invited the government to show flexibility.
“I can assure you that it is not indigenous students in CEGEPs who are a problem linked to the protection of the French language. Often, French is their third language. It would be important for the government to listen to them,” she declared.
Questioned on this subject, Ministers Ian Lafrenière (Relations with First Nations and Inuit) and Pascale Déry (Higher Education) argued that CEGEPs also had a responsibility to better support Indigenous students.