Six Anglophones, supported by former Liberal MP Marlene Jennings, filed another lawsuit Wednesday morning against the law that amended Bill 101 and made significant changes to the Charter of the French Language.
Law 14 (former Bill 96) was enacted in May 2022. Several regulations and laws were amended as a result. Changes in education – additional compulsory French courses in English-speaking CEGEPs, a cap on enrollment in these institutions – as well as higher French requirements for businesses and in terms of signage, among other things, have soured many English speakers.
In a press conference in front of the Montreal courthouse on Wednesday, Andrew Caddell, who is one of the six people suing the government, said he was aware that it would be “David against Goliath”.
“In an ideal world, we wouldn’t have to challenge this law, which shouldn’t have passed,” he said.
“You can promote one language without eliminating the voices of the other,” he continued.
For his part, M.e Michael Bergmann believes that this law is much more than “a question of the French language, bilingualism or identity”. This, in his view, is about the protection of individual rights and freedoms.
PHOTO PATRICK SANFAÇON, THE PRESS
Me Michael Bergman and Andrew Caddell
Marlene Jennings, also present at the press conference, pointed out, among other things, that when she consults a doctor – and this, even if she speaks French very well, she specifies – she considers it important “to speak to him in English to be sure that I understood everything and that the doctor understood correctly”.
Andrew Caddell also insisted on the microphone on this need to receive health care in French.
But Law 14 does not prohibit doctors from speaking to their patients in English, it was submitted to Mr Caddell.
He replied that this is nevertheless one of the fears of the English-speaking community, adding that if this issue of health care in English has been addressed by him and by Mme Jennings at the microphone, the challenge does not address it.
While specifying that certain aspects of the new law do not bother him, such as the additional French courses that will be imposed in English-speaking CEGEPs, Mr. Caddell says he refuses to be treated as “a second-class citizen” and to have to struggle to receive government services in English. That, he does not understand.
This is at least the fifth challenge to Bill 14, with attorney Julius Grey, as well as Indigenous people, having already filed their own proceedings.