Quebec will rely on the good faith of people who ask to be served in English, despite the entry into force of the new law 101 supposed to restrict access to state services in the language of Shakespeare.
• Read also: Bill 96: Montreal imposes French in public services, with exceptions
• Read also: Quebec Inc. shows hesitation for an award of excellence in French
• Read also: “In Montreal, I should have the right to have my classes in French”: a young woman denounces training in English only at Air Canada
“We are not going to issue a card or file Quebecers in a big register. We’re not going there. I think that relying on the good faith of Quebecers is the right thing to do,” commented the Minister for the French Language, Jean-François Roberge.
Since yesterday, new provisions of Bill 96 oblige the State to offer its services only in French, except for the historical English-speaking minority, immigrants in the country for less than six months, Aboriginal groups and those who have communicated with the in English before May 13, 2021.
However, no checks are made and state or municipal employees rely on the good faith of citizens. At the SAAQ, the CNESST or the City of Montreal, for example, a voice message has been added to advise those requesting services in English that they must certify “in good faith” that they are part of the exempt groups. .
The city of Côte-Saint-Luc, in Montreal, even took the opportunity to add a message full of sarcasm to citizens who contact it.
Despite everything, Minister Roberge affirms that the new law 101 sends a message of “exemplarity of the State” in terms of the French language.
For his part, the Minister responsible for Relations with English-speaking Quebecers affirms that the government will act with “discernment”. Eric Girard also said that this is a “transition” period, without however specifying which measures could come into force afterwards.
“Anyone who needs access to services in English will receive them. We act responsibly,” he said in response to English-language media.
“If you need services in English, you will continue to be able to do so, but the government will first speak to you in French”, he then added in the language of Molière.