The Liberals in turn denounce the slowness of the Ministry of the French Language in renewing the “Speak to me about a language” program, which for 25 years has allowed the arrival of authors in CEGEPs across the four corners of Quebec.
The duty revealed Friday that the process to renew this program has dragged on since June. While waiting for this precious financial aid to be released, establishments must fully cover the travel and accommodation costs of the authors they invite.
However, CEGEPs located outside major centers indicate that they do not have the means. A situation denounced by liberal MP Madwa-Nika Cadet, spokesperson for the official opposition on the French language.
“Why should a structuring project that falls squarely in the protection and promotion of the French language have to suffer the consequences of government bureaucratic complexity? There is no reason to keep educational institutions that need to organize waiting. Let’s not jeopardize an excellent initiative that has proven itself for 25 years,” she declared, directly challenging the Legault government.
Bureaucratic problem
The office of the Minister of the French Language, Jean-François Roberge, did not react. His ministry was until last year a secretariat which was part of the Ministry of Justice. These are therefore new civil servants who will have to process the renewal request for “Speak to me about a language” this year. This particular situation explains the slowness of the process, according to the Union of Quebec Writers (UNEQ), which administers this program, whose funds are allocated by Quebec.
Convinced that the program will eventually be renewed, UNEQ has decided not to wait for approval from officials and continues to process requests from CEGEPs, as if the renewal was a done deal. Establishments which have organized cultural activities since the start of the session thanks to “Tell me about a language” will be reimbursed retrospectively by UNEQ, when the renewal is confirmed.
From 2020 to 2023, “Speak to me about a language” could count on a budget of $240,000 per year. Annually, this sum allowed the organization of 300 to 350 activities.
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