Here’s how Quebec plans to ramp up protection of French language

How tough will you be to protect the French language in Quebec? We are the Parti Québécois. You can count on us on the language. And so, the Parti Québécois will table a bill to renew the notwithstanding clause to protect Bill 96 from constitutional court challenges for another five years. Former CAQ French language minister Jean-François Roberge tabled a piece of legislation to do just that last spring, but it was never adopted. Quebec's French-language minister, Pascal Berube, made his announcement as the Quebec Liberal Party is holding its caucus meeting at the National Assembly. It was a calculated decision. I want to make sure that they put this issue on the agenda. But the Quebec Liberal Party says it has no intention of being run by the PQ. At the same time, it's been a challenge for the Liberals to find the right balance between protecting the French language and representing English-speaking Quebecers. It's sensitive, but you know, Cathy, I want to be talking about the economy, I want to be talking about health care, I want to be talking about the cost of living. That's not what the PQ's been talking about since they've been elected. The Liberal leader didn't specify what he'll do with the notwithstanding clause on Bill 96. Using the notwithstanding clause is a tool that I want to keep, that I might be using. But I want to see what the Parti Québécois has in store for the protection of French. The Parti Québécois government will also table a bill to boost the protection of the French language. That will include extending Bill 101 to CJEPS. Opposition parties have already come out against the measure. Adults should make their own decisions. I think you're old enough to decide by yourself and that's why we've had a position that was very clear. For people who are adults, I think the bottom line is that you shouldn't tell adults in which language they want to learn. 2027 will mark the 50th anniversary of Bill 101, the Charter of the French Language. The PQ is a minority government. It will have to be strategic to get opposition parties on its side and avoid failing its goal to better protect the French language.