Serving the Eastern Townships English-speaking Community since 1979.
TOWNSHIPPERS’ REACTS TO BILL 103
Sherbrooke July 5, 2010
Townshippers’ Association is looking closely at Bill 103 and will collaborate with the Quebec Community Groups Network in a brief to be presented to the Government of Quebec's Committee on Culture and Education, announced today the Association’s president, Gerry Cutting.
Earlier this month, the Government of Quebec introduced Bill 103, An Act to amend the Charter of the French language and other legislative provisions. Bill 103 is the Government’s legislative response to the Supreme Court of Canada’s decision on Bill 104 which found that sections of the Charter of the French Language designed to counter bridging schools were unconstitutional. The Government of Quebec’s Committee on Culture and Education will be holding a general consultation and public hearings on Bill 103 in early September.
Townshippers’ Association, among other English-speaking community groups, will collaborate closely with the Quebec Community Groups Network (QCGN) to write and submit a brief to the Committee. The QCGN, who represents 36 English-speaking organizations in Quebec, has as its mission to identify, explore and address strategic issues affecting the development and vitality of English-speaking Quebec.
“While recognising the urgency in addressing these issues,” Cutting added, “it is now more important than ever to demonstrate a strong and unified community. Townshippers’ Association actively supports the QCGN in its role as representative of the different English-speaking community groups at these hearings.”
The main concern of Townshippers’ Association, and the QCGN and its member groups, is that Bill 103 will have an impact on community vitality. The Quebec Community Groups Network and its Youth Standing Committee recently called upon the community and its government partners to ensure the English school system in Quebec is focused on the vitality and sustainability of the English-speaking community.