QCGN Advocates for More Flexible Regulations for Provision of Federal Minority Language Services

MONTREAL, Nov. 17, 2016 /CNW Telbec/ - The Quebec Community Groups Network is pleased with today's announcement by Treasury Board President Scott Brison and Canadian Heritage Minister Mélanie Joly that the government will undertake a review of the regulations pertaining to the Official Languages Act which deal with communicating to the public.

"It is particularly appropriate that representatives from Canada's official language minority communities have been invited to today's announcement, demonstrating the intimate links that exist between all parts of the Official Languages Act, which aims to ensure respect for English and French as the official languages of Canada, and support the development of our nation's English and French linguistic minority communities," commented QCGN President James Shea, who was on hand for the announcement.

"The QCGN welcomes an open process that ensures the regulatory framework supporting our Official Languages Act remains relevant, and flexible while preserving continuity of the federal government's duty towards the linguistic rights of Canadians," Shea added, noting that the QCGN, which represents a community of more than 1 million English-speaking Quebecers, has supported recent attempts to modernize the Official Languages Act; most recently through legislation like Bill S209, currently before the Senate.

Under the Official Languages Act, federal government institutions must provide services to the public in both English and French in regions where there is significant demand for services from federal departments and agencies like Canada Post and Service Canada centers. The government uses census results to determine what constitutes significant demand.

The Quebec Community Groups Network is a not-for-profit organization bringing together 51 English-language community organizations across Quebec. As a centre of evidence-based expertise and collective action, it identifies, explores and addresses strategic issues affecting the development and vitality of the English-speaking community of Quebec and encourages dialogue and collaboration among its member organizations, individuals, community groups, institutions and leaders.  

SOURCE Quebec Community Groups Network (QCGN)

Rita Legault, Director of Communications and Public Relations, [email protected], Telephone: [phone], ext. 223, cellular: 514-912-6555