QCGN Denounces Cuts to French Language Services in Ontario
Nov 15, 2018, 18:30 ET
MONTREAL, Nov. 15, 2018 /CNW Telbec/ - The Quebec Community Groups Network condemns the decision by Ontario's Conservative government to abolish the Office of the French Language Services Commissioner and cancel plans to create a new French-language university.
"The QCGN has looked to Ontario as a model for how an official language minority community should be treated," said QCGN President Geoffrey Chambers.
He said Ontario has provided an effective example for the rest of Canada: a French Language Services Act, which is intended to protect the rights of Franco-Ontarians; an Office of Francophone Affairs that ensures Franco-Ontarians receive government services in French so they can participate in the social, economic and political life of the province; as well as a French Language Services Commissioner to ensure those rights are respected.
"One of those important pillars that protected the rights and interests of Franco-Ontarians has been abolished by the Ford Government," Chambers said. "This is a setback for the development and vitality of Franco-Ontarians and for all minority language communities across Canada."
Chambers noted that during the leadership race for the Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario, Doug Ford promised to support the creation of a French-language university in Ontario, a promise that was renewed by his party during the recent provincial election.
"We stand in solidarity with Ontario's French-speaking community and demand the Ford government reconsider these blind cuts that will cause severe setbacks for Ontario's French language minority community," Chambers concluded.
The Quebec Community Groups Network (www.qcgn.ca) is a not-for-profit organization bringing together 59 English-language community organizations across Quebec. Its mission is to identify, explore and address strategic issues affecting the development and vitality of English-speaking Quebec and to encourage dialogue and collaboration
SOURCE Quebec Community Groups Network (QCGN)
For further information: Rita Legault, Director of Communications, [email protected], Telephone: 514-868-9044, ext. 223, cellular: 514-912-6555