Slaw: Amending the Charter of the French Language and other laws

December 6, 2012 Yosie Saint-Cyr, LL.B. Managing Editor Corporate Immigration, Employee Relations, Employment/Labour Standards, HR Policies and Procedures, HRMS, Human Resources, Training and Development, Union Relations

On December 5, 2012, the Quebec government tabled Bill 14, An Act to amend the Charter of the French language, the Charter of Rights and Freedoms and other legislative provisions to improve yet again the eminence of the French language in Quebec. The Bill focuses on the enhanced use of French at work, in schools, and when transacting business to prevent the decline of its use in Quebec. The Bill also contains measures to ensure an improved integration of immigrants in Quebec by providing better access to learn the French language and the culture.

In support of the Bill, Diane De Courcy, the minister responsible for the Charter of the French language, stated,

Since the creation of the Charter of the French language 35 years ago, Quebec has changed profoundly. The Charter should be modernized to reflect these changes. In a context where the presence of English is increasing in the Quebec environment not only on the island of Montreal but also in the suburbs and area, it is our duty to ensure the vitality and sustainability French.”

The preamble of the Charter of the French language makes it clear that everyone has the right to live and work using the French language, and that it is the official language of Quebec in government, law, work, education, commerce and business. This preamble is now elaborated to acknowledge that,

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Yosie Saint-Cyr, LL.B. Managing Editor

Managing Editor at First Reference Inc.

Yosie Saint-Cyr, LL.B., is a trained lawyer called to the Quebec bar in 1988 and is still a member in good standing. She practiced business, employment and labour law until 1999. For over 18 years, Yosie has been the Managing Editor of the following publications, Human Resources Advisor, Human Resources PolicyPro, HRinfodesk and Accessibility Standards PolicyPro from First Reference. Yosie is one of Canada’s best known and most respected HR authors, with an extensive background in employment and labour across the country. Read more