The Language Divide in Quebec | Bill 103

The English vs. French school debate is heating up once again in the Quebec provincial legislature. And Quebec families are getting caught in the crossfire.

First – a little history.

It has been Quebec law since 1977 that a child can only receive an English education if at least one of their parents attended an English elementary school, or if they spent at least one year at a non-subsidized English private school in Quebec. It’s a law that creates some deep divides between those who believe all children should have access to an education in the language of their choice, with those who wish to protect the use of the French language and preserve Quebec culture.

But with a new bill, the provincial government could crack down even harder on the “bridging school” loophole. Bill 103, proposed by Culture and Communications Minister Christine St-Pierre, would boost the minimum number of years required in an English private school from one to three, and add a provision that decisions would be made based on a case-by-case evaluation. But this is lax compared to the Parti Quebecois’s preference, which is to remove the option of private school altogether even if it means enacting the notwithstanding clause and drawing national and international ire....

[full blog post available at http://www.ourkids.net/blog/index.php/language-divide-913/. By Carly Maga, Our Kids Media]