Montrealers protest Quebec language law Bill 96, call out Trudeau for ‘lack of support’
Posted January 23, 2024 3:02 pm.
Last Updated January 24, 2024 9:31 am.
Supporters with the Task Force on Linguistic Policy protested Tuesday in downtown Montreal against what they say is the mistreatment of English-speaking Quebecers – and they feel abandoned by the federal government.
They wanted to express their disappointment with the lack of support from Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and gathered in front of the Queen Elizabeth hotel, where the federal Liberals are holding their cabinet retreat this week.
Mario Napolitano is the president of Bridging Ethnic Communities and organized the protest – and says Trudeau hasn’t defended Montrealers against Bill 96.
“He proposed C-13. He hasn’t spoken out against the tuition hikes of McGill and Concordia. He’s our Prime Minister, we pay taxes to the federal government,” said Napolitano. “We’re not getting any representation.”
Sharon Brien is an English rights advocate who attended the protest. She said people don’t understand what Bill 96 is all about.
“We need more media attention. We need international American media attention. We need the citizens to understand Bill 96. Apparently, there is more issues that will be even worse.”
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Andrew Caddell, The Task Force on Linguistic Policy president, attended the rally along with his supporters.
He said that they’ve been completely abandoned by the federal government.
“In the past, the federal government would have defended the rights of Anglophone Quebecers, now they don’t. Consumed with the political consideration of losing seats in the Bloc Québécois, so they just don’t say anything.”
He went on to further describe how Bill 96 has affected people’s lives.
“We have a woman who went to a hospital and was refused services in English. The next day, went to another hospital, was served in English, she had Sepsis, which is a condition that could’ve killed her.”
“We have a woman who went to a hospital and was refused services in English. The next day, went to another hospital, was served in English, she had Sepsis, which is a condition that could’ve killed her.”
Cynthia Costigan attended the protest and said that the CAQ government is dividing the population.
“It’s very scary. We need someone who cares about all citizens and not just some of the citizens. We need leaders and we don’t have any, unfortunately.”
Last week, The Task Force filed an application for an injunction against Bill 96 in Superior Court which is expected to be heard in February.
