(Quebec) Québec solidaire (QS) calls on the Legault government to allow an exemption for indigenous students in line with the requirements of the new Charter of the French language.
The Act Respecting the Official and Common Language of Quebec, French – commonly known as Bill 96 – imposed new requirements on Indigenous students attending an English-speaking CEGEP.
English-language CEGEPs said in a letter to Premier François Legault that the new French exams and courses could push First Nations students to go to Ontario institutions or drop out of school.
At a press briefing at the National Assembly on Wednesday, solidarity MP Ruba Ghazal invited the government to show flexibility.
“I can assure you that it is not indigenous students in CEGEPs who are a problem linked to the protection of the French language. Often, French is their third language. It would be important for the government to listen to them,” she said.
Questioned on this subject, Ministers Ian Lafrenière (Relations with First Nations and Inuit) and Pascale Déry (Higher Education) argued that CEGEPs also had a responsibility to better support Indigenous students.
