Quebec politicians rail against ‘English week’ at Quebec junior college

“It’s not a problem because there are activities promoting French … in a francophone institution,” Minister of the French Language Jean-François Roberge told reporters in Quebec City. He said that if a francophone junior college was only hosting English events, “then we would have a problem.”

But moments later, Higher Education Minister Pascale Déry decried the event, telling reporters that students are having enough trouble mastering French and “English doesn’t need a showcase in Quebec.” She called on Cégep Garneau to instead focus on the promotion of Quebec’s only official language.

A little later in the day, Premier François Legault made the government’s position clear: English week, he said, is “not a good idea.”

“There’s already enough English among young people in general in Quebec,” he told reporters.

His comment echoed those from opposition party members, who denounced the event. Parti Québécois Leader Paul St-Pierre Plamondon pointed to what he called Quebec students’ constant exposure to English-language content through social media and streaming services.

“I don’t understand Cégep Garneau’s decision,” he told a news conference. “We’re faced with a standardization of culture in English by the American-British axis. Do we need to add to this when French is in decline in Quebec?”

Ruba Ghazal, language critic for leftist opposition party Québec solidaire, called the decision to host an English-centric event “a little clumsy” given the widespread influence of the language in the province.

In a statement posted to X, the platform formerly known as Twitter, Cégep Garneau said it is committed to promoting French, including during its upcoming francophone literature week. As well, the college said it’s home to a learning centre for students struggling with French.

The aim of English week, the college explained, is to develop students’ English skills in line with government curriculum requirements.

“Like all (junior colleges), Cégep Garneau fulfils the mandates entrusted to it by the Higher Education Department,” the school said.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 13, 2023.

Thomas MacDonald, The Canadian Press

by The Canadian Press

Quebec politicians rail against ‘English week’ at Quebec junior college

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