OPINION: English-speaking Quebecers reject the “historic anglophone” label
Submitted by the Quebec Community Groups Network
English-speaking Quebecers are proud Quebecers who reject the Coalition Avenir Québec’s decision to label our community as “historic anglophones” and its plan to limit government services in our own language to citizens who are eligible to attend English schools. That is the message 96 English-speaking Quebecers signed in an open letter to Premier François Legault.
“Our community is an integral part of Quebec with full rights to participate in Quebec society and to receive government services. We are not some folkloric ‘historic’ group. We are full-fledged Quebecers, who are committed to building an inclusive Quebec where French is the common language,” says the letter, published Oct. 29 on the website of the Quebec Community Groups Network.
The letter reminds the premier that eligibility to attend school in English in Quebec is not in any way linked to the language of the student or the parent. Rather, it is linked to the language of instruction received by the parent or the previous educational pathway of the student. “Most importantly, the use of the ‘English-school-eligible’ category is grossly under-inclusive,” adds the letter. “It removes the right to receive services … in English from between 300,000 and 500,000 English-speaking Quebecers. It is utterly divorced from our community’s self-identification,” the letter says.
“Premier Legault, your government should not be attempting to define our community or limiting our access to government services, whether for critical health and social services or the right to pay our taxes in English. We believe that the right to communication and services in English should never be based on eligibility for English instruction. We are confident that the status quo reflects the values and generosity of spirit of all Quebecers.”
Other English-speaking Quebecers who agree and want to help send a strong and unmistakable message to Premier Legault are invited to join the list of Quebecers who have already signed this letter. We particularly encourage political leaders, including candidates for municipal office, to sign on. Read the full text and consult the list of signatories on the QCGN website. Email fullfledgedquebecers@qcgn.ca to add your signature.