Scott Reid Speaks Out Against NDP’s Proposed French-only Rules

Ottawa –  There is a vote scheduled this Wednesday on a bill which, if passed, would force all federally regulated private businesses in Quebec to use French alone as the language of work instead of letting the businesses decide for themselves which language or languages to use.

Local MP Scott Reid will vote against this bill, calling it unfair and intrusive.

“The idea that every federally regulated business in Quebec should be forced to use French as the only language of work isn’t necessary and it isn’t right,” commented Reid.

“First of all, there have been no consultations with the businesses themselves or anybody else for that matter to find if this kind of new regulation is even desired, let alone necessary.

“Second, businesses themselves are in the best position to decide which language to use for their particular situation.  This would be yet another regulation that businesses are forced to follow, even though normal business considerations, such as competitiveness, dictate allowing businesses greater freedom. This would also be a legal impediment to the legal equality of native English-speakers and immigrants to Quebec who are more comfortable in the English language. We ought to be as respectful of this minority as we are of French-speakers outside Quebec.”

The provincial government of Quebec already mandates provincially regulated businesses to recognize French as the official language of Quebec and to use French in the workplace.

The NDP’s proposed change would extend this restriction to federally regulated businesses in Quebec, but no other provinces.  There are currently about 130,000 employees who work for the 1,750 private businesses who would be affected by the NDP’s proposed new rules.

Conservative MP Jacques Gourde, the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Public Works and Government Services Canada has also spoken out against this bill pointing out that while French is of obvious importance to the people of Quebec, more regulations would “impose potentially costly statutory and regulatory requirements on some private sector businesses… and particularly small and medium-sized businesses.”

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For further information contact:

Phil Joannou
Communications Assistant to Scott Reid, MP
613-947-2277

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