Quebec Liberals push for CEGEP language choice
Party members are calling to lift enrollment caps on English-language colleges, arguing adults should choose their language of study.
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Quebec Liberal Party members are publicly challenging the government's restrictions on English-language CEGEP access, arguing that adults deserve freedom to choose their language of higher education.
Bill 96, which strengthened the Charter of the French Language, imposed enrollment caps on Francophone and allophone students in English-language CEGEPs and requires all students to complete three French courses or three courses taught in French.
During the PLQ's General Council meeting in Sherbrooke on Saturday, André Pratte, chair of the National Policy Commission, said the restrictions go too far. "One thing is certain: we are affecting institutions that are important to the English-speaking community. Should this change? Absolutely," he said.
Pratte characterized Bill 96 as a backdoor mechanism to "limit people's choice to receive higher education in the language of their choice." He pointed out that no previous Quebec government had interfered with adults' rights to choose their language of post-secondary study.
Westmount–Saint-Louis MNA Jennifer Maccarone and Notre-Dame-de-Grâce MNA Désirée McGraw also spoke in favour of lifting the caps. "When a young Francophone turns 18, if they want to learn English because they see it as an option for the future, why shouldn't we let them learn it?" Maccarone asked.
PLQ leader Charles Milliard is set to unveil his party's French-language plan by June 21, which he says will be "better" than the current government approach. The position signals an emerging split within Quebec's political landscape on how to balance language protection with educational freedom.