Savanna Craig, CUTV

October 16, 2022

MONTREAL – Ahead of Quebec's provincial elections, David Touchette a candidate running for Québec solidaire in the riding of Westmount-Saint-Louis sat down with Local 514 to discuss French language reform law Bill 96, xenophobia promoted by Coalition avenir Québec and his plans for Westmount-Saint-Louis.

Some Anglophones in Montreal feel betrayed by Québec solidaire's support for Bill 96. The party is known for their progressive policies, but some say Anglophones will be limited to their rights in Quebec as a result of this legislation. Québec solidaire said they intend to withdraw the six-month deadline required for immigrants to learn French and to recognize a special status for indigenous languages, if the party wins the election. 

Touchette said we have to fight for Anglophone and Francophone rights. 

Touchette initially denounced Bill 96, showing up to a demonstration contesting the law with his party badge, while strongly denounced Québec solidaire's position. Touchette's opinion on Bill 96 has since changed.

"I like my party," he said, adding that he was not happy about immigrants being required to learn French in 6 months. He said the way Quebec Premier François Legault talks about the situation divides people. He said he believes his party can promote the French language without dividing people.

Touchette said he spoke with a colleague at Québec solidaire about the law and now understands why the party supports it.

"In Québec solidaire we don't want to force people to learn French," he said. "I know we will have to explain more."

He said in English Cégeps, which are colleges in Montreal, students will only have to learn three more courses. Regarding another French language reform law Bill 101, Touchette said he doesn't want this bill to be applied to Indigenous communities.

"Québec solidaire has an important relation with indigenous communities," he said.

He said there are Indigenous community members in in Westmount-Saint-Louis, who mostly speak in English, and he said he must be sure that everything Legault has done won't impact their rights.