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Quebec’s language law enters the conversation
Bloc Québécois Leader Yves-François Blanchet accused Liberal Leader Mark Carney of siding with U.S. President Donald Trump over America’s recently released annual list of global trade barriers that includes Quebec’s controversial language law Bill 96 as a trade irritant between the two countries.
Hi, I’m a reporter in Montreal.
Quebec’s latest language law, commonly known as Bill 96, is in the campaign spotlight after it was identified today by the Trump administration in its annual list of global trade barriers.
Politicians in Quebec are defending it and pushing back on any suggestion that the French language regulations could become a bargaining chip in a trade war.
Jean-François Roberge, the province’s minister for the French language, spoke to reporters about it at the Quebec National Assembly.
Carrying an infographic that showed two different bottles of soap, one with only an English description, “soap,” and the other with both a French and English version “soap – savon” — a labelling requirement that was specifically mentioned in the U.S. report — Roberge said the province’s law is entirely reasonable.
“There’s nothing excessive about it,” he said.
Roberge said Quebec’s language laws, though they may present an extra hurdle to some businesses that want to sell products in the province, are “non-negotiable.”
Asked about it during a stop in Winnipeg, Liberal Leader Mark Carney said he would protect the controversial language law.
“At the beginning of my leadership campaign, I said never would we negotiate with the United States about issues that affect the French language and culture, and supply management,” he said.
“That will never be on the table.”
You can read a deeper dive about Bill 96’s appearance on the campaign trail today here.
