TORONTO — Harini Sivalingam, Director of Equality Program at the Canadian Civil Liberties Association made the following statement in reaction to Quebec Bill 84 – An Act respecting national integration:
Quebec has a vibrant and distinct culture and language that must be fostered and preserved. It is vital that the Quebec culture and French language be shared with newcomers to Quebec so that it can flourish for generations to come.
However, Bill 84 – National Integration Policy, is the wrong way to ensure newcomers are welcomed and included into the cultural fabric of Quebec society. The Canadian Civil Liberties Association is deeply concerned with the civil liberties implications on the rights and freedoms of newcomer communities imposed by Bill 84.
Forced integration does not foster inclusion and risks alienating minority communities from Quebec society. Instead, the Government of Quebec should invest in robust supports for education and support for community cohesion that enables diverse cultural and religious communities to learn French, and be exposed to Quebec cultural. Newcomers to Quebec, religious minorities, and diverse communities should be included and not excluded.
The reliance of the National Integration Policy’s on Bill 21- the Act respecting secularism of the State, is deeply troubling. Bill 21 is currently being challenged at the Supreme Court of Canada.
The Canadian Civil Liberties Association urges members of the National Assembly to vote against laws that infringe rights and freedoms of newcomers and diverse communities in Quebec.
About the Canadian Civil Liberties Association
The CCLA is an independent, non-profit organization with supporters from across the country. Founded in 1964, the CCLA is a national human rights organization committed to defending the rights, dignity, safety, and freedoms of all people in Canada.
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