In a speech forming part of the continuity of his first term in office, François Legault admitted on Wednesday that his Law 101 reform would not be enough to stem the decline of French. According to him, the survival of the language is closely linked to immigration policies. But before knocking on the federal government’s door to demand more powers, the prime minister wants all Quebec-chosen newcomers to speak French.
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Law 96 isn’t enough, Legault concedes
Photo Stevens LeBlanc
Quebec Premier François Legault delivered his inaugural speech to the National Assembly on Wednesday, opening the new legislative session.
For the next four years, François Legault has made it his mission to reverse the inexorable decline of French in Quebec and especially in Montreal.
“I consider it my first duty as prime minister, as head of the only state with a majority French-speaking population in North America, to take the necessary steps,” he said. According to him, the existence of the nation of Quebec depends on it.
According to the prime minister’s own statements, Bill 96 reforming the French language charter alone cannot reverse the trend.
“It is not sufficient. We must not stop there,” he stressed.
His government aims for 100 percent French-speaking immigration and relies heavily on foreign students coming to study at Quebec’s CEGEPs and universities to increase the proportion of newcomers who speak French.
It is “a question of the survival of our language,” he also affirmed.
But the appeal of English is mostly to young Quebecers, whom the government is targeting.
“We must strive to make culture in French more accessible to our young people, so the Minister of Culture has his top priority for our performance halls, our televisions, our radios, our digital platforms in French! “.
“You have to be creative” to find teachers
If education remains François Legault’s “priority of priorities” for his second term, Wednesday’s speech sounded like déjà vu.
Marked for life by the book Six years ago everything was played, the Prime Minister continues to believe that children with learning difficulties must be identified as early as possible.
“That’s why we will continue to develop kindergartens for four-year-olds,” he emphasized.
However, the biggest challenge for the new education minister, Bernard Drainville, will be finding enough teachers to teach young Quebecers.
And a teacher doesn’t train by yelling scissors. “We have to be creative to get there quickly,” agreed François Legault.
A “consensus” on the 3rd link?
François Legault is pleased to see that the tram projects in Quebec and the blue line in Montreal are “moving forward” after years of waiting and is confident of winning the public opinion battle over the 3rd link.
“I am pleased that the debate on the Québec-Lévis tunnel is developing,” said the Prime Minister.
“I sense a certain consensus,” scoffed the chief captain, at least on the two reserved lanes [pendant les heures de pointe] to the buses, he said, provoking disapproving nods from Quebec Solidaire.
Later in a press conference, the parliamentary leader of the Orange elected officials, Gabriel Nadeau-Dubois, described this so-called consensus as “imaginary, as are the CAQ dams,” he added.
“Role model” of private mini-hospitals
François Legault has the ambition to turn the two private mini-hospitals promised during the election campaign into “models” for the future of the healthcare network.
“I see the leader of Québec Solidaire pulling all his hair out of his head […] You must not be dogmatic,” said François Legault, flaying Gabriel Nadeau-Dubois.
In view of the many challenges in improving the health system, the Prime Minister asked for the cooperation of all trade unions and professional associations.
“Everyone needs to get into solution mode,” said Mr. Legault, stressing the need to expand the responsibilities of different professions.
“Key Decisions” for Hydro-Québec
The next four years, the prime minister stressed, are an opportunity “to have a real societal debate about how to produce the 100 terawatt hours of electricity Quebec needs to become carbon neutral by 2050,” he reiterated, as he campaigned had said that it will be necessary to build the equivalent of “half a Hydro-Québec” to meet demand, which is greater than “supply”.
“Yes, we need to seriously think about building new dams.
“More than ever, we need to realize that our electricity in Quebec is precious, it has great value now,” argued Mr. Legault.
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