Quebec will be able to modify its section of the Constitution, believes Trudeau
(Ottawa) The government of François Legault will not have to fight a constitutional battle with the government of Justin Trudeau: it will be able to amend the Constitution as it aspires to do as part of its reform of Bill 101.
"Regarding the ability to modify the Constitution with regard to a particular province, what we understand from our initial analyzes is that indeed, Quebec has the right to modify part of the Constitution" , argued the Prime Minister of Canada at a press conference on Tuesday.
He underlined that the "observations" of the Quebec government were shared by the federal government, "that is to say that Quebec constitutes a nation and that it is a province where the official language is French" .
But in the process, the federal government will try to ensure respect for the protections provided "elsewhere in the Constitution, particularly for Anglophones in Quebec," noted Justin Trudeau, saying he was convinced that the federal and provincial governments can work together. to ensure the sustainability of the French language.
He underlined that the "observations" of the Quebec government were shared by the federal government, "that is to say that Quebec constitutes a nation and that it is a province where the official language is French" .
But in the process, the federal government will try to ensure respect for the protections provided "elsewhere in the Constitution, particularly for Anglophones in Quebec," noted Justin Trudeau, saying he was convinced that the federal and provincial governments can work together. to ensure the sustainability of the French language.
It was the first time that the Prime Minister offered his opinion on Bill 96 since its introduction.
Opposition parties all agree
Opposition in Ottawa is on the same wavelength.
Last week, Conservative Party leader Erin O'Toole dodged two questions on the constitutional aspect of the legislation. Since then, Mr. O'Toole has defined his position, said his press secretary in an email sent to La Presse on Tuesday.
"A Conservative government will always respect the jurisdictions of the provinces, which includes the articles of the Constitution reserved for certain provinces, allowing them to make changes unilaterally," it was announced.
In the Bloc Québécois, we did not throw flowers at Justin Trudeau for the favorable signal he sent on Tuesday, arguing that "the only appropriate response from the federal government can only be a commitment not to counter the will of the Quebec
in the matter, directly or indirectly ”.
In a written statement, MP Mario Beaulieu added that "it is not for the federal government, but for the government of Quebec, to decide [how] it intends to protect and promote the only official and common language of the Quebec nation: French ”.
Elected New Democrat Alexandre Boulerice is also of the opinion that the Quebec government is acting entirely within its area of jurisdiction. “It is in the prerogative of Quebec to make these changes. », He affirmed.
Entitled An Act respecting the official and common language of Quebec, French , the legislative measure proposes, among other provisions, to include two new articles in the Constitution Act of 1867 , to recognize that Quebecers form a nation and that French
is the official language of Quebec.
Opposition parties all agree
Opposition in Ottawa is on the same wavelength.
Last week, Conservative Party leader Erin O'Toole dodged two questions on the constitutional aspect of the legislation. Since then, Mr. O'Toole has defined his position, said his press secretary in an email sent to La Presse on Tuesday.
"A Conservative government will always respect the jurisdictions of the provinces, which includes the articles of the Constitution reserved for certain provinces, allowing them to make changes unilaterally," it was announced.
In the Bloc Québécois, we did not throw flowers at Justin Trudeau for the favorable signal he sent on Tuesday, arguing that "the only appropriate response from the federal government can only be a commitment not to counter the will of the Quebec
in the matter, directly or indirectly ”.
In a written statement, MP Mario Beaulieu added that "it is not for the federal government, but for the government of Quebec, to decide [how] it intends to protect and promote the only official and common language of the Quebec nation: French ”.
Elected New Democrat Alexandre Boulerice is also of the opinion that the Quebec government is acting entirely within its area of jurisdiction. “It is in the prerogative of Quebec to make these changes. », He affirmed.
Entitled An Act respecting the official and common language of Quebec, French , the legislative measure proposes, among other provisions, to include two new articles in the Constitution Act of 1867 , to recognize that Quebecers form a nation and that French
is the official language of Quebec.
Melanie Marquis
Press
https://www.lapresse.ca/actualites/politique/2021-05-18/projet-de-loi-96/quebec-pourra-modifier-sa-section-de-la-constitution-estime-trudeau.php
Press
https://www.lapresse.ca/actualites/politique/2021-05-18/projet-de-loi-96/quebec-pourra-modifier-sa-section-de-la-constitution-estime-trudeau.php