En francais SVP! Quebec tells ministers to speak French with Canadian counterparts

QUEBEC – The Quebec government has introduced a new initiative that encourages cabinet ministers to speak only French to their counterparts from other provinces and Ottawa.

Intergovernmental Affairs Minister Alexandre Cloutier says the change is only a guideline, not a restriction.

Cloutier says the French-only guideline refers to exchanges by Quebec cabinet and deputy ministers during ministerial meetings.

He told a news conference in Quebec City today the ministers are free to use English in letters and during informal meetings with their Canadian counterparts.

Cloutier adds that ministers may explain subjects in English with their anglophone counterparts when they see fit.

He says the initiative is part of the Parti Quebecois’ plan to push its sovereigntist agenda and get more powers from Ottawa.

Quebec also announced the creation of a commission to study areas where it says the federal government has encroached on the province’s jurisdiction.

The Marois government has appointed former Bloc Quebecois leader Gilles Duceppe and ex-PQ cabinet minister Rita Dionne-Marsolais as the commission’s co-presidents.

Its first order of business is to examine the Harper government’s reform to employment insurance and recent changes to federal funding allocated for job training.

News from © The Canadian Press, . All rights reserved.
This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Join the Conversation!

Want to share your thoughts, add context, or connect with others in your community? Create a free account to comment on stories, ask questions, and join meaningful discussions on our new site.

Leave a Reply

The Canadian Press

The Canadian Press is Canada's trusted news source and leader in providing real-time, bilingual multimedia stories across print, broadcast and digital platforms.