Tashi Farmilo
LJI Reporter

On the evening of January 23, the Task Force on Linguistic Policy hosted a virtual Town Hall to
provide an update on their ongoing legal challenge to Quebec’s Bill 96. The session aimed to
rally further support and inform the public about the current status of the lawsuit, which seeks to
overturn the controversial law. The Task Force, a crowdfunded organization, has been fighting
for the rights of English-speaking Quebecers who they argue are being marginalized by the
provisions of the bill.

Bill 96, a significant amendment to Bill 101, the Charter of the French Language, has been a
source of heated debate in Quebec. The law, which strengthens the use of French across
various sectors, affects everything from CEGEP enrolment to business regulations, and has
placed restrictions on access to government services in English. In addition, it invokes the
Notwithstanding Clause to assert that French is the sole official language of the province. Many
critics, including the Task Force, argue that these provisions are discriminatory and infringe
upon the linguistic rights of Quebec’s English-speaking population, estimated to number over a
million.

During the Town Hall, Andrew Caddell, the president of the Task Force, expressed the group’s
determination to continue the fight, stating, “Fighting Bill 96 is what we do, but we can’t do it
without you.” He emphasized that the Task Force is committed to representing not only the
immediate concerns of English-speaking Quebecers but also broader principles of linguistic
equality in Canada. Caddell made a direct appeal for more people to join the cause, noting that,
“When the judge asks, ‘So how many people does the Task Force represent?’ we want to say,
‘tens of thousands’.”

Legal experts who spoke during the event reiterated the importance of the ongoing case.
Michael Bergman, a lawyer for the Task Force, explained the legal arguments, particularly
concerning the federal government’s role in the case. He firmly believes that Ottawa must be
involved, especially given Quebec’s attempts to unilaterally amend the Canadian Constitution.
“The attorney general of Canada has a supreme duty to defend the integrity of the text of the
Constitution,” Bergman said. He added that without federal participation, the case would lack
the weight necessary to challenge the constitutionality of the law effectively.

As of now, the Task Force’s legal challenge, which was filed in 2023, continues to work its way
through the courts. One of the key issues at play is the federal government’s stance on the
case. The government of Canada has argued that, as Bill 96 is provincial legislation, it does not
need to intervene. However, Task Force representatives, including Bergman, insist that the
federal government’s involvement is essential, given the potential constitutional ramifications of
the law.

Throughout the Town Hall, Caddell urged members of the public to get involved by signing up
and donating to the cause. “We’ve raised over $150,000 to challenge this law, but we need ​
more support to keep going,” he said. With more than 4,000 supporters already backing the
cause, the Task Force is aiming to expand its reach and engage a larger portion of Quebec’s
English-speaking population. Caddell’s message was clear: “Quebec is our home, c’est chez
nous aussi,” he said, reinforcing the group’s belief in bilingualism as a cornerstone of Quebec’s
identity.

As the Task Force’s legal battle continues, the group remains steadfast in its mission to defend
the rights of Quebec’s English-speaking community and challenge the provisions of Bill 96.
While the legal proceedings are expected to continue in the coming weeks, Caddell and
Bergman both underscored the importance of ongoing public support, both in terms of donations
and engagement, to ensure that the fight for language equality remains a priority. “We’re not
backing down,” Bergman concluded, emphasizing that the task at hand is both a legal and
moral fight to protect the linguistic rights of all Canadians.

Photo: The Task Force on Linguistic Policy hosted a virtual Town Hall on January 23, to update
supporters on their legal challenge against Bill 96, urging more people to join the fight and
support their ongoing court case. (TF) Photo: screenshot of virtual Town Hall