Fortin talks English rights with Regional Association of West Quebecers
Fortin talks English rights with Regional Association of West Quebecers
Anglophone advocacy group the Regional Association of West Quebecers (RAWQ) held an information session with Pontiac MNA André Fortin on April 4 at the Little Red Wagon winery in Clarendon on the subject of English rights in La Belle Province.
After an introduction from RAWQ President David Gillespie, Fortin spoke for several minutes before opening up the floor to questions from the dozen or so attendees. [Disclosure: Gillespie also serves as the President of CHIP 101.9’s board of directors.]
Fortin spoke about the recent news with Quebec’s Bill 40, which attempted to abolish elected school boards in the province, and was successfully challenged by English school boards on the basis that minority language education rights are enshrined in the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. The decision last week by the Quebec Court of Appeal upheld a 2023 decision by the Quebec Superior Court.
When asked about cuts to health care services, Fortin encouraged citizens to hold public demonstrations protesting the actions, as he believes that public pressure is the only way to get a response from the current government.
