English-speaking opponents of French-language Quebec law 96 protest in downtown Montreal on May 26, 2022.CHRISTINNE MUSCHI / Reuters
Ontario Rep. Pierre Poilievre is the only candidate for the Conservative leadership race that remains with Quebec’s controversial language law, Bill 96.
Mr. Poilievre was challenged by his opponents during Wednesday’s leadership debate to make clear his position on the extended language law, but the longtime MP did not. And his campaign has not made a statement since then, despite multiple requests. On Friday, Mr. Poilievre said he would not publish any statements.
The new law has sparked protests in Quebec and a national debate. But Poilievre dodged pressure from opponents to take a stand in Wednesday’s French-speaking Conservative leadership debate, held just one day after the Quebec National Assembly passed Bill 96. Despite opposition from Anglophones , immigrants and indigenous people, Prime Minister François Legault has said the bill is needed to further consolidate Quebec’s official language.
Bill 96 imposes new rules to strengthen the use of French in the civil service, education and business.
Mr. Poilievre is widely seen as the career favorite, and his decision not to reveal a position on the bill reveals his political calculations and hints at possible paths to victory, said Stéphanie Chouinard, a political scientist at Royal Military College. .
“To remain completely silent on this potentially explosive issue, he indicates that he believes the controversy over the bill will erupt over the summer,” Professor Chouinard said. It also means that he intends to avoid taking a position that would cost him support in either Quebec or the rest of Canada.
He said a public position by Mr. Poilievre would mean risking support for Quebec (if seen as overstepping jurisdiction) or risking support for English Canada (if considered too soft with the “less pleasant aspects of Quebec nationalism.”).
Professor Chouinard, who is researching language rights in Canada, said that Mr. Poilievre has the opportunity to make inroads into Quebec, in part because he is the only candidate other than former Quebec Prime Minister Jean Charest, who dominates French.
On Friday, opponents of Mr. Poilievre was criticized for his lack of transparency on a federal policy issue, with Quebec’s use of the clause nonetheless.
“Canadians and party members need to know where politicians stand on important issues, especially given that other candidates have recently changed their position on Bill 21,” he said. Charest in a statement to The Globe and Mail on Friday.
He said he agreed with the goal of preserving the French language and nation, but was concerned about how it was done and the effect on linguistic minorities. Mr. Charest said that if he were in government and an appeal reached the Supreme Court, “he would not remain neutral,” but did not say what position he would take.
Candidates Patrick Brown, Roman Baber, Leslyn Lewis and Scott Aitchison have criticized Bill 96.
“While silence may be politically appropriate, the Conservative Party of Canada must be a leader in defending the freedoms and rights of Canadians,” he said. Aitchison in a statement Friday.
All candidates “must not only oppose Act 96, but must commit to intervening in any legal proceedings against it,” Brown said.
The consequence of the law for the federal government (concerning the official languages and the Constitution) means that “these are not minor issues that anyone cares about,” said Joan Fraser, a retired Liberal senator and former editor-in-chief of the Gazette. Montreal, a member of the board of the Quebec Community Groups Network, which opposes Bill 96.
“These are big and important questions, and I think a serious political candidate has a duty to say what he can about the position they hold,” Ms. Fraser.
Montreal Constitutional Lawyer Julius Gray, who opposes Bill 96, said Mr. Poilievre in outlining his position speaks of a “decline in political standards” where “people will do anything just by votes and where very few politicians have the courage to run.” up. ”
“Mr. Poilievre claims to be a man of principles, and yet his principles seem to depend quite a bit on majority opinion, “said Mr Gray. He added that he is equally critical of Mr Charest, who said he very careful “.
With a report from The Canadian Press.
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