In solution mode | One day, Montreal will be the French-speaking metropolis of the Americas

Over the past few years, even months, the City of Montreal’s timid commitment to French has repeatedly made the headlines.


Published at 1:50 a.m.

Updated at 3:00 p.m.

Mathieu Roy

Doctoral student in history

With the tabling of the Recommendations Report on the French language from the City’s French Language Committee⁠1chaired by Louise Harel, Mayor Valérie Plante has a unique opportunity to make unifying and lasting gestures in the City’s areas of jurisdiction to make Montreal the true French-speaking metropolis of the Americas.

To this end, let us first underline the seriousness of the approach. The report’s desire to insert itself into the international Francophonie in order to enable the economic and cultural influence of Montreal, to consider our language as a transversal issue in order to establish partnerships with civil society and to bring to the fore not one Montreal culture, but also national culture, are more than welcome propositions.

Among the key recommendations of the report, we highlight the excellent idea of ​​creating an Office of the French Language and Francophonie, which would be endowed with the same powers and resources as the Office of the Commissioner for the Fight against Racism and Discrimination. systemic.

We can also wonder why this was not already the case. The report also proposes modifying the City of Montreal 2030 strategic plan in order to make the defense and promotion of French as a common language a priority. In addition, it calls for more funding for National Day festivities and the use of the City’s cultural infrastructures, such as libraries and cultural centers, in order to facilitate the integration of newcomers speaking French into Quebec society. .

Close monitoring, clear schedule

For us to collectively succeed in improving the situation of French in Montreal, the Plante administration will have to follow up on these recommendations and implement them. Elected officials, if they really care about French, will have to ensure the application of these measures and close monitoring of these proposals with civil society partners, who should be involved in this process. Likewise, a clear timetable will be required so that the municipal election campaign scheduled for fall 2025 does not serve as a pretext for postponing the recommendations.

While welcoming the committee’s measures, it is imperative to recall that the City’s commitment to setting up a Montreal French Language Council, an advisory body made up of citizens, must be translated into action. Remember that this commitment was made unanimously at the municipal council in June 2021 through a motion, following a petition signed by more than 18,000 Montrealers.

A Montreal French Language Council would complement the recommendations made by the Harel committee, in particular that concerning the establishment of an Office of the French Language and Francophonie, more focused on administration.

A Council would ensure permanent consultation of stakeholders, the submission of annual proposals to monitor the evolution of the state of French, the broadening of the field of reflection on the language in the different jurisdictions of the City and the carrying out of targeted studies to get a better idea of ​​linguistic dynamics in the Montreal context. In this sense, the Council is essential to ensure quality citizen participation and discussion adapted to Montreal. It will need to have a clear and strong mandate so that its mission is not diluted over time.

The creation of a Montreal French Language Council is therefore not cosmetic. Just like the Council of Montrealers, the Youth Council or the Intercultural Council, a French Language Council would make it possible to advise the administration using studies, opinions and recommendations to elected officials meeting at the municipal council. Democracy is at stake, but also the perpetuation of discussions on the promotion of French in Montreal. One thing is certain, after more than two years of reflection and a report as solid as that of the Committee on the French language in its hands, the Plante administration now has everything in hand to act.

1. Read “State of French in Montreal – “The situation is reversible”, considers a city committee”

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