CUPE Quebec applauds the decision to increase the budget of the Office québécois de la langue française (OQLF), which was announced Monday by the Coalition Avenir Québec government. The French language has been a defining factor in the history and geography of Quebec for more than 400 years but faces serious threat if no proactive measures are taken to defend it.
“The situation is worrisome, especially in the Montreal region. Recent data has shown that 63% of companies here have required that future employees be proficient in English to some degree. All workers in Quebec have their right to work in French guaranteed by law. We must preserve the value of our language,” said Benoit Bouchard, President of CUPE Quebec.
The opening of three offices in Laval, Longueuil and Drummondville will enable the Montreal office to focus more closely on the local situation. The 50 new positions created will increase the number of OQLF employees to 291.
“The government has taken concrete action here. Not only is there a need to monitor the use of French in Quebec, but steps must be taken to support companies so that they create an environment that promotes the use of French,” said Marc Ranger, Regional Director of CUPE Quebec.