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MONTREAL - Unifor strongly condemns the U.S. government's inclusion of Bill 96 - and all measures protecting the French language - as a “foreign trade barrier” in the latest National Trade Estimate Report on Foreign Trade Barriers. This position reflects a profound misunderstanding of Quebec's linguistic rights and democratic choices.
“Protecting the French language will not be a bargaining chip in trade negotiations. The French language is not an obstacle to trade; it is a collective asset and a fundamental right. This classification by the American authorities is an attack on Quebec's legitimate right to protect its language and culture. The protection of our language is existential for Quebecers,” Unifor Quebec Director Daniel Cloutier asserted.
Bill 96 and the other protections of the Charter of the French Language are designed to ensure that French remains the common language of Quebec, particularly in services, commercial signage and the workplace. These provisions simply ensure respect for the language rights of most of Quebec's population, and the vitality of a minority language on a continental scale.
“Respect for language rights is an integral part of workers' rights, and we cannot tolerate a trading partner seeking to weaken these rights for economic reasons. Quebec is fully justified in protecting and promoting the French language, and Unifor will always stand by its members to defend this fundamental right,” said Unifor National President Lana Payne.
At a time when the U.S. government also seems to be calling into question other fundamental elements of the Quebec model, such as supply management, Unifor reiterates that the language rights, cultural sovereignty and democratic choices of a people cannot be subject to the rules of international trade.
Unifor reiterates its commitment to defending the French language in the workplace and promoting real equality for all, regardless of language, origin or status.
Unifor is the largest private sector union in Quebec and Canada, representing over 320,000 members in all sectors of the economy. Unifor fights for all workers and their rights. It also fights for equality and social justice at home and abroad and aspires to bring about progressive change for a better future. In Quebec, Unifor represents nearly 55,000 members and is affiliated with Quebec's largest central labour body, the Fédération des travailleurs et travailleuses du Québec (FTQ).
For media inquiries, please contact Véronique Figliuzzi, Unifor Québec Communications Representative, at @email
