QUEBEC -
The Parti Quebecois has tabled a bill in the legislature which would prevent immigrants who can't speak sufficient French from running in elections.
The Parti Quebecois has tabled a bill in the legislature which would prevent immigrants who can't speak sufficient French from running in elections.The bill was one of two the sovereigntist party introduced with the aim of shoring up Quebec's identity.
The effort comes as provincial hearings are being held into reasonable accommodation for immigrants in Quebec.
Among the measures proposed by the PQ are the creation of a Quebec constitution and a certificate of citizenship, the reinforcement of the province's language laws and the revision of the provincial charter of rights.
Under the proposed law, immigrants who can't speak proper French after an appropriate apprenticeship in provincially funded language courses would be forbidden from running for election in provincial and municipal elections as well as those for school boards.
PQ Leader Pauline Marois said she sees the measure as "normal.''
"We think that people who don't know French before they arrive in Quebec have the responsibility to learn,'' she said. "On the other hand, the Quebec government has the responsibility to offer courses.''
The courses would last three years.
The PQ would also toughen language rules governing small businesses.
It also wants the provincial charter of rights to reflect three fundamental values: the protection of the French language, the equality of men and women and the secularization of public institutions.
There is no time frame for the bills to come to a vote.
