Thank you.
Good afternoon, Mr. Chair and members of the committee.
Thank you for the opportunity to appear here on behalf of TALQ, which represents Canada's English linguistic minority community, the English-speaking community of Quebec. I am TALQ's president, Eva Ludvig, and with me is our counsel, Marion Sandilands.
Before turning to the regulations, I would note briefly that this committee plays an important role in examining Canada's official language framework, including the Official Languages Act and the issues affecting official language minority communities. We appreciate the opportunity to contribute to your work.
More than half of Canadians living in official language minority communities are English-speaking Quebeckers. Our community is a significant part of Canada's official languages landscape, and TALQ welcomes opportunities to bring its perspectives to your deliberations.
TALQ supports measures to protect and promote French in Canada. However, that is not the issue we are debating today. French deserves ongoing support, and the federal government has a legitimate role to play in this regard.
Our concern is the model established in the Use of French in Federally Regulated Private Businesses Act and the regulations before you. In our view, this framework marks a significant departure from Canada's traditional approach to linguistic duality in federal jurisdiction.
Historically, federal language policy has treated English and French together, grounded in linguistic duality and respect for both official language minority communities. The new regime instead creates detailed protection for French in federally regulated private businesses without corresponding protections for Quebec's English-speaking minority. That shift moves federal policy toward a more territorial approach within federal sectors.
The proposed regulations also introduce a substantial compliance regime: declarations, filings, committees, assessments and enforcement mechanisms. While large firms may manage this, smaller businesses and new entrants may face added costs and complexity. This is significant because federally regulated sectors like banking, telecommunications, transport and logistics depend on national integration and predictable rules. A Quebec-specific compliance layer will have real operational consequences.
One likely impact is on labour markets. The regime will increase incentives for French-first staffing and advancement. While this benefits bilingual workers, unilingual or weaker-French English-speaking Quebeckers, newcomers integrating through English and some older workers may face reduced access to opportunities in these sectors.
These industries have historically provided English-speaking Quebeckers with access to Canada-wide employment while remaining rooted in Quebec. Any narrowing of that access has implications for income, mobility and confidence in federal institutions.
There is also a service dimension. The act strengthens the right to receive service in French, but does not create an equivalent right in English in Quebec. In some markets, English service will continue, but in others it may become less consistent or more discretionary, particularly affecting vulnerable community members.
Citizens, business employees and minority communities are entitled to know how federal law will operate. There's also a part VII issue. The minister has obligations not only to promote French, but also to enhance the vitality of both official language minority communities, including Quebec's English-speaking community. We therefore believe implementation should have been accompanied by a clear part VII analysis, setting out consultations, evidence, impacts and mitigation measures. Without it, Parliament cannot assess whether the regime is fully consistent with the Official Languages Act.
This committee has an ongoing role under section 37 of the act to review implementation, including its effects on Quebec's English-speaking community. To support that role, the regulations should include robust monitoring and reporting mechanisms that enable Parliament and the public to assess real-world impacts.