Dawson petition extended
A petition led by youth from Dawson College CEGEP urging the province to exempt Indigenous students from French language requirements has been extended another month, giving more people time to voice their opinion on the students’ demands.
“We’re planning on canvassing, visiting local high schools, and just doing everything we can to get the word out there,” said Dawson Student Union (DSU) vice-president external affairs Leilah Doyle.
As of publishing time, the petition has just under 2,500 signatures. Doyle and her fellow student representatives at the DSU are hoping that number can grow to at least 5,000 by the time the petition closes on November 1.
“So far we’ve had very positive responses,” Doyle said. “I think a lot of people don’t know very much about Law 14, and once we approached them and spoke to them about it, and had them look at the petition and what we’re asking, that information really changes people’s minds.”
Under Law 14, previously known as Bill 96, all students have to take more French courses at CEGEP, with many having to take a French-language exam at the end of their studies to prove their knowledge.
Though a certificate of English eligibility is something some students, including Kahnawa’kehró:non, are entitled to, all students still have to take an increased number of classes, needing five to graduate.
“This is an issue that should be addressed by everybody. At the end of the day it’s not just about students, it’s about the fact that it’s so easy for the government to continue taking rights away from people so easily,” Doyle said. “This is definitely an issue that should be concerning all citizens of Quebec. It should be everyone who’s rallying behind it.”
A delegation of representatives from multiple anglophone CEGEPs will be heading to Quebec City to formally deliver the petition once it’s closed. Until then, the focus will be on making more people aware of its existence.
“We have more days, so we have more time to really make our voices heard,” Doyle said. “This shows that it’s so easy for the government to be able to push back against Indigenous people. If it starts here, who knows how much farther it could go? It’s really important we stand in solidarity together.”
The petition can be found by searching on www.assnat.qc.ca, and can be signed by anyone in the province including minors.
