Judge suspends two articles of Quebec’s new language law regarding legal translations | Globalnews.ca
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Justice Corriveau ruled that the sections of Bill 96 that require corporations to pay a certified translator to produce French versions of legal documents should be suspended.

Judge Chantal Corriveau of the Quebec Superior Court has ruled that parts of the new Bill 101 reform, which requires all legal documents to be translated in French, requires more evaluation and suspends them in the meanwhile.

Groups say that hiring translators is expensive and would slow down judicial processes. They further say that it may be a violation of the constitution. The CAQ defends the reform by saying that it ensures that the judicial system is accessible in French.

I’m kinda curious what people outside of Quebec think of Bill 101 in general.

  •  alyaza [they/she]   ( @alyaza@beehaw.org ) 
    3•2 years ago

    i’m sure that in a mostly anglophone country there are valid concerns about the continued use of french and its long-term viability without state intervention and promotion like this, but i’m very curious how this:

    Lawyers representing the attorney general of Quebec pushed back on the idea that there aren’t enough translators or that the requirement creates any obstacles to accessing justice.

    On Friday, Elisabeth Gosselin, a spokeswoman for Justice Minister Simon Jolin-Barrette, said Friday in an emailed response to the ruling, “It should be noted that the provisions in this case are intended to promote better access to justice in the official and common language, French.

    can follow from imposing such a guideline on people who don’t natively speak french in such a specific context. translation of legal documents especially is not a thing you can just magic into being, and presumably anglophones also have a right to justice in the official and common language of every other province of canada besides nunavut, which would be english?

    •  Lionir [he/him]   ( @Lionir@beehaw.org ) OP
      2•2 years ago

      It’s worth noting I don’t expect most law agencies (I actually don’t know) to serve in Quebec and other provinces because Quebec is already special in that it uses Canada’s Criminal Code but its own Civil Code (based on Napoleonic Code).

      It’s also worth noting there is some level of precedent for doing this in Quebec through Bill 101 - All government jobs require knowing French and all documents and names must be in French. Employers have to give communication and job offers in French. Employers cannot fire someone for demanding French to be used or only knowing French. Product labels, manuals must be in French (although other languages may be available). If a product exists in French, it must either be only available in French or available in both. Business signs and posters must shown predominantly in French. You cannot go to English public school unless your parents have also gone to an English public school in Canada.

      At this point, it’s basically the next ‘logical’ step to make it apply to the legal system as absurd as that may sound.