Rights of Quebec's English-speaking minority community are intimately tied to
those of the majority

MONTREAL, Oct. 18 /CNW Telbec/ - The Quebec Community Groups Network (QCGN) is pleased the Government of Quebec is no longer seeking amendments to Quebec's Charter of Human Rights and Freedoms in its latest response to the Supreme Court of Canada ruling on Bill 104. While the government maintained proposed restrictions on access to English schools that were included in the earlier Bill 103, the government's newly introduced Bill 115, An Act following upon the court decisions on the language of instruction, it has dropped attempts to slip in limits to minority rights in Quebec.

"The rights and freedoms that we citizens of Quebec and Canada possess are natural, inalienable and inherent; a fact that must be recognized and protected in law," remarked QCGN president Linda Leith. "The interests of society do not conflict with those of the individual and minority communities. We trust the Government will stop attempting to limit these rights and freedoms."

The Quebec Community Groups Network (www.qcgn.ca) is a not-for-profit organization bringing together 36 English-language community organizations across Quebec. Its mission is to identify, explore and address strategic issues affecting the development and vitality of English-speaking Quebec and to encourage dialogue and collaboration among its member organizations, individuals, community groups, institutions and leaders.

For the full version of this press release, visit www.qcgn.ca

For further information:

Rita Legault, Director of Communications, [email protected]     
Telephone:  [phone], ext. 223, cellular:  514-912-6555