Quebec Liberals unveils $380M plan to protect French language if they form government

The Quebec Liberal Party is committing to invest an additional $380 million over 4 years to promote and protect the French language if it forms government.

The Quebec Liberal Party (PLQ) is committing to invest an additional $380 million over four years to promote and protect the French language, should it form a government following the Oct. 5 election.

Charles Milliard’s Liberals announced the budget for the French-language plan Tuesday afternoon in Montreal.

A significant portion of this amount would be dedicated to francization ($138.4 million), in order to reduce wait times and ensure “faster access to services.” The other major sum allocated in the plan ($110.6 million) would be invested in promoting reading.

“We’re going to help young people improve their reading skills and their ability to master French. We’re going to help immigrants who choose Quebec speak French more quickly and more fluently,” said the QLP leader during a press conference held at a bookstore.

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The PLQ’s plan is structured around seven main pillars: read, learn, integrate, protect, spread, thrive, and unite.

“This is a positive, ambitious, and multifaceted plan. There is no magic wand to improve the status of French in Quebec,” Milliard said.

Removing ‘Major Obstacles’

In its plan, the PLQ proposes to “take action where French is vulnerable.” To do so, it wants to introduce into the Charter of the French Language a “requirement for the government to identify geographic areas where French is vulnerable and to implement targeted regional strategies” to strengthen the presence of French in these areas.

Milliard cited downtown Montreal, where projects could take shape “to address this vulnerability” by working with the Office québécois de la langue française (OQLF).

“Rather than asking them (the OQLF) to act as an unwarranted police force, we will work with them on constructive projects specifically designed to improve the quality of French in vulnerable areas,” said the Liberal leader, adding that he wants to advocate for “specific, targeted measures” rather than a “blanket approach.”

The Liberal plan also aims to remove “major irritants that undermine support for the measures necessary for the vitality of our common language,” Milliard said.

“You can’t force people to love a language through bans and restrictions. A Liberal government will amend the French Language Charter to strike the necessary balance between coercive measures and incentives,” he said.

In particular, his party seeks to reduce the regulatory burden imposed on businesses and municipalities by the Charter.

He also wants the deadline requiring the government to communicate exclusively in French with newcomers six months after their arrival to be extended to two years. The PLQ maintains that, according to experts, an immigrant typically reaches an intermediate level of French after two years of French language courses.

The PLQ also proposes to remove the provisions that gradually reduce the number of available spots in the English-language college system “and that unnecessarily limit adults’ freedom of choice regarding their higher education path.”

A Milliard government would maintain the current ratio of enrollments in French- and English-language CEGEPs, which stands at approximately 85 per cent and 15 per cent, respectively.

Notwithstanding clause

Milliard had promised to present a plan for French by June 21, a few weeks after wavering on Bill 96, which strengthens the Charter of the French Language.

He had initially stated that he was in favour of retaining the notwithstanding clause to protect the law from legal challenges, thereby breaking a 2022 campaign promise made by his party. His stance caused a stir within his caucus and among the English-speaking community.

He then said he would amend Bill 96 and subsequently assess whether the notwithstanding clause is still necessary. The Liberal leader reiterated this position on Tuesday.

“Once we have made the amendments to the Charter of the French Language that I have just described, I would consult with the government’s legal experts to determine whether the notwithstanding clause is required to protect the Charter of the French Language.

“If so, I would not hesitate to use it to defend this new, rebalanced Charter with all the means at my disposal,” Milliard.

With files from Thomas Laberge, The Canadian Press

This report by The Canadian Press was first published in French on June 16, 2026.

Frédéric Lacroix-Couture, The Canadian Press