MONTREAL - Some 300 Quebecers turned out in Montreal today to a rally aimed at protecting the French language and promoting its use among new immigrants in the province.
Politicians, union leaders and prominent sovereigntists decried creeping bilingualism in the province's public service and small businesses.
In a speech, Bloc Quebecois leader Gilles Duceppe pushed for a stronger Bill 101, the law that protects the French language in Quebec.
He wanted it applied to all industries covered by the federal labour code, citing examples like airports, banks and telecommunications companies.
Duceppe also took a couple of jabs at his main rival, Liberal leader Michael Ignatieff, for saying he wouldn't transfer new powers to Quebec if elected.
Recent polls suggest the Bloc and the Liberals are running neck and neck in the province.
