Bill 14 unlikely to pass, CAQ says

The Parti Qubcoiss controversial proposed Bill 14 is unlikely to pass -- unless some major changes are made.

Coalition Avenir Quebec leader Franois Legault said today he will not support provisions forcing small businesses with between 26-49 employees to comply with proposed changes to the provinces language laws.

He also said he is against removing bilingual statusfrom dozens of municipalities, and wants to maintain the military exemption for English-language education.

"We need to change those three subjects. If not, well vote against Bill 14," Legault said.

The CAQs leader, who is from Ste-Anne-de-Bellevue in the West Island, said that communities with Anglos making up less than 50 per cent of population should be able to maintain their bilingual status if they want to.

"People in these cities, they know very well the contribution of the English community, and I think it should be the municipal council that should decide if they want to change that or not," Legault said.

Bill 101 is important to Quebec and it should be protected, he said.

However, he said the PQ should be flexible and open to suggestion.

"Of course, if the Parti Qubcois accepts to split the bill, then we can consider voting for part of it," he said.

"But honestly, I think that the Parti Qubcois are in a minority position and they should accept our conditions."