PQ Government Plans 2027 Bill to Restrict Access to English-Language CEGEPs
Quebec's Parti Québécois government intends to table legislation in 2027 restricting English-language CEGEP access to legally eligible students. As a minority government, the PQ faces opposition from other parties over concerns about adult freedom of choice.
The Parti Québécois (PQ) government in Quebec plans to introduce a bill in 2027 aimed at further protecting the French language. The proposed legislation would restrict access to English-language CEGEPs—junior colleges where students typically begin studying around age 17 for two- to three-year pre-university and technical programs—to only those students who are legally eligible to study in English.
The year 2027 marks the 50th anniversary of the adoption of Quebec's Charter of the French Language. Pascal Bérubé, the minister of the French language in the PQ government, stated that the legislation is intended to protect the vitality of French. Premier Paul St-Pierre Plamondon supports extending eligibility restrictions to the province's English-language CEGEP network. The government also intends to support the renewal of the notwithstanding clause on Bill 96, which is set to expire next June. Without renewal, the clause has a maximum duration of five years.
Because the PQ governs as a minority in the National Assembly, it requires the support of at least one opposition party to adopt the legislation. However, opposition parties have raised concerns regarding the proposal.
Quebec Conservative Leader Éric Duhaime stated that his party would not support forcing adults to study in a specific language. Madwa-Nika Cadet, the critic for the French language for the Quebec Liberals, argued that restricting CEGEP access would not increase the number of French speakers. Québec Solidaire confirmed it opposes applying the Charter at the CEGEP level, citing respect for adults' freedom of choice.