CCQAE survey blames french language requirements
A 2025 survey carried out by Leger for the Advisory Committee for English-Speaking Quebecers (ACESQ) examined the impact of language requirements on English-speaking workers. The ACESQ summarized the survey findings as follows.
The survey found that out of a perceived fear of non-compliance with language law Bill 96 (Law 14), a third of Quebec employers polled have changed their hiring practices, including reducing or halting the hiring of English speakers.
And again according to ACESQ , English speakers in Quebec face greater labour market vulnerability, including higher unemployment and lower incomes, than their French-speaking counterparts, and that Law 14 Drives Hiring Hesitancy.
Here is what the survey actually said.
Léger survey actual findings
The most important reason for not hiring or rarely hiring English-speaking employees is the need for strong proficiency in French.
The survey also found that:
A third of employers who hired English-speaking employees encountered challenges in integrating English-speaking staff. Employers mainly report language barrier issues.
Our take
To us, this shows that the main impediment facing most English employees is that they graduated from an English school system that does not require a real mastery of french to graduate. ACESQ does not identify this basic impediment, nor does it recommend changes to the English school system.
We have explained elsewhere what steps the QC government should take to ensure all students, including English students, graduate with a real mastery of french. Our taxes fund this organization. It should stop wasting time and money on surveys and then ignoring the results. Take real action to correct the situation.
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Marc Ryan
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