Red Coalition files human rights complaints against Quebec on Bill 96

By Chelsey St-Pierre The Suburban, Aug 28, 2024

The Red Coalition, an advocacy organization dedicated to protecting the rights and freedoms of all individuals in Quebec and Canada, headed by Joel DeBellefeuille, has officially filed a complaint with the Human Rights and Youth Rights Commission (CDPDJ) against the Quebec government. The complaint addresses the widespread discriminatory impact of Bill 96, which according to its description is “An Act Respecting French, the Official and Common Language of Québec”.

In speaking with The Suburban, DeBellefeuille stated that Bill 96 is a catalyst for discrimination. “I don’t think they saw this coming. They thought the notwithstanding clause protected them but human rights is a whole other angle. Ultimately what the Red Coalition wants to see is the end result that organizations and other constitutional lawyers want to see struck down or modified to not impede on our human rights,” he said.

The Red Coalition highlighted seven violations of the Quebec Charter of Human Rights and Freedoms in its motion including: Section 10 — the right to full and equal recognition and exercise of human rights without discrimination based on language, race, ethnic or national origin, and other protected grounds, Section 10.1 — the right to live free from linguistic discrimination or racial harassment, Section 11 — the prohibition against distributing or publishing discriminatory notices, symbols or signs, Section 12 -the right to access goods and services ordinarily offered to the public without discrimination, Section 13 — the prohibition against stipulating discriminatory clauses in juridical acts, Section 25 — the right to be treated with humanity and the respect due to every person, Section 49 — the right to obtain cessation of unlawful interference with any recognized right or freedom and compensation for moral or material prejudice.

According to the legal action filed with the CDPD, Quebec has 30 days to respond. The Coalition’s motion states: “Since its enactment on June 1st, 2022, Bill 96 has sparked numerous conflicts within Quebec society, exacerbating tensions between the Francophone community, English-speaking residents, and those whose first language is neither French nor English. The law has led to an environment where discrimination is not only tolerated but effectively sanctioned, causing significant harm to individuals and communities across the province.” DeBellefeuille told The Suburban that the CAQ “deliberately and preemptively used the notwithstanding clause to pass this law. They decided to invoke the right to use that clause to put this forth. Uncontested for five years, they feel they are ‘untouchable’ but what they did not predict is someone like me and the RC coming at them via the human rights tribunal.”

DeBellefeuille says this is not a French, Anglo, non-Anglo or non-French issue. He is adamant that the discriminatory aspect affects people on all sides of this law that causes a division opening up persons from each language group to discrimination based on the division caused. “My fight is not one-sided to appease the Anglo community because the French community are also being lumped into the ‘names’ and subsequently being discriminated against as a result of this law. The CAQ government, through creation of this law, created an environment of hate and animosity, online, in schools and in the general public. It amplified the level of hate related to language laws.”

When asked what his concerns were in taking on this file, placing himself in the centre of an amplified longstanding battle, DeBellefeuille responded that “Rome was not built in a day and I have extreme patience when it comes to fighting the good fight.”