Faculty alumnus and Provincial Finance Minister now responsible for relations with English-speaking Quebecers

Quebec’s Finance Minister, Eric Girard (BCom’89) recently added the portfolio of Minister Responsible for Relations with English-Speaking Quebecers to his responsibilities. This makes him a key voice on Bill 96, the French-language bill passed by the Coalition Avenir Quebec government in 2022. “French is in decline in Canada, Quebec, Montreal, so the numbers are undeniable,” says Girard, who has met with groups and individuals from the English community to understand their concerns. “By now I understand a few things where we can do better. I’m getting a feeling that people, that the English-speaking Quebecers, feel that they don’t belong in our project that we have in Quebec. Our project is inclusive, but it is not perceived this way.”

Photo: Jacques Boissinot/The Canadian Press