Milliard promises a ‘better’ plan than the CAQ to protect French in Quebec

Charles Milliard, leader of the Quebec Liberal Party, speaks to the media during the party’s General Council meeting in Sherbrooke, Quebec, on Friday, June 5, 2026. (Graham Hughes/The Canadian Press)

Saying he shares the French Language Commissioner’s concerns about the decline of French, Liberal leader Charles Milliard said that his plan for French will be “better” than that of the Coalition Avenir Québec.

Earlier this week, Commissioner Benoît Dubreuil stated at a press conference that “the charter, as it stands today, will not be enough to stabilize the situation of French in Quebec.”

For the Liberal leader, “this means that the measures implemented over the past eight years are not sufficient.” In the same breath, he assured that his plan, which he intends to unveil by June 21, will address the challenges facing French.

“We will have specific measures that will promote French and protect French,” he said.

A few weeks ago, the Liberal leader wavered on Bill 96, which strengthens the Charter of the French Language. He initially stated that he was in favour of retaining the exemption clause to protect the law from legal challenges, thereby breaking a 2022 election promise made by his party.

His stance caused a stir within his caucus and among the anglophone community.

He then said he would amend Bill 96 and then assess whether the exemption clause is still necessary.

Earlier on Friday, the PLQ announced that it opposed the bill to extend Bill 101 to vocational training and adult education, introduced by Minister Jean-François Roberge.

“There is no discomfort with the language of the Quebec Liberal Party. We are fundamentally francophone. We are proud of our language,” Milliard said.

Liberals set out to reclaim the Eastern Townships

The Liberals are holding their general council meeting in Sherbrooke on Friday and Saturday.

The Liberal leader took advantage of the event’s opening to introduce the candidate who will represent the Liberals in Trois-Rivières — journalist and former city councilor Valérie Renaud-Martin.

The Eastern Townships region holds significant symbolic importance for the Liberals. Former Liberal Premier Jean Charest represented the Sherbrooke riding from 1998 to 2012. He will not be present at this weekend’s event.

Former University of Sherbrooke President Pierre Cossette aims to win back this riding for the Liberals. Milliard is running for election in the riding of Orford.

Meanwhile, the current MNA for Marguerite-Bourgeoys, Frédéric Beauchemin, is moving and will be the Liberal candidate in Brome-Missisquoi.

Related stories:

• ‘A little bit of PTSD:’ Kahnawake council calls out Quebec French-language law expansion
• Concerns over expansion of Quebec language law to adult education, vocational school
• Commissioner calls for more financial aid for immigrants to learn French
• Quebec premier said she wants to strike a ‘different tone’ with English-speaking community

This report by The Canadian Press was first published in French on June 5, 2026.

Thomas Laberge, The Canadian Press