Quebec election authority to issue voter information in French only

Élections Québec has announced that printed voter information cards will be issued exclusively in French for the upcoming provincial election to comply with the 2022 legislation making French the sole language of communication for public institutions. While the agency will provide a QR code for voters to access English information online, and Indigenous voters or those eligible for English instructions may request them directly, the decision has drawn significant criticism.

Advocacy groups, such as Talking Advocating Living in Quebec, argue that the move creates barriers for the approximately 400,000 English-speaking residents in the province, particularly unilingual seniors who may struggle with digital tools. Charles Milliard, leader of the Quebec Liberal Party, characterized the decision as an “unjustifiable attack on the electoral rights of English-speaking Quebecers” in a letter to Premier Christine Fréchette.

Premier Fréchette stated that the plan does not prevent English speakers from accessing necessary information, though she noted her government is in discussions with the chief electoral officer regarding next steps following backlash from various community groups and the Canadian Civil Liberties Association.