PQ government officially drops Bill 14

The Parti Qubcoisgovernment says its controversial planto update and reinforcelanguage laws with Bill 14 hasbeen shelved for good by the minority government.

Language Minister DianeDeCourcysaid yesterday that there was no way she couldpass the billaftertalks with theCoalitionAvenirQubc(CAQ)broke off.

• Bill 14:PQgovernment may allow language law to die

The minister saidshe tried topass the legislation by makinga number of changes thatmet theCAQ'sdemands,but they were all rejected.

• Bill 14 moving forward thanks to CAQ support

TheCAQhad said it would only support the bill if the government made severalconcessionson controversial issues like forcing smaller businesses to follow the language rules, restrictingFrancophone studentsapplying for English languageCEGEPs, and possibly revoking bilingual status for dozens of municipalities.

• INTERACTIVE:Highlights from Bill 14

Qubec Solidaire's Franoise David said this development makes her concerned about thefuture of the French language in the province.

Why refuse that? I dont understand really the position of the Coalition Avenir Qubec. They will explain that, I suppose, but for me, its not reasonable, said David.

De Courcy said theonly hope of passing a tougher language law now would be for the PQto win a majority government in the next election.