Montreal creates Bureau de la langue française to promote French on island

Montreal Mayor Valerie Plante said that her administration will set up a Montreal Bureau de la langue francais to promote and support the French-language on the island. (Jacques Boissinot / The Canadian Press) (Jacques Boissinot/The Canadian Press)

The City of Montreal announced on Monday that it is creating the Bureau de la langue francaise to promote and protect the French language in the metropolis.

The city’s French-language committee recommended creating the office in October, and the city says it “will be responsible for implementing the new provisions applying to municipal administrations, as set out in the Act respecting the official and common language of Québec, French.”

“As the French-speaking metropolis of the Americas, Montreal stands proudly as a bastion of the French language,” said Montreal Mayor Valérie Plante in a news release. “The creation of the Bureau de la langue française marks a decisive turning point in our commitment to promote and protect our common language. This office will spearhead our mission and bring the French language to every corner of our city, supporting our municipal services and inspiring our citizens to value our linguistic heritage.”

Plante said that her administration promoting and enhancing French in the city has been a priority for her administration.

The committee’s final report in October was the result of a three-year analysis of French in Montreal.

“French will continue to unite us and to be the common language of Montreal,” said Caroline Bourgeois, who is responsible for the French language on the City of Montreal’s executive committee.

The office will report to the city’s general management, and will also deal with funding agreements with Quebec’s French-language Ministry.