Montreal library cites Quebec language law in refusing English book club

A Montreal author was told he could not host a meeting for his English book club in a Montreal public library due to Quebec's language laws.

A Montreal author says he was shocked when he was told recently that he could not host a meeting for his English book club in a Montreal public library due to Quebec’s new language law.

Christopher DiRaddo has been hosting book clubs since 2018 and has held meetings in all kinds of places for readers who speak English and French. With growing popularity, he was looking for a bigger space and requested a room at the Bibliothèque Père-Ambroise on Visitation Street in Montreal’s Village.

He was refused for two reasons: the space was already booked and Quebec’s language law, known as Bill 96.

“My first reaction was a little shock and anger,” DiRaddo told CTV News on Tuesday.

A copy of the head librarian’s email sent last Thursday to DiRaddo was shared with CTV News. It says the language law “requires us to program activities to be held mainly in French. Conversation in both languages (French and English) could take place, but citizens wishing to express themselves in French should be able to do so, and we should ensure that all conversations in English are translated.”

In his request, he had explained that while the Violet Hour Book Club is open to francophones and anglophones, the discussion would be in English.

DiRaddo thought that the library’s explanation was “ridiculous” and then took to social media to share his experience, where there was more outrage.

“We struggle to erase linguistic barriers. Others legislate them,” one person commented.

DiRaddo said it’s unfortunate that the library is placing “barriers” on access to literature, particularly LGBTQ2S+ literature, which is the central theme of the book club.

Library’s explanation ‘completely irrational’: lawyer

Montreal-based lawyer Julius Grey, who has studied the language law extensively and is involved in challenging it in the courts, said the explanation makes no sense and that “nothing in Bill 96 requires that sort of interpretation.”

“In fact, it’s completely irrational. Does that mean that you cannot have a language club when you practice French, Italian, English, Chinese, Russian? In order to speak it, you have to have a simultaneous translation while you’re practicing the language? Does that mean that you cannot hold a private club meeting in a public place?” he said in an interview.

CTV News asked the City of Montreal which article of the law prevents citizens from speaking English in a public place.

The city said there was no one part of the law that prohibits such a private meeting from taking place, but that the administration wanted to respect the spirit of the language law and ensure that anyone wanting to express themselves in French could participate.

“The city promotes events that represent all its diversity. As part of this commitment to inclusion and openness, the city has ensured that anyone wishing to express themselves in French can take part in the activity in question and have access to a free and informal translation of the discussions. This ensures that everyone can participate fully and feel included,” a city spokesperson said in a written statement.

But Grey says that’s not what the law was intended to say.

“I think it’s counterproductive. It makes the law look even more ridiculous at some of its provisions, and interpreting the law that way doesn’t make it inclusive, it makes it restrictive, petty and mean,” he said.

DiRaddo, who has never had an experience like this before, agrees.

“I think a lot of people are fed up and tired of these narratives that seek to kind of divide us … I think in reality, that’s not how Montreal works. That’s not how my communities work,” he said.

One of the books his group read earlier this month was the 2023 novel Ce que je sais de toi by Quebec author Éric Chacour. An English translation was published last year. He said some members in his group chose to read it in its original language, while the rest read the English version and all of them were able to have a “fulsome” discussion about the book.

“My book club creates a space where that can happen, you know, where you can discuss pieces of art across cultures and this leads to, I believe, a better appreciation of what’s being produced here in Quebec,” he said.

“I feel like, in a way, what I’m doing is something that the province and the city would like to see more of, right? And so I’m just kind of surprised that it’s just not enough.”

While he says he did appreciate the head librarian offering in her email other locations to host the meeting, he said he’s still looking for a new spot.