Claude Larochelle supports the appointment of a French Language Commissioner | Committee ad hoc on the French language
Laval, Tuesday, July 15, 2025 - The committee's report ad hoc on the French language was finally tabled at the city council meeting on July 8, with the first recommendation being the creation of a commissioner position responsible for monitoring the implementation of the action plan for the enhancement of the French language to be carried out by the municipality. Claude Larochelle, leader of the Parti Laval and instigator of the committee, is calling on the administration to step up a gear and appoint the commissioner recommended by the committee as soon as possible: "After more than 3 years of waiting, I'd like to stress the importance of taking concrete and rapid action to promote the French language in Laval. We have an excellent report, now we need to act quickly," says Mr. Larochelle.
Enough talk. Let's get down to business.
Last Tuesday, Mr. Larochelle praised the excellent work of the committee members, who, in his own words, "have done an exceptional, professional and objective job". However, he did not fail to point out the Boyer administration's wait-and-see attitude and slowness in this matter. In fact, proposed in May 2022 and adopted the following month, the French Language Committee was not officially constituted until February 2023, its first appointments followed in September, and it was not until January 2024 that its full composition allowed work to begin.
According to the Parti Laval leader, this slowness illustrates Mayor Boyer's party's disengagement from the French language issue, as well as a lack of leadership that confirms the need to act as quickly as possible. "Back in 2022, we were already stressing the urgency of taking action. Today, it's even truer. Although we have recommendations and a report, there are still no clear and effective rules, policies or instructions regarding the French language in Laval. That's exactly why I want the council to adopt a resolution to appoint a commissioner, as recommended by the committee in its report, to oversee the implementation of the city's action plan for the French language," explains the Parti Laval leader.
"Real change doesn't just happen at the microphone or in front of the cameras. When we care about an issue, we have to talk about it, and we have to take real action," concludes Claude Larochelle. Parti Laval's proposal will be debated at the August 12 municipal council meeting.
SOURCE :
Office of the Official Opposition of Ville de Laval
INFORMATION : Tommy Vallée | Communications Manager
438 875 8663 │t.vallee@laval.ca