By Canadian Press

Montreal asks Quebec for help with language laws after English book club rejected

Jan 31, 2025 | 12:38 PM

MONTREAL — The City of Montreal says it needs more guidance from the Quebec government in applying the province’s language laws after a local library refused to offer space for an English-language book club.

Christopher DiRaddo, the author behind the Violet Hour book club, says the city told him today that he can hold his club meetings at the library after all.

The Père-Ambroise library had told DiRaddo that he could only host events in French, and city officials had said his English-language book discussions would only be permitted if he offered simultaneous French-language translation — a requirement he said was unrealistic.

After DiRaddo went public with the situation, the Quebec government said the province’s language laws did not apply in this case because the book club is not offering public services on behalf of a municipal organization.

DiRaddo says he welcomes the clarification and may consider hosting his club gatherings at the library, but he says he fears the vague nature of the province’s 2022 language reform may lead to future cancellations of English cultural events.

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For its part, the City of Montreal says it will educate its staff on how to properly interpret the language reform, which makes sweeping restrictions on the use of English in the civil service and other institutions.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Jan. 31, 2025.

Joe Bongiorno, The Canadian Press