Quebec Liberal Leader Backs Notwithstanding Clause for Bill 96

Quebec Liberal Leader Charles Milliard Reaffirms Support for Notwithstanding Clause in Bill 96 Quebec Liberal Party leader Charles Milliard stated on Thursday, April 16, 2026, that his government would renew the notwithstanding clause to protect Bill 96, the province’s French-language law, from certain court challenges. Speaking during a press conference at the National Assembly, Milliard emphasized that maintaining the clause is essential to preserving the core of the legislation, despite internal party debate over the position. “I desire to protect a large part of Law 96, so I am in favor of that,” Milliard said, clarifying that his stance does not signal a shift toward the policies of the Coalition Avenir Québec (CAQ). He distinguished his approach by rejecting what he described as “excessive state intervention in the economy” and affirmed his opposition to dividing Quebecers along linguistic lines. Milliard indicated plans to amend specific aspects of Bill 96 to address concerns raised by businesses and newcomers. These include reducing administrative burdens on companies and extending the current six-month timeline for immigrants to access government services exclusively in French. However, he stressed that any changes would not weaken the law’s fundamental goal of strengthening French as Quebec’s official language. The announcement marks a notable departure from the Quebec Liberal Party’s 2022 election platform under former leader Dominique Anglade, who had pledged to withdraw the notwithstanding clause from Bill 96. Milliard noted that the party has previously used the clause in other contexts and maintains that it remains a legitimate tool when justified by exceptional circumstances. His comments followed a day of internal discussion within the Liberal caucus, where some members expressed surprise at the position. Milliard sought to downplay the controversy, stating that his view has been consistent for over a year and aligns with the party’s broader commitment to protecting French in Quebec. While the Liberals continue to oppose the use of the notwithstanding clause for Bill 21, the province’s secularism law, Milliard argued that safeguarding Bill 96 requires a different approach due to its cultural and linguistic significance. A 2023 internal party report, co-chaired by Madwa-Nika Cadet and André Pratte, had previously recommended that charter derogations like the notwithstanding clause should only follow court decisions and be reserved for exceptional cases. Milliard’s current stance appears to diverge from that guidance, though he did not directly address the report during his remarks. As of Friday, April 17, 2026, Milliard said he would continue to engage with party members and stakeholders to clarify his position, emphasizing that any reforms to Bill 96 would aim to balance linguistic protection with practical concerns for businesses and modern arrivals to Quebec.