Changes made to English cégeps through Bill 96 must be realistic: McMahon

In a new interview in the Montréal Gazette, Vanier College Director General John McMahon discusses the debate around Bill 96 and the challenges associated with its rapid implementation. “It was a difficult year — we were being blamed for the so-called demise of French,” said McMahon. McMahon also shared that he was “shocked” by the way that the bill was implemented, with “absolutely no consultation, phone call, email or text message [with English cégeps] prior to the amendment being adopted by that committee.” He argues that advocacy from the English cégeps and broader community was ultimately what led to the bill being amended. “I hope the politics will move aside and people will realize that English colleges are fully committed to preserving and promoting French for all our students,” said McMahon.