Montreal is officially opening its own French-language office

The City of Montreal is officially opening its own French-language office.

The city announced the creation of the new office, the Bureau de la langue française, in a media release last week. In the release, Mayor Valérie Plante said the office "marks a turning point in our engagement with promoting and protecting our common language."

CBC asked what concrete responsibilities and powers the office would have. In response, a city spokesperson said it will be "responsible for supporting the city in its transition to exemplarity," and for helping the city apply Quebec's new language law, Bill 96.

The city said it is budgeting $325,000 for the office, money that will be used to hire three staff members and for "operational costs."

In October, the city's French-language committee, which was created to review the use of the language in Montreal, presented a report recommending ways Montreal could promote French in the city. 

That report recommended, among other things, the creation of a municipal French-language office. 

At the time, Plante said the new office would not threaten Montrealers' access to services in their language, nor impact how cultural communities hold festivals to celebrate their heritage.

The city's French-language committee has also recommended promoting French among newcomers, including international students and providing a "passport" to French culture to newcomers in the city.

It also suggests inviting students to French classes and visiting municipal buildings.

In a media release on Monday, Louise Harel, the president of the committee, celebrated the opening of the new office. 

"The city is now sustainably enhancing and promoting the French language in all dimensions of its administration," she said.