During the recent French-language NDP leadership debate in Montreal, candidate Rob Ashton struggled to respond to a question posed in French, prompting him to request the question in English. Similarly, fellow candidate Tanille Johnston answered a question in French with the phrase “comme ci, comme ça,” commonly taught to English speakers but less frequently used by native French speakers.
The lack of fluency in both official languages among the five candidates vying to succeed Jagmeet Singh as the leader of the federal NDP raises concerns about the party’s credibility in representing the 22% of Canadians who speak French as their first language. With Quebec holding significant electoral importance, the ability to communicate effectively in French is crucial for the party’s success in the province.
Although the debate was initially supposed to be in French, it was later changed to a bilingual format, with candidates predominantly relying on prepared French statements before transitioning to English. Heather McPherson, the sole MP among the candidates, emphasized the importance of Quebec’s support for the NDP, stating, “Our party has no path forward without Quebec.”
The significance of French proficiency was underscored by moderator Karl Bélanger, a former NDP national director, who noted that only a few candidates demonstrated adequate comprehension and expression in French. Bélanger emphasized the necessity of speaking French fluently to connect with voters in Quebec and other francophone communities across Canada.
Despite the candidates’ pledges to enhance their French language skills, concerns remain about their ability to engage effectively with French-speaking Canadians. The upcoming English-only debate in British Columbia presents another opportunity for the candidates to showcase their communication abilities before the NDP selects its new leader in March.