The Ville de Sherbrooke has received notice from the Office québécois de la langue française (OQLF) that the Borough of Lennoxville no longer meets the conditions for maintaining its bilingual status based on the 2021 census data.

These data indicate that 44.5% of the borough’s residents reported English as their first language, whereas bilingual status is granted when more than half of residents claim English as their mother tongue.

However, this recognition may be maintained if the municipality adopts a resolution to that effect within 120 days following the publication of the OQLF notice.

Next steps

• Tabling of a resolution to the Lennoxville Borough Council on January 31, 2023.
• Tabling of a resolution to City Council on February 7, 2023.

The OQLF’s notice can be viewed at sherbrooke.ca/avis-oqlf.

« To me, it’s important to maintain Lennoxville’s bilingual status. I have made this commitment in the past, and I will respect my commitment. Cohabitation of different cultures is a valuable asset for our city, and we must protect our diversity and our fellow Anglophone citizens’ right. » - Évelyne Beaudin, Mayor of Sherbrooke.

« Maintaining the borough of Lennoxville bilingual status is always a priority for me, the cultural, social, educational and community character of our borough depends on it. Our community’s historical cohabitation is exceptionally rich. Having received this notice, we are embarking today on the process to preserve our bilingual status for the good of our Borough and for the city of Sherbrooke. » - Claude Charron, Councillor of the Lennoxville district.