The city of Montreal says it will back the borough of Pierrefonds-Roxboro in its bid to keep its bilingual status.

That status would be under threat if Bill 14, the PQ's proposed update to the province's language rules, becomes law.

The city's executive committee has drafted a letter urging the government not to move on the borough's bilingual status.

They point out, too, that it's a position supported by the Union of Quebec Municipalities and the Montreal Metropolitan Community.

Mayor Michael Applebaum says the borough of Pierrefonds-Roxboro has earned it's right to use both English and French.

"I think that they should be able to continue to maintain it."

City Councillor Marvin Rotrand says the actions Montreal has taken will go a long way to protecting the language status of its only bilingual borough.

"This aspect of Bill 14 will be significantly changed I think the battle has been won today."

Bill 14 has yet to pass in the National Assembly. The opposition Liberals say they'll vote against it, and while the CAQ has not taken an official position, the bill wouldn't pass if just a handful of CAQ MNAs vote along with the Liberals.

Photo: Kevin Gallagher