MONTREAL, Jan. 26 (UPI) -- Quebec Premier Jean Charest has been accused of withholding a study revealing the decline of the French language in Montreal, it was reported.
University of Montreal Professor Marc Termote has alleged that when he contacted Quebec authorities about his study, which found that the French language was losing popularity in Montreal, he was told Charest was blocking its release, The Globe and Mail in Toronto reported Friday.
"I was told: 'We want to release it but the minister is blocking it,'" the demographic expert said.
Termote's study reportedly found the use of French in Montreal homes has been declining during the last 15 years and will continue to decline in the future.
The professor had conducted his study for the province's language watchdog agency and Statistics Canada figures have since supported his findings.
The newspaper reported that government officials have denied hiding the report, which will now be released in March as part of a comprehensive review of the French language.
