Quebec's English community has 'a fragile vitality,' Concordia professor says "We need to be careful and respect our minorities — respect, protect and support our minorities,” says Lorraine O'Donnell, a specialist in the history of English-language Quebec. Author of the article: Brendan Kelly • Montreal Gazette Publishing date: Jan 29, 2021 • January 29, 2021 • 3 minute read • The present circumstances of the English-speaking community are "a very mixed story," says Lorraine O'Donnell, who runs the day-to-day operations of the Quebec English-Speaking Communities Research Network. "I see challenges and I see opportunities.” Photo by John Mahoney /Montreal Gazette Article content Many in the English community feel that these are tough times for anglophones in Quebec, with English school boards in turmoil, Bill 101 set to be strengthened and reports that the federal government is contemplating revamping the Official Languages Act to strengthen protection of French in the province.