With St-Jean celebrations around the corner, I want to set the record straight about who gets to celebrate. Answer: Everyone.

Every year I inevitably see a few English-speaking and allophone Quebecers express a mix of trepidation, frustration and uncertainty about whether they should even partake in the June 24 festivities.

I’m here to tell you that you should.

But I also understand where that confusion stems from.

All Quebecers get to celebrate the Fête nationale. The problem is that the word “Quebecer” doesn’t mean the same thing to everyone.

To some, it’s simply someone who resides in Quebec. If you live, work and pay taxes here, you’re a Quebecer. Grab that Fleur-de-lis and prepare to dance a rigodon.

Not so fast!

To others, the term “Québécois” encompasses more than just where you live; it’s a cultural and linguistic identity, designating the majority French-speaking population. To them, a “real” Quebecer is someone with French-Canadian ancestry. To others still, it’s someone who only speaks and prioritizes French above all. Since........

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