By William Crooks

Local Journalism Initiative

The Eastern Townships School Board (ETSB) is grappling with significant cuts to funding for its francization programs, a development that threatens the program’s future and impacts both staff and students. In a Sept. 30 interview, ETSB Chair Michael Murray outlined the extent of the cuts, the impact on the board’s operations, and the uncertain path forward.

The school board’s francization efforts have expanded significantly in recent years, growing from a modest base to accommodate between 400 and 500 full-time equivalent students. This growth aligned with the Quebec government’s push to improve French language skills among immigrants, refugees, and new arrivals, helping them integrate into Quebec society and find employment.

However, despite this progress, the board’s recent budget allocation, which arrived in July—two months late—was unexpectedly cut back to 2021 funding levels. “We’ve ramped up the program over the last three or four years, thinking it was in line with the government’s objectives,” Murray explained. “And then, suddenly, in the budget we received, funding was cut back to the 2021 levels.”

Murray expressed frustration and confusion over the cuts. Initially, the board hoped it was a mistake, but they later confirmed that the reduction was intentional. The delay and the cuts left the board with little time to react, and so far, no clear solutions have emerged. “There was a certain amount of disbelief and incomprehension to get answers from the authorities,” he said. “We found out it was not an accident or oversight but an intentional decision.”

Adding to the challenge is the complexity of the adult education funding structure. Francization programs are funded on a historic activity basis, meaning the board’s recent expansion efforts haven’t yet been reflected in the budget. “The budget this year is based on activity from years earlier,” Murray noted. “We’ve been ramping up, understanding that eventually there would be compensation, but we’re not there yet.”

In response to the cuts, the board began informing staff and students that the current level of courses may not be sustainable. “There’s a limit to how long we can continue to offer this level of courses,” Murray said. The program, which employs 28 individuals, including teachers and support staff, is facing a difficult future. Currently, the board is funding the program out of other parts of its budget, but this approach is not sustainable long-term. “We’re doing it now, but we can’t afford to keep doing that indefinitely,” he explained.

Murray highlighted that the demand for francization courses remains high, with long waiting lists underscoring the need for the program. “There are long waiting lists, which seems to indicate that this is something both needed and appreciated,” he added. The program serves an important role in helping new arrivals in the Eastern Townships acquire the language skills necessary to integrate into society and find jobs. “We’ve accepted immigrants and refugees into Quebec, and we’re now telling them that, sorry, we can’t afford to teach you French,” Murray remarked.

While the board is still searching for solutions, Murray was candid about the situation: “The simplest way to say it is, give us more money,” he admitted. “But, of course, it’s never that simple.”

One of the challenges the board faces is determining exactly where the cuts originated. Murray speculated that funding for francization likely comes from several ministries, making it difficult to track down who is responsible for the reduction. “It’s channeled to school boards through the Ministry of Education, but we suspect it might come from other ministries, which adds a layer of complexity in resolving this,” he said.

Despite repeated attempts to engage with the provincial government, Murray said the board has yet to receive a clear answer on why the cuts were made or how they might be reversed. “I can’t see why at the first moment we drew attention to this dilemma there wasn’t a stronger reaction to reassure us that a solution would be found,” he shared.

The uncertainty has placed additional stress on staff, many of whom are now unsure of their future. “Our staff is already under enough stress, and now they have this added uncertainty,” Murray explained. “It’s tough on them, and it’s tough on the students.”

When asked about the board’s next steps, Murray said they are still actively looking for solutions. “We’re continuing to advocate with the Ministry of Education and elsewhere, but so far, we don’t have any clear answers,” he said.