Coalition Avenir Québec Education

By Dan Laxer
The Suburban

The Quebec English School Boards Association is “astounded, outraged and deeply alarmed” by the latest Quebec government cuts to education.

Earlier this month the Coalition Avenir Québec Education Ministry announced another $570 million in cuts, which is in addition to the $200 million it had announced in the fall.

On top of that, school boards and service centres have been told that they are not permitted to use any existing surplus or run a deficit to cover costs.

“This government is expecting us to make these astronomical cuts on the backs of our students, which is completely unacceptable,” said QESBA President Joe Ortona. “These reckless decisions will have devastating and long-term consequences for an entire generation of students,” added Ortona, who is also the Chair of the English Montreal School Board. He describes the cuts, and the way in which the news had been imposed upon schools, as “a direct assault on the viability of our public education system.”

In a statement, the QESBA is,“…calling on all partners in education, parents, and community members to stand united against these cuts. The future of our children and the strength of our democratic institutions depend on a robust, equitable, and properly funded public education system.”

A statement by English Parents’ Committee Association president Katherine Korakakis echoes Ortona’s. Korakakis is asking the public to sign a petition calling on the CAQ government not to proceed with the budget cuts.

Ortona decries the lack of consultation and the negative impact the cuts are likely to have on students. Korakakis says the cuts will “fall hardest on students who rely on speech therapists, psychologists, or special education teachers to help them learn and thrive.” n