Quebec English community leaders rally against school board reforms

People representing English-language communities across Quebec met in Montreal Wednesday to denounce proposed legislationto abolish school board elections and overhaul the way schools are run.

At issue, they said, is the constitutional right of Quebec's English minority to control and manage its schools.

"The right to school governance is fundamental," said the former federal commissioner of official languages, Victor Goldbloom, referring to Section 23 of Canada's Charter of Rights and Freedoms.

Bill 86would eliminate elected school commissioners in Quebec's 72 boards and replace them with councils of 16 people, most of whom would be appointed.

The councils would include six parents, two school principals, one teacher, one non-teaching staff memberand six community members.

The government has said it wants thelegislation passed in time for the 2016-17 school year.

Lack of consultation: Jennings

Former MP Marlene Jennings, who chaired a recent study on ways to reform school board elections, condemned the consultation process prior to the introduction of Bill 86 last week.

"It makes a mockery of the English-language minority community's constitutional right," Jenningssaid.

QuebecEducation MinisterFranois Blaishas maintained that Bill 86 does not infringe on minority language rights.

That claim doesn't wash withJennings and other English community leaders, including Jennifer Maccaroneof the Quebec English School Board Association (QESBA).

"It distances the minority English community from all decision-making that pertains to their schools, their school boards, their institutions, their schools' and students' success," Maccarone said.

Legal challenge ahead

Last week,QESBAhired a lawyer and vowedto launch a legal constitutional fight if Bill 86 is passed.

Maccarone reiterated that position Wednesday.

The news conferencewas organized by the English Parents' Committee Association, the Quebec Community Groups Network, the Quebec English School Board Association and the Quebec Federation of Home and Schools Association.