The Quebec English School Boards Association (QESBA), which represents the New Frontiers School Board (NFSB), has expressed grave concerns over the Quebec government’s proposed constitution.
The association tabled a brief on Bill 1 at the National Assembly, and representatives appeared virtually at the general consultation on February 10 to express their opposition to sections of the bill that undermine English boards and their right to manage and control their schools.
“It is beyond bold,” said NFSB’s council of commissioners chair, John Ryan, of the proposed constitution. “It is so wrong in so many ways. We are doing everything we can to hopefully have it not survive, especially in its current format,” he explained, noting that QESBA is far from alone in when it comes to those criticizing the bill’s overreach.
Legal and academic experts, as well as community groups, human rights organizations, and all opposition parties in Quebec, have asked for the bill to be withdrawn, citing a lack of public consultation and the violation of minority and Indigenous rights among other reasons.
Of critical concern to school boards is a clause that would prevent them from using public funds to legally challenge government-backed laws. “That’s undemocratic, but I also think this is directed straight at the work that has been done by our boards,” said Ryan, referring to the ongoing legal challenges against Bill 40, Bill 96 and Bill 22.
According to Ryan, Bill 1 will centralize decision-making, increase provincial oversight, and reduce the flexibility of local boards to set their own priorities. This will be especially felt within community-based boards such as the NFSB. “We do what we can with what we have to share in support of our community,” he said, noting the Community Learning Centre concept as an example. “This would restrict some of that activity,” he said, referring to efforts to welcome community members into the schools. “And that is our strength,” he lamented.
The NFSB’s services to the local community are provided mainly in English, which could also become an issue if the bill is adopted in its present form. Ryan points out that the constitution lists French as the only official language of Quebec, and while the English-speaking community is referred to in the preamble, the bill does not guarantee or recognize linguistic minority rights. The rights of the First Nations and the Inuit community are also not acknowledged, said Ryan.
Ryan explained that it was especially important that school boards speak out now against the draft constitution. “We can’t wind back the clock. It will be the future generations who will pay the price,” he said.