APPELE-Québec

With the resurgence of COVID-19, it’s time for the Coalition Avenir Québec government to postpone voting for English school boards as it did with municipal by-elections. Delaying the vote is essential to protect the health and safety of the population and the integrity of the process. Until it is safe to hold elections, school board candidates who ran uncontested should be proclaimed elected on Nov. 1. The Government of Quebec must not appoint school board chairs and commissi...oners using the worsening pandemic as a pretext. // Avec la résurgence de la COVID-19, il est temps que le gouvernement reporte le vote pour les élections scolaires dans le secteur anglophone comme il l’a fait pour les élections partielles municipales. Le report du vote est essentiel pour protéger la santé et la sécurité de la population et l'intégrité du processus. Tant que la tenue d'élections ne sera pas sécuritaire, les candidats qui se sont présentés sans opposition devraient être proclamés élus le 1er novembre. Le gouvernement du Québec ne doit pas nommer les commissaires en utilisant comme prétexte l'aggravation de la pandémie. Comme pour les élections municipales, il est temps que le gouvernement reporte le vote pour les élections scolaires dans le secteur anglophone. Ceci est essentiel pour protéger la santé et la sécurité de la population et l'intégrité du processus. Jusqu'à ce qu'il soit sécuritaire de tenir des élections, les candidats des commissions scolaires qui se sont présentés sans contestation devraient être proclamés élus le 1er novembre. Le gouvernement ne doit pas nommer des commissaires en utilisant comme prétexte la résurgence de la COVID-19.

Huge Win for Minority Language School Boards! Given that the changes in school governance resulting from Bill 40 appear, at first glance at least, to withdraw powers of management and control from the English school boards and limit the eligibility of the members of the official language minority of Quebec for elected positions in the new school service centres, in this case the public interest leans in favour of protecting the rights of the official linguistic minority rather than implementing Bill 40 in the English educational sector, at least until there is a judgment on the merits," the panel of three appellate court judges wrote in a unanimous decision.

"Today is a great day for the defense of minority rights in Canada and in Quebec," commented Geoffrey Kelley, chair of APPELE-Québec. Kelley said he hopes the government will prolong the mandate of English school boards' current commissioners by one year to avoid an election in pandemic, we can take the time for the Superior Court to hear the case on its merits, and after that we can move forward.

Our English school boards have launched a legal challenge against Bill 40, the Coalition Avenir Québecs controversial legislation that abolishes our democratically elected school boards and transforms them into government-controlled service centres. Initiated by the Quebec English School Board Association and all nine of our English school boards, the court challenge maintains that Quebecs education reforms contravene our linguistic minority communitys right to control and... manage our school system. This right is under section 23 of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, which guarantees education in one of Canada's two official languages. Please consider making contribution to the Go Fund Me Page in support of this legal action to defend the Constitutional rights of Quebecs English-speaking community and to advance the minority-language rights of all Canadians. All donations, big or small, are appreciated but most importantly a large number of donors will be an emphatic demonstration to our governments that we believe in our rights and we intend to fight to protect them. And please help us get the news out by sharing this extensively with all of your networks. See more

As restrictions on social gathering ease up, the Museum of Jewish Montreal has relaunched its public walking tours program once again. The Museum is also excited to offer Bubble Tours for private groups of up to 8 family members or friends. These tours are ideal for those looking to try something new with their chosen bubble of people. Stepping off main streets and exploring the stories behind places around the Plateau and Mile End, the Museum hopes to show Montrealers a piece of their citys history they may not even know existed.

Despite a plea from community leaders read here: https://bit.ly/31PDUWP Premier François Legault said Thursday the government will proceed with an appeal of a Quebec Superior Court judgement putting the parts of the Coalition Avenir Québecs education reforms that impact English school boards on hold. Superior Court Justice Sylvain Lussier ruled that the Coalition Avenir Québec governments plans raised very serious questions pertaining to the constitutionality of Bill ...40, adopted by the National Assembly in February. // Malgré un plaidoyer des leaders communautaires a lire ici: https://bit.ly/31PDUWP le Premier Ministre François Legault a déclaré jeudi que le gouvernement procédera à l'appel d'un jugement de la Cour supérieure du Québec mettant en cause les parties des réformes scolaire de la Coalition Avenir Québec qui ont un impact sur les commissions scolaire anglophones sur la glace. Le juge de la Cour supérieure Sylvain Lussier a jugé que le projet du gouvernement de la Coalition Avenir Québec soulevaient de très sérieuses questions relatives à la constitutionnalité du projet de loi 40, adopté par lAssemblée nationale en février. See more

APPELE-Québec urges Quebec government not to appeal ruling on Bill 40.

The Quebec Community Groups Network applauded a Quebec Superior Court decision to suspend the application of Quebec government reforms to the governance of Engl...ish school boards while the courts review the constitutionality of Bill 40: An Act to amend mainly the Education Act with regard to school organization and governance. // Le Quebec Community Groups Network a applaudi à la décision de la Cour supérieure du Québec de suspendre l'application des réformes du gouvernement québécois à la gouvernance des commissions scolaires anglophones pendant que les tribunaux examinent la constitutionnalité du projet de loi 40 : Loi modifiant principalement la Loi sur l'instruction publique en ce qui concerne l'organisation et la gestion des écoles. http://ow.ly/WsGq50AVNdf

Quebecs English-speaking minority seeks interlocutory injunction Montreal, May 28, 2020 - APPELE-Québec has endorsed the Quebec English School Boards Associations (QESBA) constitutional challenge to Bill 40, An act to amend mainly the Education Act with regard to school organization and governance. The filing includes a request to the Superior Court of Quebec for an interlocutory injunction to suspend those provisions of Bill 40 which apply to English-language School Boards and indeed affect the entire English-language public school network. [ 517 more words ] http://appelequebec.org//court-challenge-to-bill-40-launc/

La minorité anglophone du Québec demande une injonction interlocutoire Montréal, le 28 mai 2020 APPELE-Québec appuie la contestation judiciaire, par lAssociation des commissions scolaires anglophones du Québec (ACSAQ), de la loi no 40, Loi modifiant principalement la Loi sur linstruction publique relativement à lorganisation et à la gouvernance scolaires. Le dépôt de cette demande à la Cour supérieure du Québec comprend une demande dinjonction interlocutoire visant à surseoir aux dispositions de la loi no 40 sappliquant aux commissions scolaires anglophones et, bien entendu, à lensemble du réseau scolaire public anglophone. [ 645 more words ] http://appelequebec.org//depot-dune-demande-de-contestati/

The Alliance for the Promotion of Public English-language Education in Quebec (APPELE-Québec) supports a lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of the province's education reforms. // L'Alliance pour la promotion de l'enseignement public de langue anglaise au Québec (APPELE-Québec) soutient une poursuite contestant la constitutionnalité des réformes de l'éducation de la province.

Organizations endorsing the decision to launch a court challenge include the English Parents Committee Association (EPCA), the Quebec Community Groups Network (QCGN), the Quebec Federation of Home and School Associations (QFHSA), the Quebec English School Boards Association (QESBA), Townshippers Associations, the Regional Association of West Quebecers (RAWQ), and the Canadian School Boards Association (CSBA).

QESBA denounces passage of Bill 40

Our page just reached 200 likes. Bill 40 on the other hand is not so popularOur page just reached 200 likes. Bill 40 on the other hand is not so popular

The Montreal Gazette: The imminent passage of Bill 40 seems inevitable. And now, so does a lengthy, expensive and necessary court battle in defence of the English-speaking minoritys constitutional rights.

Montreal, February 6, 2020 APPELE-Québec expressed today its frustration and displeasure with the Government of Quebecs decision to once again limit debate on Bill 40 by invoking closure. Since the tabling of this complex and at times incoherent bill it amends 84 separate Acts of the National Assembly Education Minister Jean-François Roberge has done everything he can to restrict debate on his proposed changes to the governance of our school system. [ 286 more words ] http://appelequebec.org//appele-quebec-deplores-governmen/

Montréal, le 6 février 2020 APPELE-Québec a exprimé aujourdhui sa frustration et son mécontentement concernant la décision du gouvernement du Québec de limiter une fois de plus le débat sur le projet de loi 40 en invoquant sa clôture. Depuis le dépôt de ce projet de loi complexe et parfois incohérent qui modifie 84 lois distinctes de lAssemblée nationale le ministre de lÉducation, Jean-François Roberge, a tout fait pour restreindre le débat sur ses changements proposés à la gouvernance de notre système scolaire. [ 316 more words ] http://appelequebec.org//appele-quebec-deplore-lempressem/

If the Coalition Avenir Québec government truly believes that Bill 40 doesn't violate the rights of Quebec's English-speaking minority, it should be ready to te...st its opinion in court, writes Geoffrey Chambers, President of the Quebec Community Groups Network. / Si le gouvernement de la Coalition Avenir Québec croit vraiment que le projet de loi 40 ne viole pas les droits de la minorité anglophone du Québec, il devrait être prêt à tester son opinion devant les tribunaux, écrit Geoffrey Chambers, président du Quebec Community Groups Network. See more

For immediate release Montreal, February 3, 2020 APPELE-Québec, an alliance of 16 groups representing parents, educators and the community, is urging the Quebec government to seek a court ruling on the constitutionality of Bill 40 which seeks to abolish our school boards. Since Bill 40 was tabled last fall, we have consistently reached out to Education Minister Jean-François Roberge and the Government of Quebec, offering to work with them to improve school governance, said Geoffrey Kelley, Chair of the Alliance for the Promotion of Public English-language Education in Québec (APPELE-Québec). [ 626 more words ] http://appelequebec.org//appele-quebec-proposes-path-for-/

Montréal, le 3 février 2020 - APPELE-Québec, une alliance regroupant 16 organismes qui représentent des parents, des éducateurs et la communauté dexpression anglaise, incite vivement le gouvernement du Québec à demander une décision concernant la constitutionalité du projet de Loi 40, qui vise à abolir nos commissions scolaires. Depuis le dépôt du projet de la Loi 40 à lautomne dernier, nous avons constamment tendu la main au Ministre de lÉducation, Jean-François Roberge, et au gouvernement du Québec, leur offrant de travailler ensemble afin daméliorer la gouvernance scolaire , affirme Geoffrey Kelley, président de LAlliance pour la promotion de léducation publique de langue anglaise au Québec (APPELE-Québec). [ 720 more words ] http://appelequebec.org//appele-quebec-indique-la-voie-po/

Commissions scolaires: Roberge brandit la menace dun bâillon

Education minister Jean-Francois Roberge says that if the opposition continues to slow down and block and obstruct working on Bill 40, he may invoke closure to pass bill abolishing school boards. CTV News21h

Quebec education minister Jean-Francois Roberge weighs invoking closure to adopt Bill 40.

Education Minister Jean-Francois Roberge says CAQ might use closure to pass bill scrapping school boards.

Learn more... http://boardsite.lbpsb.qc.ca//docs/Eligibility_Requirement

Former MNA and current Co-Chair of APPELE Quebec, Geoffrey Kelley, continues the pressure, along with dozens of stakeholder groups. "Kelley said that while Roberge did make concessions on issues such as allowing elections for the service centres that would replace school boards, much remains unclear on exactly how they would function and who would be eligible to run those centres."

Seen on the wall of a CSDM school in Côte-des-Neiges. Vu sur le mur dun école CSDM à Côte-des-Neiges. #localvoicelocalchoice... #voixlocalchoixlocal #saveourschoolboards #PL40jamais See more

Au terme de son analyse, la Commission estime que le projet de loi ne met pas tout en uvre pour assurer une participation réelle des élèves et des parents à la démocratie scolaire.

"Chair of APPELE-QuébecGeoffrey Kelley released the following statement: "Our common objective is to ensure that the governance of our school system supports and enhances student success," explained Kelley. "The diverse voices we heard at our hearing are unanimous in their belief that Bill 40 in its current form fails to pass this litmus test. Only through further discussion and analysis will we as Quebecers be able to reach an agreement on the framework required to ensure a successful path forward. Bill 40 represents the most important transformation of school governance since the creation of linguistic school boards in the 1990s, and we urge the Quebec government to take the time necessary to build consensus on the path forward." https://qcgn.ca/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/Appele-Dec.-3.pdf

"Les comités de parents récalcitrants soutiennent quun temps darrêt simpose pour réfléchir aux conséquences du projet de loi 40, qui va bien au-delà de labolition des commissions scolaires. Cette vaste réforme de plus de 300 articles, qui redéfinit léquilibre des pouvoirs dans le monde de léducation, faciliterait le magasinage décoles par les parents et donnerait plus dobligations aux enseignants, notamment en matière de formation."