Provincial court rules that Quebec English school boards can communicate in English
Sophie Demers
Two Court of Appeal rulings were issued in June relating to the ongoing court proceedings between the English Montreal School Board (EMSB) and the CAQ governments Bill 96. Court of Appeal Justice Geneviève Marcotte rejected CAQ’s challenge to the April ruling allowing Quebec English school boards to continue communicating in English.
Last fall, the EMBS challenged parts of the bill which obliged Quebec English school boards to communicate in French. The ruling to allow English School boards to communicate in English is only temporary until the superior court makes a final decision. EMBS challenged the bill claiming it violates the English-speaking community’s right to manage and control their educational institutions under the Canadian Constitutions of Rights and Freedoms.
“The fact that the Charter of the French Language requires English school boards to communicate exclusively in French when interacting with other English-speaking community organizations never made any sense,” stated EMSB Chair, Joe Ortona. “I am pleased to see this injunction remain in place while we await a trial on the merits of the case.”
In Quebec there are French school service centers, governing bodies for French schools divided regionally. Conversely, English schools have school boards. Although similar, there are differences especially in regard to legislation. For example, English school boards are not targeted by Bill 40, An Act to amend mainly the Education Act with regard to school organization and governance due to a 2020 appeal. This is one example used by EMSB to support their challenge of Bill 96, which also used the term ‘school service center”.
This challenge to the bill, as well as others, is progressing through the court system. It is expected to be a long process.
“The Quebec Community Groups Network is pleased with this ruling,” said Quebec Community Groups Network (QCGN) President Eva Ludvig. “We agree with the EMSB that it makes no sense to require English-language school boards to communicate with each other or with the English Parents’ Committee Association of Quebec solely in French. Neither is it right that English school boards, which still hold elections to elect school commissioners, should be considered as simply a ‘school service center,’ as the Quebec government would have it.”
Bill 96, an Act respecting French, the Official and Common Language of Quebec, has been highly controversial with many organizations, associations, and universities speaking against many parts of the legislation.
