The Alliance for the Promotion of Public English-Language Education in Quebec (APPELE-Québec), is urging the Quebec government to seek guidance from the Quebec Court of Appeal over the constitutionality of Bill 40.
MONTREAL — A court should consider whether Bill 40 is constitutional before the National Assembly votes on it, a group of English community leaders argued on Monday.
The group, the Alliance for the Promotion of Public English-language Education in Québec (APPELE), opposes Bill 40. If passed, the bill would abolish school boards in Quebec, replacing them with service centres.
Following a hearing held on Nov. 18 on Bill 40; An Act to amend mainly the Education Act with regard to school organization and governance, APPELE-Québec, a coalition to preserve English school boards, is urging the Quebec Government to delay passage of the bill to allow for further discussion and analysis.
The Quebec Community Groups Network (“QCGN”) has not been invited to appear before the Committee in the course of its special consultations on Bill 40. Nonetheless, the QCGN submits this brief to the Committee.
In addition to providing an excellent education to students, Quebec’s English public schools exist to preserve and promote the language and unique culture of English-speaking Quebec. Schools are key and central institutions of the English-speaking community of Quebec. The Government of Quebec must recognize and support the linguistic and cultural rights of Quebec’s English-speaking community.
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The Alliance for the Promotion of Public English-language Education in Québec (APPELE-Québec) is hosting a public hearing this afternoon on Bill 40; An Act to amend mainly the Education Act with regard to school organization and governance.
The QCGN is funded by the Government of Canada through the Department of Canadian Heritage.
