Allison Hanes: The uniqueness of France for English parents

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A French-only information session for parents of students with special needs attending English public schools in Quebec was the latest blow to the rights of Quebec's anglophone community under Bill 96.

Last week, the Association of English Parents' Committees organized a webinar with Ministry of Education officials so they could explain the programs and pathways available to children with cognitive disabilities and learning difficulties, including autism. For parents in French schools, a parallel event was held in March under the leadership of the Parents' Committee du Quebec Federation.

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But when the ministry's expert appeared online to appeal to English parents, he came forward only in French.

Catherine Korakakis, president of EPCA, said she was floored.

“The woman says, 'The slides will be in English, but the presentation will be in French.' And I was so shocked that I was speechless. If you know me, that won't happen. First of all, I was embarrassed, shocked, I didn't know what to do,” Korakakis recalled. “Then I'm getting messages from parents (on the chat), like blaming me, like, 'Oh, you said the presentation was going to be in English.' 'I did not understand.' “When does English class start?” At some point I have to say something. So I stop him and say, “Sorry, it has to be in English.” Then he says: — I'm talking about another word, here — “We want to give it in English, but according to the law, we can't.”

Korakakis wanted to stay away from the story and save the story for the parents, so after a while he offered to go straight to the question-and-answer session. According to him, this issue was conducted in English. There was no language barrier as the ministerial official was a speaker.

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“I felt so blindsided and sad because it was the first time something like this had happened,” said Korakakis, who has always had a good relationship with the education ministry, is bilingual and has never experienced such a barrier before. .

What worried him most was that parents were losing the opportunity to learn about the options available to their children in the English school system.

“These are the most vulnerable parents. These are parents with special needs. They have a lot on their shoulders,” he said. “At the end of the day, I want to give parents information so they can make an informed decision. That's it. I don't want to play political games.”

Bill 96, passed in 2022 to strengthen the protection of the French language, established new basic rules for those entitled to receive public services in English at city hall or in Quebec society. Despite Premier François Legault's repeated assurances that the rights of English-speaking Quebecers would not be affected, particularly in health care and education, there were several unpleasant surprises.

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The son was forced to place his father's death certificate, issued in English by the Quebec government, with a French translation of the estate. The elderly woman was hung up on by the Régie de l'assurance maladie du Quebec, even thought she qualified for help in English because health insurance is not considered health care. Anglophone students who graduated from French public schools were denied certificates of eligibility by bureaucrats who claimed they had lost their right to an English-language education.

Government websites contain notices about who is allowed to view content or receive government services in English. Let us remind you that: Quebecers who previously received public services in English; people who have the right to education in English; Indigenous Peoples and Inuit; and new immigrants who have been here less than six months. Civil servants must rely on the “good will” of those seeking English services.

Refusing English-language presentations to parents of English learners appears to be in direct contradiction to the provisions of Bill 96, now rebranded as Bill 14. Everyone who participated in the forum would have proved their right to serve. in English when obtaining eligibility certificates for their children.

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Joe Ortona, chair of the English Montreal School Board and president of the Quebec Association of English School Boards, called the incident “revealing.”

“This is the exact opposite of what the government says it will legislate. They have assured us that the rights holders of the English speaking community will continue to receive services from the government in English,” he said. “It was the parents of English public school children – everyone understands that. People don't know or care that these people have a right to services in English. These are people whose constitutionally protected rights are being thrown away because this government has a complete disregard for constitutional rights.”

Whether civil servants don't know how to use Bill 96 or feel entitled to deny the rights of English speakers, Ortona called the incident “unfortunate.”

“Such a situation should never have been allowed. When they're sending people to serve the English-speaking community, it's their responsibility to make sure they know what the rules are and that they have to serve in English,” Ortona said. “This government owes us an apology – and not just for this. They owe us an apology for what they have done in the last five years.”

Speaking to reporters in Quebec City, French Language Minister Jean-Francois Roberge said his office is investigating whether Bill 96 was misinterpreted in this case.

“I've heard about this situation, but I don't have the details,” he said. “I have no comment at this time as I need to make further checks.”

Education Minister Bernard Drainville's office has yet to respond to the newspaper's inquiries.

But how can this be allowed? How does denying parents of special needs students in English schools basic information in English help protect the French language? If the government sees fit to do so under Bill 96, then the law is a farce.

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