A new coalition is counting on grass roots support to help fight the CAQ government's plan to abolish school boards.
The coalition, the Alliance for the Promotion of Public English-language Education in Quebec (APPELE-Quebec) is chaired by former Liberal MNA Geoff Kelley and one of the co-chairs is former senator and journalist Joan Fraser.
New coalition created to fight Legault government plan to abolish school boards. APPELE-Quebec is the Alliance for the Promtion of Public English-language Education in Quebec. Chair is ex-Liberal MNA @MNAgeoffkelley. Groups include @qesba, @QCGN, @FCSQ, @cdnsba. #CJAD800 #polqc pic.twitter.com/uXFB5iGiAl
— Shuyee Lee (@sleeCJAD) April 25, 2019
Groups involved include the Quebec English School Boards Association, Quebec Community Groups Network, and the Quebec Federation of Home and School Associations. They're supported by other organizations such as the Fédération des commissions scolaires du Québec, the Townshipper's Association and the Fédération nationale des conseils scolaires francophones.
New coalition created to fight Legault gov’nt plan to abolish school boards. APPELE-Quebec: Alliance for the Promotion of Public English-language Education in Quebec. Chair is ex-Liberal MNA @MNAgeoffkelley. Groups include @qesba, @QCGN, @FCSQ, @cdnsba #CJAD800 #polqc pic.twitter.com/7SwTqaoXSg
— Shuyee Lee (@sleeCJAD) April 25, 2019
The coalition says they're concerned about "any attempt to weaken the Constitutional right to control and manage our educational institutions."
The groups want public consultations on the issue and that a legal challenge is possible.
Aware of the historically low turnout for school board elections, the coalition says that they plan on spreading more awareness about the important role school boards play in supporting the community. They also say the government should discuss with them proposals to boost school board election participation.
Former Liberal MNA @MNAgeoffkelley says the issue was important enough to come out of (seven month old) retirement and become chair of APPELE-Quebec, coalition to save school boards from being dismantled by Legault government. #CJAD800 #polqc pic.twitter.com/nbZYgHjia5
— Shuyee Lee (@sleeCJAD) April 25, 2019
Former Liberal MNA @MNAgeoffkelley now chair of APPELE-Quebec, coalition to save school boards from disappearing. Alliance for the Promotion of Public English-language Education in Quebec says they’ll rally English-speaking community to the cause. #CJAD800 #polqc pic.twitter.com/4BFfu80JC2
— Shuyee Lee (@sleeCJAD) April 25, 2019
New coalition created to fight Legault gov’nt plan to abolish school boards. APPELE-Quebec: Alliance for the Promotion of Public English-language Education in Quebec. Chair is ex-Liberal MNA @MNAgeoffkelley. Groups include @qesba, @QCGN, @FCSQ, @cdnsba #CJAD800 #polqc pic.twitter.com/7SwTqaoXSg
— Shuyee Lee (@sleeCJAD) April 25, 2019