One of François Legault's campaign promises was to abolish the province's school boards, but if he wants to move ahead with it he will certainly have a fight on his hands.
For Legault it was simple, he said the boards are plagued with governance problems and elections have incredibly low participation rates. He said boards would be replaced with what he called "regional service centres."
The new Premier said he's even willing to invoke the notwithstanding clause to make sure he keeps his promise.
Russell Copeman, head of Quebec English School Boards Association (QESBA) said Legault needs to rein it in a little.
"Section 23 of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, which is the section of the Charter that guarantees the English-speaking community the right to control and manage its educational institutions, is not subject to the notwithstanding clause. You cannot override Section 23 rights in the Canadian Charter with the use of the notwithstanding clause," Copeman told CTV Montreal.
"So that's just not on. It's not a question of wanting to use it or not wanting to use it. It cannot be used to override Section 23 rights under the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms."
Before the new CAQ government makes any decision about the future of school boards, the associations representing the French and English boards are hoping to sit down and discuss ways of healing the wounded system, rather than killing it off.
"There hasn't been a meeting yet," Copeman said. "The Fédération des commissions scolaires du Québec and the QESBA have put in a request for a joint meeting, the first meeting with the Minister [of Education] for the two organizations."