EMSB reacts to compelling new survey on Bill 21

-

Montreal, August 10, 2022- A survey conducted by the Association for Canadian Studies, working with polling firm Leger, shows that three years after Bill 21, An Act Respecting the Laicity of the State, was adopted, religious minorities in the province are feeling increasingly alienated and hopeless. 

 “This is highly regrettable, yet not surprising,” commented EMSB Chair Joe Ortona.

Chair Ortona with Hanifya Scott, who retired in June as a teacher at Carlyle. She was only permitted to wear her hijab because of a grandfather clause in Bill 21.

In April of 2021, the Quebec Superior Court struck down key provisions of Bill 21. This decision applied to all English school boards based on Section 23 of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms.  The provincial government appealed the ruling, so it therefore remains in place.

Justice Marc-André Blanchard  stated that the law violates the basic rights of religious minorities in the province. "[Bill 21] brings about serious and negative consequences for all people who display religious symbols in public," he wrote.

The  EMSB joined the National Council of Canadian Muslims, the Canadian Civil Liberties Association, individual teachers who wear religious symbols and the Fédération autonome de l’enseignement, a teachers’ union in challenging the validity of Bill 21 in Quebec Superior Court.  Bill 21  bars public-school teachers, government lawyers, judges and police officers from wearing religious symbols while at work. 

The EMSB has seen the negative impact of  Bill 21 on its staff and on the culture in its schools and centres. This law is forcing individuals to choose between government employment and a desire to wear religious apparel. “We have had to refuse employment to some qualified candidates and promotions for others,” said Mr. Ortona. “And of course, many have simply not applied.  Most importantly it sends a message of intolerance and exclusion to our students and their families. We hope that this court decision ends the discussion once and for all for it has already caused significant damage to the careers of many individuals.”

About the English Montreal School Board

With a youth and adult sector population of more than 37,000 students, the English Montreal School Board (EMSB) is the largest English public school board in Quebec. Established on July 1, 1998, when the province created new boards along linguistic lines. Our network consists of 77 schools and centres. For more details, visit the EMSB website at www.emsb.qc.ca.

-30-

Michael J. Cohen
Communications and Marketing Specialist
English Montreal School Board
Tel: (514) 483-7200 ext. 7243
Fax: (514) 483-7213
E-mail: mcohen@emsb.qc.ca

Popular posts from this blog

EMSB recognizes employees for 25 years of service

-
Image
For the first time in four years, because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the  English Montreal School Board resumed its traditional Long Service reception to honour  employees with 25 years of service at Le Crystal in St. Laurent.   A total of 136 employees, ranging from teachers, administrators and support staff, were recognized for a quarter century of service.  This year EMSB Director General Nicholas Katalifos, honored those employees with a letter of congratulations and Monarch watches.  “For the past 25 years, your dedication to education, your diligence and your contributions to the English Montreal School Board has benefited many students and staff, " he said. You can see our photo album here . This year's  honourees were: Angela Spagnolo (fourth from the right) with commissioners and EMSB officials. From the central head office : Angela Spagnolo and Rick David from AEVS; Markela Zyglakis from the Office of the Director General; Annik Malenfant from Educational Services; Ca
Read more

EMSB Chair takes aim at Language Minister’s talking out of both sides of his mouth about English public schools

-
Image
Montreal, May 14, 2024 – The English Montreal School Board takes strong exception to comments made by Minister of the French Language, Jean-François Roberge, which unjustifiably take aim at English school boards. Mr. Roberge’s comments last week are particularly stunning since, when he was Minister of Education in the previous CAQ mandate, his administration issued a directive for the EMSB to reduce the number of hours devoted to French instruction in  immersion program schools. “Whether Mr. Roberge is ignorant of the facts, or disingenuous, such statements are unbecoming and undignified of an elected official, much less a minister,” said EMSB Chair Joe Ortona. “Has his position   changed? Was he not even aware  of what letter he signed?”  Mr. Roberge claimed that CEGEPs are struggling to apply Bill 96, Quebec’s language law. He went on to say that English school boards need to work harder to improve the quality of French of their elementary and high school graduates before they move u
Read more

EMSB very pleased with partial stay on Bill 96

-
Image
Montréal, April  18,  2024 - The English Montreal School Board (EMSB) is very pleased with a Québec Superior Court decision that provides a partial stay of provisions of Bill 96 and the Charter of the French Language. This ruling also benefits other English language boards and the Quebec English School Boards Association. EMSB Chair Joe Ortona notes that the  Superior Court stayed parts of the law that would require English school boards to communicate exclusively in French when writing with key institutions of the English-speaking community, such as the Quebec English School Boards Association or the English Parents’ Committee Association of Quebec.  The EMSB had challenged the application of amendments to the Charter of the French Language adopted in 2002 that the government only brought into force in June 2023, without any consultation of the English-language community. “This is a significant win, of which the EMSB should be proud,” said Mr. Ortona. “While we offer rich programming
Read more