(Saint-Hyacinthe) Funding for private schools divides Parti Québécois activists. Following a close vote, the PQ refused to commit to setting a timetable for gradually eliminating subsidies to private institutions.
Parti Québécois activists, meeting this weekend in the National Council in Saint-Hyacinthe, debated at length on Sunday the financing of private schools. Furthermore, the proposals were first discussed between members in closed-door workshops on Saturday. A version of all the amended proposals was provided to journalists this morning.
Already, the members had decided to return to the traditional position of the political party, that is to say to gradually withdraw all subsidies from private schools which refuse to return to the fold of the public. The initial version planned to do it “below 50%”. A proposal that chef Paul St-Pierre Plamondon described on Saturday as “fair”, affirming that the private school in its place.
However, in the amended document, the activists agreed to go further by setting a timetable for abolishing public funding of private schools. We proposed a period of 5 years at secondary level and 6 years at primary level. This proposal which was hotly debated on Sunday.
“If we have national councils, it’s not just to make apple pie […] At some point, you have to make commitments,” said Jocelyn Desjardins, pleading to establish a timetable.
The deputy and spokesperson for Education, Pascal Bérubé, chose to intervene to invite the members to defeat the proposal: “The direction is very clear towards public schools, what we are asking of you, it “is the latitude necessary to be serious, coherent,” he said, explaining that the proposed timetable is too restrictive. The text was finally defeated after a close vote.
Moreover, the PQ leader announced on Sunday the creation, immediately, of a committee of wise people whose mandate will be to prepare his training to start a “Parent 2.0 commission”, which is a commitment of the Parti Québécois.
Education is the central theme of the National Council. Members will have to vote this Sunday on a series of proposals, notably to put an end to the “three-speed school”. Former Prime Minister Pauline Marois delivered a vibrant plea on Saturday in favor of public schools, criticizing subsidized private schools and special-purpose public schools, which select students.
“These schools segregate based on income and social affiliation,” she lamented.
Some proposals adopted
- The Parti Québécois is committed to holding a public consultation based on the Parent Commission model in order to define a common vision for the education system.
- The Parti Québécois is committed to stopping all public funding of private religious schools.
- The Parti Québécois is committed to offering the opportunity to all currently subsidized private schools to become approved schools fully funded by the State.
- The Parti Québécois is committed to ensuring that all state-funded schools offer a choice of specific projects to all students.
On Sunday, activists also begin preparation of the first chapter of the “blue book” on independence by addressing the theme of the “Canadian regime”. These discussions are also held behind closed doors. After the tabling of the year one budget for a sovereign Quebec, the Parti Québécois must present in 2024 its response to the Initiative of the Century, which promotes sustained growth in immigration to Canada.
The “blue book” which must define what should constitute “Quebec citizenship” in 2026.