Sports teams at the college and university levels will be able to resume training as of January 31, but students who engage in extracurricular artistic activities may still have to wait. A double weight, two measures that bothers.
“Again, the culture is under the sport. The Prime Minister often says he loves culture. But saying it is one thing, doing it is another, ”denounces Maxime Burgoyne-Chartrand, the director general of the Intercollegiate Network of Sociocultural Activities of Quebec (RIASQ).
The RIASQ asked Quebec for clarification on Thursday, so much does it consider that this decision is pointless. Maxime Burgoyne-Chartrand reports that he was promised a return “within 48 hours”.
If nothing moves, college and university basketball or football teams will be able to start practicing again from Monday. But not students who are part of their CEGEP theater troupe or improvisation league.
Indeed, the government directive concerning Monday’s relief only mentions “training platforms” for “student athletes”. Students who train at the gym without being part of a team will not be entitled to this privilege for themselves.
Asked by The duty, the Ministry of Health has confirmed that no date has yet been advanced for the resumption of extracurricular activities of an artistic nature in higher education institutions.
“It was agreed to start with smaller relaxations,” the ministry defended by email.
Please note that theater or dance classes given in a school setting still take place. However, it is not permitted until further notice to practice these extracurricular activities for CEGEP and university students.
As for elementary and secondary students, their extracurricular activities, whether sports or artistic, got the green light this week to resume.
“19-year-olds are in as much distress as 17-year-olds. Everyone needs to get back to their activities to socialize. It’s catastrophic what we are seeing at the moment, ”claims Maxime Burgoyne-Chartrand.
– With Catherine Lalonde