Living democratically, Mr Prime Minister, means having the privilege of participating as a citizen in political decisions. In this process, your duty is to listen to each Quebecer and make decisions for the common good.
Today I ask myself: what is your definition of the common good?
Whether or not we agree with the indefinite general strike that is currently looming, many of us form a silent force that rallies behind teachers and support professionals. This is the main topic of all discussions. Let us ignore the negative comments of those who proclaim the “taking of children and parents hostage” and the criticisms of the salary agreement to be negotiated. The fact remains that we are incredulous to see that the main subject of the negotiations, namely the improvement of working conditions, is not taken into greater consideration.
I remind you that obtaining quality education is the number 4 sustainable development goal of the United Nations and that, to achieve this goal, the UN stipulates that financing education must become a national priority investment. As parents, we assure you, the requests from teachers and support staff are in response to the problems we have all seen for several years. Problems which have long been denounced by the network itself. We are silent, but we start to speak louder.
The education system is in terminal phase.
There is a remedy called ‘resources’, but it does not appear to be covered by the current government scheme, which is trying to give a placebo called ‘PL23’ to last until Christmas.
It is not normal that, as an employer, you do not review assignment sessions so that all school positions are filled a few weeks before the start of the school year. Four weeks of school passed before my 2-year-old daughtere secondary school have a French teacher. It is not normal for non-professionally qualified people to be in front of a class permanently without being supported by support from the ministry. An adult may be there, but you leave the burden of support to the already overwhelmed teachers, and they do it for the well-being of our children.
It is not normal that young people in difficulty do not receive the help necessary for their success due to lack of resources. However, these resources are ready to come and lend a helping hand. It is not normal for young people who do well to lose their motivation because the school system becomes disillusioned. And, you should know, it is not normal to be faced with unlimited general strikes when all these situations have been denounced for several years.
This is not the Quebec I want to live in, the one where education is an expense instead of an investment.
Today, I wonder what “being more attentive to Quebecers” meant to you?
We no longer know how to make our opinions and our real desires for this nation heard. When communication breaks down, whose burden is it to resolve the situation?
Karl Tremblay, a great warrior whose departure I have been mourning since Wednesday, sang “Ti-Cul didn’t go to his morning classes because somewhere he knows it’s of no use to him”. But today, his “mom” wants Ti-Cul to have access to an education system that will make him dream for the future.
Mr. Legault, I consider that you have a leadership role to play in this matter in order to restore a healthy and enriching school environment for our children. What will you do to regain our trust?