Mean-spirited measures

The Quebec government has introduced amendments to its language law, Bill 101, to "close certain loopholes" that have allowed some children access to English schooling. The Lester B. Pearson School Board finds these amendments - Bill 104 - to be mean-spirited and not in the best interest of children or their families.

For starters, these provisions are not loopholes. They are legitimate clauses within Bill 101 and the Canadian Charter of Rights and have been confirmed legal by the Supreme Court of Canada.

The law now allows access to English schools for students who have had the majority of their education in English in an unsubsidized private school. Bill 104 would eliminate this provision. This goes against the government's financial and pedagogical support of Quebec's private-schools network. There are no restrictions - other than financial - on parents seeking private-school access for their children. In fact, many members of the National Assembly, including cabinet ministers, choose private education for their children.

The number of children who attain access to English schools through this avenue is very small and virtually meaningless in the ratio of students in the French and English systems.

Bill 104 targets a very small group of students and their families. It is not the role of government to adopt laws that negatively target small groups or individuals. Governments should adopt laws and policies that enhance and improve the quality of life for all citizens.The argument that the amendment prevents people from getting through the back door what is not available through the front, doesn't wash as long as the government continues to support private schools. By their nature, private schools are only accessible to those with enough money.

The second and even more mean-spirited proposal deals with siblings of "special-needs students." Bill 101 now allows a child who is two years behind his classmates to switch to English schooling if it would help. In the best interests of the family, the child's siblings are also allowed to attend the same school.

Bill 104 would prohibit the extension of English-school rights to the siblings of these students. When a student has special needs, the support of the family is crucial in helping him or her succeed. It is not easy to bring up children under any circumstances, but it is especially hard when there are psychological or physiological problems. The government's proposal would exacerbate this burden. Under this proposed amendment, families with children with special needs would have to split their children into two different school systems with different policies and practices, different calendars, different schedules and different languages of communication. These families need society's support, not additional burdens.

There will be limited, invitation-only hearings on this bill. It appears that many of the groups invited have a political agenda and do not represent the best interests of children or families.

The Quebec English School Boards Association unanimously denounced Bill 104 in a resolution at its annual general meeting in Quebec City on Saturday. It should be noted that this is not about English school boards worrying about numbers. As I noted, the numbers are insignificant. This is about what is good for children, respecting the Charter of Rights and respecting families and their choices.

We should never fight political battles at the expense of children. It is even more reprehensible that political battles would be fought at the expense of children with difficulties. The government is setting on a course that will inevitably lead to court cases and associated costs - costs that will be born by the taxpayers and the school system. How can that be shown as bettering Quebec society? Bill 104 must be withdrawn immediately.