A message to parents and community
This is about graduation, opportunity, skilled workers, regional access, and Québec’s future.
Dear Parents and Community Members,
Québec is facing serious workforce shortages. At the same time, the government is proposing new legislation that would restrict access to adult education and vocational training in the English public school system by extending the application of Bill 101 to adult learners.
This Is About More Than Language, It’s About Access
Minister Roberge would like for everyone to believe that it is another way to preserve the French language. It is a political agenda that restrict adult learner’s access to English education, training, and support they need to graduate, gain skills, and contribute to Québec.
These Pathways Help People Build a Future
English adult education and vocational training centres serves all Quebecers: English-eligible students, francophones, allophones, newcomers, and adults from many different backgrounds. They are not a loophole; they are well-established public education pathways that help people succeed and prepare to enter the Québec workforce.
They help adults:
- complete high school;
- obtain prerequisites for vocational training or CEGEP;
- retrain for new careers;
- enter the workforce with recognized qualifications;
- support their families and communities.
Restricting Access Will Not Help Students Succeed
Restricting access would not simply result in students transferring to French school service centres. Many adult learners would face significant barriers to continuing their education.
Depending on the program, 75% of currently enrolled students on our territory may no longer qualify for access to English centres under the proposed restrictions
- Many would face:
- long travel distances;
- fewer available programs;
- longer waiting lists;
- language-readiness barriers;
- loss of support services available in the English network;
- the decision to abandon their studies altogether.
The Impact Will Be Felt Across Québec
Québec would see fewer graduates, fewer skilled workers, and fewer trained employees in essential sectors already facing labour shortages, including health care, construction, childcare, administration, mechanics, welding, hospitality, and other priority fields.
There would be reduced enrolment caused by these restrictions forcing English school boards to reduce program offerings, eliminate specialized training opportunities, and potentially close centres on our territory, further limiting access to education and workforce training across Québec.
We Support French, But Closing Doors Is Not the Answer
English school boards have long championed French-language learning. Many vocational centres already provide workplace French, bilingual materials, French-language support, and internships in French-speaking settings.
The solution is not to close successful pathways. The solution is to strengthen French-language support while protecting access to programs that help Quebecers graduate, gain skills, and contribute to the province’s economy.
Your Voice Matters Now
Please contact your local MNA, mayor, community leaders, business representatives, and decision-makers.
Urge them to intervene now to protect access to adult education and vocational training in the English public system, before legislation is introduced, and to reject this divisive political approach.
Once these pathways are closed, they will not reopen.
The consequences will affect future students, families, and communities across Québec.
Respectfully,
Riverside School Board