Montreal, June 10, 2015 – The Quebec English School Boards Association (QESBA), English Parents’ Community Association (EPCA), the Quebec Community Groups Network (QCGN) and the Quebec Federation of Home and School Associations (QFHSA) launched an external panel today to examine and analyze various electoral systems.
The Honourable Marlene Jennings has accepted to chair this Panel and the membership will consist of five members of the English-speaking community including Mrs. Jennings. Former Assistant Deputy Minister from the Ministry of Education Leo La France, Rachel Hunting Executive Director of the Townshippers Association will represent QCGN, Brian Rock President of QFHSA will sit at their representative and Rhonda Boucher will represent EPCA. This Panel will have the mandate to identify options for selecting school Commissioners; seek out the views of English-speaking organizations and individuals on the various options; review past elections and make recommendations on how to improve the process and make recommendations for the partners to present to the government all while respecting constitutional rights.
“I am very pleased to have been asked to Chair this very important Panel on the governance of our school system,” said Marlene Jennings. “QESBA, QCGN, EPCA and QFHSA have agreed to co-sponsor this panel to complete a thorough community consultation. This panel will be at arms length from the four groups involved and will deposit a complete report by September,” concluded Mrs. Jennings
“QESBA, QCGN, EPCA and QFHSA are pleased to be launching our Election Systems Study Panel to examine all scenarios surrounding school board elections. The Minister has indicated that he will only discuss with us if we have suggestions, so we are going to work. We expect that once the report is completed we will be meeting with him to have an open dialogue,” said Stephen Burke QESBA acting president.
The Panel will be adding consultative members to ensure that the constitutional protections are being met.