QESBA Blasts CAQ Government’s $200 Million Education Cuts and Premier Legault’s Misleading Claims

Montreal, January 28, 2025 – The Quebec English School Boards Association (QESBA) is outraged by the CAQ government’s recent decision to slash $200 million from school boards and school service centres, a move that will directly harm students and public education, despite Premier François Legault`s false claim that this does not amount to cutting in education.

“Premier Legault’s assertion is insulting and dismissive of the damage his government is causing to public education,” said QESBA President Joe Ortona. School boards and service centres typically adopt their budgets in June to forecast expenditures for the fiscal year including government commitments to special projects and programs. “Budgets already promised and allocated are being clawed back, and the government expects us to believe this won’t harm students? It’s absurd and offensive.”

School boards and school service centres received directives, a week prior to the holidays, to cancel all construction projects and to cut in designated funding envelopes to recoup the amounts set by the government.

“This government’s pattern of mismanagement will directly impact the services and resources available to students,” continued Ortona. “Envelopes already promised and even spent must be cancelled or found elsewhere to cover the government’s shortfall and they expect that this will not impact students. School boards are the most decentralized governance institutions. The bulk of our budgets are designed for direct services to students, as it should be,” said QESBA President Joe Ortona.

“The Premier may claim otherwise, but these are cuts to education—plain and simple. Quebecers deserve leadership that values truth, integrity, and the future of its students,” added the President. “Quebec must stop dismissing education to a side-line issue. Education funding is not a cost—it’s a long-term investment with immeasurable returns for our communities,” concluded the President.

QESBA is the voice of English public education in Québec and represents 100,000 students in over 300 elementary, high schools, and adult and vocational centres across Québec.