Montreal, March 26, 2025 – The Quebec English School Boards Association (QESBA) acknowledges the Quebec government’s 2025-2026 budget, which includes a 2.2% overall increase in education funding.
While this investment is a small step forward, QESBA remains concerned about rising system costs and our ability to maintain existing programs, essential services, and initiatives. Additionally, the unforeseen budget restrictions and adjustments imposed during the 2024-2025 school year significantly disrupted school board stability, student services, and infrastructure projects—including the construction of three approved new schools in our network.
“We are concerned that the allocated infrastructure funding does not adequately address the urgent need for building maintenance and new school construction, particularly in overpopulated areas,” said QESBA President Joe Ortona.
“Furthermore, the continuation of the hiring freeze announced in November 2024, into 2025-2026 and beyond remains a major concern. Treasury Board President Sonia LeBel confirmed that the freeze will continue, which will have serious implications for school boards,” Ortona added.
However, QESBA welcomes the government’s financial commitment to addressing the labor shortage in education, particularly in teacher qualification and the recruitment of all categories of school personnel. These measures are essential to meeting the needs of our students and ensuring their academic success.
QESBA urges the government to increase investments in school infrastructure, educational initiatives, and long-term stability measures to safeguard the quality of education and provide adequate resources for students and educators across the province.
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.
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