Teachers protest against bill that would overhaul Quebec education system
Teachers' groups held a protest outside the National Assembly this morning to voice their opposition against the Quebec government's new education bill.
One of the groups, Fédération autonome de l’enseignement (FAE), says Bill 23 is disconnected from people actually working in the field. They say the proposed legislation is an attack on the autonomy of teachers and that it doesn't actually address some of the major issues plaguing public schools for the last two decades.
They want the proposed legislation withdrawn.
Tabled in early May, the bill would give more power to the education minister. If passed, he would be able to appoint directors general of school boards and school service centres and override their decisions.
On Thursday, Education Minister Bernard Drainville suggested he might be open to allowing people with only a high school education to become teachers, saying it's not the first choice but is better than no teacher at all.
In the meantime, the opposition's motion to require teachers to hold at least a bachelor's degree was defeated Friday in the national assembly.
"I was actually very shocked yesterday when I heard Mr. Drainville saying, 'Well, it's better than nothing to have someone with a high school diploma in school teaching the kids,'" said the Quebec Liberal Party's education critic, Marwah Rizqy.
"So this summer, we're going to have the graduation in June and then you're telling me that it's ok that the same student that graduated can be in school in fall. "
Hearings on Bill 23 started Thursday and continue next week. The Quebec English School Boards Association, the only group representing English-speaking Quebecers, is scheduled to comment on the bill when the hearings on Bill 23 continue next week.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
NDP motion regarding Palestinian statehood passes after major Liberal alterations
A motion from the federal New Democrats initially calling on Canada to recognize the 'State of Palestine' passed amid widespread acrimony on Monday, after the Liberals drastically altered its wording to see the government simply work towards that aim as part of a two-state solution.
'He didn't want to die': Family of Calgary man killed in standoff speaks out
Family of a Calgary man killed after a 30-hour standoff with police last week are speaking out, sharing details of the tense and heart-wrenching experience.
Toronto family doctor who called patient's body 'perfect' suspended for 3 months: tribunal
A family doctor in Toronto has been suspended for three months after a disciplinary tribunal found that he failed to follow proper protocols while examining a patient's breasts and made inappropriate comments about her body.
Ohio mom who left toddler alone 10 days when she went on vacation pleads guilty to aggravated murder
An Ohio mother whose 16-month-old daughter died after being left home alone in a playpen for 10 days last summer while she went on vacation was sentenced Monday to life in prison with no chance of parole.
Retired teacher pleads guilty to paying for sex with 15-year-old in Collingwood, Ont.
In a Barrie courtroom on Monday, a retired high school teacher from the Niagara Region pleaded guilty to sexual touching and obtaining sexual services from a 15-year-old boy in Collingwood in 2021.
Hertz CEO out following electric car 'horror show'
The company, which announced in January it was selling 20,000 of the electric vehicles in its fleet, or about a third of the EVs it owned, is now replacing the CEO who helped build up that fleet, giving it the company’s fifth boss in just four years.
5 charged in Calgary kidnappings that targeted women
Calgary police have charged five men in a pair of kidnappings last year that targeted innocent victims.
Demand soars for solar eclipse glasses in Canada. Are they worth buying?
The demand for total solar eclipse glasses used to safely view the rare celestial event has been ramping up as sellers, along with astronomy and eye-care experts in Canada, warn that viewing the eclipse with the naked eye is dangerous.
Canadian commander of volunteer fighter group dies in Ukraine
A Canadian-born commander of the so-called Norman Brigade, a volunteer fighting group in Ukraine, has died.