Parents had right to receive presentation in English after all: Quebec Education Ministry
English-speaking parents of children with learning difficulties who were denied an English information session last week were entitled to have the presentation in a language other than French, Quebec's Education Ministry says.
The clarification comes after parents and the interim leader of the Quebec Liberal Party decried the additional barrier to seeking information about educational programs for children.
The online meeting on April 11 was specifically for a group of parents whose children are attending English-language schools. During the meeting, two public servants said the ministry told them they weren't allowed to present in English under Quebec's new language law, Bill 96. However, the slides of the presentation were written in English.
Sara Hossaini, whose son is autistic, was one of the parents in attendance. She said in an interview that being refused an English presentation was "discriminatory" and made her feel excluded.
Thursday, a spokesperson for the Education Ministry said in an email to CBC News that in exceptional situations, the Charter of the French Language allows government officials to communicate in a language other than French — Quebec's official language.
Calling the incident "a mistake," Education Minister Bernard Drainville told reporters Thursday that presentation should have been delivered in English.
"The rules were misunderstood," he said.
Quebec Education Minister Bernard Drainville said the information session should have been held in English. (Sylvain Roy Roussel/Radio-Canada)
Asked whether the ministry would offer the parents the information session again in English, Drainville said doing so would be a "good idea."
"We will ask the people who made the presentation to prepare a presentation in English and to offer it to the parents who want it and who need it," he said.
Liberal MNA André Fortin said Thursday ensuring that government employees understand the law is the "very basis" of government responsibility.
"The government of Quebec has introduced legislation that its own government officials do not fully understand," he said, questioning how Quebec could expect civilians to understand the law.
Fortin said he hopes the government will learn from this case because "there are real repercussions to parents who did not deserve to go to a meeting that they did not understand a single word of."
