The Quebec Provincial Association of Teachers Submits a Brief Calling for the Withdrawal of Bill 60, the Proposed Charter of Values

KIRKLAND, QC, Dec. 20, 2013 /CNW Telbec/ - The Quebec Provincial Association of Teachers (QPAT) has submitted a brief to the Quebec Government calling for the withdrawal of Bill 60.  QPAT has also requested participation in the parliamentary commission that will examine the bill. QPAT thinks the legislation is unnecessary and divides Quebeckers.

QPAT has reiterated its opposition to the proposed charter for various reasons.  The actual situation in English public schools does not require this legislation: these schools have been secular since the change from confessional to linguistic school boards and the replacement of religion programs by the Ethics and Religious Culture program.  On the other hand, this legislation could threaten some QPAT teachers with sanctions, a situation that QPAT will not accept and will fight against.  It also contradicts the values of tolerance and respect for others that teachers model every day.

On a broader level, QPAT thinks that the legislation is not actually about secularism but only about singling out certain individuals, which only serves to divide Quebec society.  The government should be focusing its efforts on matters that unite Quebeckers, such as investment in public education, economic development, the environment and fighting corruption, among others.

The Quebec Provincial Association of Teachers, founded in 1864, is the federation of teachers in the English public schools in Quebec.  It represents 8,000 members.

SOURCE: Quebec Provincial Association of Teachers

Comment:

Richard Goldfinch
President, QPAT
Cell: 514-770-1118

Information:

Jean-Paul Fossey
Executive Assistant, QPAT
Cell: 514-434-2168