Student Voices: EMSAC adopts resolution strongly opposing use of Bill 101 for adult and vocational sector

 Members of the English Montreal Student Advisory Committee ( EMSAC)    met on Monday, June 8 for an emergency meeting to discuss potentially restricting access to the English Adult Education sector. Students began by watching news reports to better understand the issue and following a lengthy discussion and drafting key points, the students unanimously adopted the following motion. 

Here is EMSAC resolution,  opposing the government proposal to limit access to Adult Learners in the Anglophone Sector  

Whereas we have seen that recent changes to CEGEP admission rules create new barriers for immigrant, anglophone, and allophone students; 

Whereas at the high school level, these rules push many students to look for Grade 12 programs in the private system or outside Quebec just to avoid what they believe are unfair restrictions; 

Whereas these barriers reduce students’ chances of accessing post secondary education and limit their ability to choose programs that match their goals, strengths and individual learning needs; 

Whereas the changes disproportionately affect francophone and allophone students, reducing opportunities and contributing to labour shortages in the workforce and at large in Quebec, especially in certified trades where Quebec already faces major gaps; 

Whereas there is a staffing shortage that already exists in the educational sector; 

Whereas these rules may prevent students from pursuing pathways that are better adapted to their needs after Secondary V; 

Whereas the adult education sector has an important partnership with the youth sector in the English sector, that allows them to remain open serving an important role in their communities; 

Whereas a 40-70% decline in adult education sector enrolment may result in the English Community losing access to vital institutions that qualify and instruct its members; 

Whereas adults should have the freedom to choose their language of instruction without facing limits on expression or choice of where they can study; 

Be it resolved that the English Montreal Student Advisory Committee: 

● Calls on the government to insure equal access to all post secondary pathways, including trades, pre university programs, and adult education and not restrict access based on language eligibility. 

● Affirms that students should not be forced into private or out of province schooling to receive education in a language instruction of their choice. 

● Urges the province to address labour shortages by supporting, not limiting students who want to study in English or pursue certified trades. 

● Requests that any changes to the education system include proper staffing, resources, and planning, especially in the French sector, before shifting large numbers of students. 

● Demands that student voices, especially those from immigrant and multilingual communities, be included in all future policy decisions affecting access to education. 

● Recommends enhancing resources to educate students in French Language instruction within the anglophone sector. Potential to have a more positive approach on the application of Bill 101 to vocational education. 

● Recommends approaching this implementation with a positive perspective to encourage the Anglophones who want to voluntarily integrate into the French sector rather than use forceful measures.