Regina, May 3rd, 2012 – Roger J.F. Lepage, legal counsel for the Conseil des
écoles fransaskoises. (CEF), announced the school board has once again filed a
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News Release For immediate release
French School Board Sues Provincial Government over Funding Impasse Regina, May 3rd, 2012 – Roger J.F. Lepage, legal counsel for the Conseil des écoles fransaskoises (CEF), announced the school board has once again filed a Notice of Motion against the provincial Ministry of Education for its failure to provide adequate funding to Saskatchewan’s francophone students. “The school board is constitutionally obligated to provide students access to education that is equivalent to what is offered in the separate and public school systems. The recent provincial budget is not providing the Francophone school board with the funds it requires to meet its obligations. This year’s provincial budget reduced funding to $24 million, a $2 million cut from 2011,” said Lepage. In the court action, the CEF is requesting approximately $3.7 million in interim funding to cover education costs for the remainder of the 2011-12 school year, the required upgrade of the Lloydminster school, an emergency contingency fund and planned budget needs for the 2012-13 school year. Lepage noted that the cuts and the underfunding for the 2012-13 school year run contrary to a court ruling rendered in May 2011. At that time, the Court of Queen’s Bench ordered the provincial government to provide $2.8 million in interim funding until a negotiated settlement could be reached in the ongoing dispute over the Conseil's overall funding. The Court’s ruling also stated that, if the parties failed to reach a negotiated settlement regarding interim funding either party was free to return to the court to further address the financial need of the school board. Yvan LeBel, president of the Francophone school board noted that, since last year, the French school system’s financial obligations have increased, rather than decreased. Enrolment has increased approximately four per cent per year and in 2011-12, there was an eight percent increase in enrolment. Most of the increase has been in Lloydminster where a new school needs to be funded. According to LeBel: “This move by the government is hurting our children, plain and simple and is putting us in a position of having to cut education services unless the court intervenes.” In the meantime, LeBel noted that mediation over a new funding formula has dragged on with no further date set to resume talks. The CEF is the school board for the province’s francophone schools. It is a recognized school division under the provincial Education Act. As well, Section 23 of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms guarantees education in French equivalent to what is available in English language schools.
Adresse postale: Siège social • Case postale 602 • Regina (Saskatchewan) • S4P 3A3 • 1 877 273-6661 Adresse physique: 2440, rue Broad • Regina (Saskatchewan)
Despite these legal guarantees, the CEF has continually struggled to secure adequate funding from the provincial government. In its notice of motion the CEF is seeking increase its operational funding, funding for a bigger Lloydminster school and the promised funding formula to meet the unique needs of the Francophone school board. As the only Francophone school division in the province, the CÉF administers 15 schools across the province, including a boarding school. Services in most schools range from pre-kindergarten to Grade 12, and students benefit from a high quality education. -30-
For additional information:
Christelle Mekoh Communications Coordinator Conseil des écoles fransaskoises 1-877-273-6661 or 1 (306) 751-8655
[email protected]
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