Education Minister pledges millions for new Quebec schools

QUEBEC CITY – With school boards across the province projecting massive cuts this year, there is one place the government is spending. Nearly $247 million is being pumped into new school buildings and renovations for old ones this year.

Education Minister Yves Bolduc won’t say until Tuesday exactly which schools are getting the cash, but the bulk of the money is coming to schools in the Montreal area.

Bolduc told reporters at a press conference twelve new schools will be built and at least 20 others expanded.

Montreal: 15
Laurentians/Lanaudière: 7
Montérégie: 5
Laval: 2
Quebec City: 2
Outaouais: 2
Saguenay: 1

“Most of the money is going to Montreal because they need more because their schools are older and they have more problems,” said Bolduc.

But while new schools are being built, services to students are being cut. The Des Samarres school board in Lanaudière is the latest to announce cuts, this time to their breakfast and lunch programs. Last week, school boards across the province, including English school boards, resolved to cut either book purchases, educational activities or homework services.

“Homework support used to be accessible to all students, said Murielle Gingras, Commission scolaire de la Capitale Chair, “now it’ll probably be offered to special needs students only.”

Frustrated, the Education Minister asked that boards find other places to cut.

“It’s very important that they collaborate and we must protect the services to the students,” said Bolduc. “I’m the minister. I want that. I think it’s very important to tell it.”

Québec Solidaire blamed Bolduc for the mess.

“It’s hypocritical,” Amir Khadir said. “The minister is asking them to cut and in front of you journalists says ‘oh I told them don’t cut in services’. It’s not true.”

Bolduc also confirmed Monday Quebec universities will have to cut millions out of their budget this year.

The National Assembly resumes sitting Tuesday, September 16th.