The Quebec government has received backlash from the English-speaking community following its announcement last week naming Marie-Josée Blais as the new assistant deputy minister for the anglophone education network and intercultural and Indigenous relations.
The Quebec cabinet’s decision to appoint Blais, which was done without consulting the Quebec English School Boards Association (QESBA), led to a harsh reaction from the association that has labelled itself the “voice of English public education in Quebec.”
In a press release, QESBA President Dan Lamoureux deplored the way the government handled the appointment, sharing that normally the association is involved in the selection process for the assistant deputy minister position, but this time it was done unilaterally.
“Once again, this government has demonstrated no regard for our system or our community. There is a made in English Quebec sensibility that you can only understand by being a part of the community or having worked in our system,” Lamoureux said.
QESBA also questioned the appointees qualifications for the position, pointing out that Blais has “never worked in the primary, secondary, adult technical and vocational system at all in her career.” However, she does have experience working on economy, science and innovation.
Concerns raised over lack of consultation for newly appointed assistant deputy minister
By Michael Boriero - Local Journalism Initiative
