Quebec Education Minister lifts hiring cap imposed on school service centres

Sonia LeBel is putting her words into action and lifting the hiring cap that was imposed on school service centres (CSSs) by her predecessor Bernard Drainville.

“We listened to the CSS and our partners,” said the Minister of Education on Wednesday, adding that she would “adjust the budget rule (…) so that it does not hinder the use of the funds reinvested last summer.”

It should be noted that Drainville had announced $570 million in cuts to the network before backtracking and reinvesting $540 million, while imposing a staffing cap.

In other words, CSSs that had laid off employees as a result of the cuts were not allowed to rehire them, according to opposition parties in Quebec City, who were concerned about services to students.

In early October, LeBel told reporters she was considering reversing her predecessor’s decision — which she officially did on Wednesday.

She confirmed she would lift the hiring cap to give the CSSs all the “necessary latitude.” However, they will have to keep in mind a hiring “target” to ensure “rigorous monitoring” of expenses.

During question period, LeBel pointed out that salaries account for 80 per cent of education spending.

In September, students and school staff experienced “the worst start to the school year in 15 years” due to the government’s procrastination, denounced Liberal education critic Madwa-Nika Cadet.

And the consequences are still being felt on the ground, she said.

“The network is running out of steam, substitute teachers are left without assignments, social work technicians have left for other jobs, and students with special needs are still waiting for their services,” she said.

“Parents write to us every week, concerned about interrupted follow-ups and canceled activities. In many schools, we have to revise schedules, postpone interventions, and improvise to maintain basic services,” she added.

For his part, Québec solidaire education critic Gabriel Nadeau-Dubois told the minister that school principals had confided in him they found the situation less dire under the Liberals.

“They tell me: (…) at least under the Liberals, it was clear. We knew how much they were cutting, when they were cutting and how they were cutting. With the Coalition Avenir Québec, there are cuts — but with a little extra improvisation,” he said.

–This report by La Presse Canadienne was translated by CityNews