Dear parents,

As the new school year begins, I want to take a moment to welcome you back and to thank you for the trust, energy, and commitment you bring to your children’s education. A new school year is always a chance for fresh starts, renewed connections, and stronger collaboration between families, schools, and communities.

This year, there are important changes and challenges ahead of us, each one an opportunity to reflect, adapt, and work together for the benefit of our students.

Cell Phone Ban
The provincial government’s recent announcement on cell phone restrictions has generated headlines, but let us be clear: cell phones were already not allowed in classrooms. What students truly need is not more punitive measures, but meaningful education around technology. Children must be taught how to be good digital citizens, how to spot fake news, understand the addictive design of digital devices, and how to develop responsible online habits. Simply banning devices does not prepare our children for the digital world they live in; teaching them to navigate it wisely does. EPCA continues to call for training for both parents and students so that technology becomes a tool for learning and growth, rather than a source of contention.

Annual General Assembly
This fall also brings the Annual General Assembly at each school, where parents have the opportunity to step into leadership roles on Governing Boards and Parents’ Committees. These assemblies are a cornerstone of parent voice in education. Your presence and participation ensure that our schools remain responsive to the needs of the community they serve and that parent perspectives help guide decision-making. I encourage every parent to take part, whether by attending, voting, or volunteering. Your involvement truly makes a difference.

Education Budget Cuts
At the same time, we cannot ignore the reality of provincial budget reductions in education. These cuts will have an impact across our school system. As the English Parents’ Committee Association, we are standing firm in our advocacy: every child deserves equitable access to quality education, and parents’ voices must be heard in protecting resources for classrooms, services, and supports. While challenges lie ahead, we are stronger when we speak together and I am proud to say we are united in ensuring that no child is left behind.

As we step into this school year, let us remember that education is more than policies and numbers, it is about the success, joy, and growth of our children. With your continued involvement, your encouragement at home, and your willingness to advocate, I am confident we can transform challenges into opportunities.

On behalf of the EPCA, I wish all students, parents, and educators a successful and inspiring school year. Let’s make it one filled with learning, connection, and resilience.

Warmly,
Katherine Korakakis
President, English Parents’ Committee Association

Montreal, July 16, 2025 — Following the release of the final budget rules for the education sector, the English Parents Committee Association (EPCA) and the Fédération des comités de parents du Québec (FCPQ) are urging the Quebec government and the entire education network to go further to ensure students’ access to essential educational services are never compromised. While the budgetary outlook is less dire than expected, both organizations stress: our children deserve better.

“It is unacceptable that our children’s future continues to be put at risk in the name of balancing budgets. Educational services are not a luxury — they are essential.” added Katherine Korakakis, President of EPCA.

"Our children's education, their success and well-being must come before balancing the budget." indicates Mélanie Laviolette, President of the FCPQ.

In recent years, students in Quebec have faced constant disruptions: the COVID-19 pandemic led to learning and developmental setbacks, followed by prolonged school closures due to strikes. A recovery plan had been launched, but funding for key support measures, including tutoring and free summer school, was discontinued last year, raising serious concerns among parents and educators.

Back in March 2025, parents were already voicing fears about the slowing pace of educational investment in the provincial budget. Today, FCPQ and EPCA are reiterating their call for the government to demonstrate that education is truly its top priority — and to ensure that student success doesn’t depend on shifting political will.

Both organizations are perplexed by the government's continued denial that the earlier versions of the budget rules signaled cuts, even as stakeholders across the education network spent weeks scrambling to understand how to maintain services.

Throughout the summer, both FCPQ and EPCA will remain active, monitoring developments, maintaining dialogue with partners, and supporting their member parent committees.

One thing is clear: parents will not stand by as their children’s success, well-being, and future are jeopardized. Their voices will be heard; education must be the priority.

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About the English Parent Committee Association (EPCA)
EPCA is a coalition of parent committees from Quebec’s English-language school boards.
As the official voice of the English-speaking public school parent community, it represents nearly
100,000 students and advocates on their behalf to the Ministry of Education and throughout the
education system.

About the Fédération des comités de parents du Québec (FCPQ)
The FCPQ represents parent committees from more than 90% of Quebec’s school service centres. For over 50 years, it has supported dedicated volunteer parents working to strengthen parental involvement in public elementary and secondary schools to ensure quality education for all children.

Dear parents,

As we near the end of another school year, I'd like to share a message of celebration—of progress, resilience, and community. Instead, I am writing with concern.

Last week, the Quebec government announced a $510 million cut to public education. This is more than just a budget adjustment. The decision will have a direct impact on students, families, teachers, and school staff across the province. And it comes on top of the $200 million in cuts imposed earlier this fall.

The message to school boards is blunt: do more with less. If possible, try to protect student services while still making them functional. The cuts were implemented with little to no meaningful consultation, leaving school boards scrambling to make decisions that could jeopardize student support.

We are already seeing the effects.

These cuts fall hardest on:

Students who rely on speech therapists, psychologists, or special education teachers to help them learn and thrive.

Extracurricular programs and supportive environments help children stay connected and engaged.

Schools that are already overburdened, doing their best with scarce resources.

At EPCA, we've spent the year listening to parents throughout Quebec. We repeatedly hear the same message: families want more support, more transparency, and a stronger relationship with the public education system. This decision takes us in the opposite direction.

I can't pretend I'm not deeply concerned. These cuts are shortsighted. They send the incorrect message about our values, forcing us to ask difficult questions:

What kind of future will we create if we continue to undermine public education?
How can we claim that education is a priority when our actions suggest otherwise?

The timing of this announcement, just as families are preparing for summer, was not coincidental. As parents look forward to rest, camping, travel, and quality time with their children, these cuts are quietly implemented with little public oversight.

Nonetheless, we must remain alert. We must return in the fall, prepared to speak up.

• Attend your school's annual assembly.
• Inquire with your community's governing board about the impact of these cuts.
• Ensure that your child receives the necessary services.
• Support your local parent committee.
• Ask questions. Demand answers. Please share your perspective.

Because if we don't advocate for our children, who will?

Education is not a luxury; it serves as the foundation for all that we hope to achieve in the future. And we cannot build that future by dismantling the supports that our children require now.

I wish you and your family a peaceful and joyful summer. Let us return in the fall, prepared to make our voices heard.

Yours,
Katherine Korakakis
President
English Parents' Committee Association (EPCA)

Dear parents,

As we end the 2024–2025 school year, one theme stands out clearly: the well-being of our children must be our collective priority—at home, in our schools, and across our communities. At EPCA, this belief has guided a year of bold advocacy, meaningful action, and deep listening.

Over the past year, we’ve raised our voices on issues that matter deeply to families across Quebec:

• The growing mental health crisis among youth and the urgent need for better access to in-school supports;
• The rights of students with special needs, especially those being denied access to post-secondary education due to French language requirements;
• The consequences of excessive screen time and the digital divide on student well-being and learning; and
• The pressing need for equitable school funding to ensure every child receives the support they deserve.

But advocacy is only the beginning. EPCA has also taken action. We’ve partnered in campaigns to prevent bullying and violence, promoted mental health literacy, and worked tirelessly to strengthen communication between schools and families. Throughout all of this, we’ve reinforced one central message: parents must have a voice in shaping the learning environments where their children grow.

This year, we’ve expanded our support to parents across the province—through new trainings, better communication tools, and accessible resources designed to empower and inform. Our goal is simple: to meet parents where they are and walk alongside them as partners in their child’s success.

The strength of EPCA comes from you—from every parent who takes the time to get involved, to ask hard questions, to advocate for better, and to build stronger connections between home and school. Your engagement gives weight to our work and helps us advocate with purpose at the provincial level.

I’m incredibly proud of what we’ve accomplished together—and inspired by what’s still to come. Thank you for your trust, your partnership, and your ongoing support.

With gratitude,

Katherine Korakakis
President, English Parents’ Committee Association

Dear Parents,

I am pleased to present the recommendations of EPCA and its parent committees regarding Bill 94, introduced by Minister of Education Bernard Drainville. This bill seeks to reinforce secularism within Quebec’s education system by amending the Education Act and the Act Respecting Private Education. The proposed legislation introduces new obligations for schools, administration, staff, students, and volunteers to uphold principles of state secularism and democratic values. To learn more about our specific recommendations on Bill 94, see the information we provided here.

Banning Cell Phones in Schools

You may have seen recent news coverage announcing that, starting in the 2025 school year, students will no longer be permitted to use cell phones during school hours—whether inside the school or on the playground, with specific exceptions for pedagogical purposes, health requirements, or special needs accommodations. While the goal is to create a more focused learning environment, it is crucial that Governing Boards play an active role in determining how this policy is applied. Equally important is the involvement of students and parents to identify challenges and develop solutions, ensuring the measures are both realistic and considerate of diverse needs.

Ensuring Access to Education for All Students

We have heard from parents whose children, despite meeting academic requirements, are being refused entry to CEGEP programs solely because they cannot meet heightened French language criteria. This is particularly concerning for students with learning disabilities such as dyslexia, ADHD, or autism spectrum disorder (ASD), who may require modified learning environments and additional time to acquire language skills. The absence of reasonable accommodations for these students contradicts the very principles of accessibility and inclusion that our education system is meant to uphold.

Exceptional provisions must be made for students with identified challenges. The education system must recognize their individual learning paths and create pathways that allow them to access CEGEP and graduate with dignity and pride. No student should be left behind because of language barriers that do not account for their unique learning needs.

We are committed to advocating for these provisions and will continue to work with our government partners, and educational partners to ensure that every student, regardless of their learning profile, has the opportunity to succeed.

As we approach the end of the school year, our newsletter is dedicated to helping parents and students prepare for final exams and important transitions. We remain dedicated to representing your voice on these critical issues, advocating for policies that not only support academic success but also prioritize the well-being and inclusion of all students.

In solidarity,

Katherine Korakakis
President, English Parents’ Committee Association

Dear Parents

I am heartened by the Quebec Superior Court’s ruling against Bill 40, which ensures our English school boards remain intact and preserves our voice in education. However, as the school year nears its end, many of you are feeling the fatigue of navigating challenges. Parents contacting EPCA inform us that there is often a lack of resources to meet the needs of our children; whatever the reason for this, those calls are never easy. The recent slowdown in Quebec’s education investments, despite education being a government priority, raises concerns that student services will face further strain.

In addition to Bill 40, there are other Bills that impact education in Quebec. Bill 94, which amends the Education Act to reinforce secularism, proposes extending the ban on religious symbols to all staff working with students and prohibiting face coverings for religious reasons. It also includes measures to improve student services and governance, including a code of ethics for governing board members.

A pressing concern is the impact of Bill 96’s French-language requirements for CEGEP students, mandating three program courses in French or five French second-language courses. For students with special needs—such as autism or language disorders—these rules create insurmountable barriers. My son, and many others, risk being unable to attend CEGEP due to a lack of accommodations. Even though these children may only struggle with language processing, the French requirements become a hurdle that may impact the rest of their lives, including ending early their academic career. Developed without consulting families or educators, Bill 96 threatens to exclude vulnerable students from higher education. EPCA asks for clear exemptions for students with documented needs, inclusive policies that promote French proficiency without sacrificing equity, and adequate resources to bridge the gap between student needs and school capacity.

EPCA is actively engaged in consultations and will present a brief to ensure that our community’s perspectives are heard.

All the best as we transition into the warmer weather and the ending of the school year.

Katherine Korakakis
President, English Parents’ Committee Association

Navigating English schooling options in Québec just got easier! This new guide, created by the Centre for Access to Services in English (CASE), breaks down who’s eligible for English instruction, how to apply for a Certificate of Eligibility, and what documents you’ll need. Whether you’re a permanent resident, temporary visitor, or facing unique circumstances, we’ve got you covered with clear, step-by-step info.

📚 Start your journey today! Visit https://epcaquebec.org/declaration-of-eligibility/ for the full guide and share this post to help others unlock access to English education in Québec.

Montreal, April 3, 2025— The English Parents' Committee Association (EPCA) is thrilled by today’s landmark decision by the Quebec Court of Appeal, which firmly upholds the rights of Quebec’s English-speaking community to manage and control its own educational institutions.

In a resounding affirmation of minority language rights, the Court has struck down key provisions of Bill 40, declaring them unconstitutional for Quebec’s English-speaking community.

This decisive ruling protects the democratic right of parents and the English-speaking minority to manage and control their own schools, as guaranteed under Section 23 of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. 

“This is a historic victory,” said EPCA President Katherine Korakakis, “not just for parents, but for every member of our community who believes in shaping our children’s future. The Court’s decision is a powerful reminder that our voices matter, and our right to govern our schools is non-negotiable.”

EPCA applauds the Court’s clarity, courage, and commitment to constitutional principles, and looks forward to working with stakeholders across Quebec to continue building strong, responsive, and inclusive English-language institutions.

The English Parents' Committee Association, the EPCA, is a coalition of parents' committees of Quebec's English school boards; it represents nearly 100,000 students in the young anglophone sector. EPCA is a non-profit association funded by the Ministry of Education (MEQ). The EPCA advocates for public education in English in Quebec and lobbies for questions that concern members of our parent committee. 

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Media Contact:
Katheirne Korakakis
President EPCA
514-668-8672
president@epcaquebec.org
www.epcaquebec.org

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

March 26, 2025

EPCA: Budget Fails to Meet the Moment for Education

Montreal, March 26, 2025 — The English Parents’ Committee Association (EPCA) acknowledges the Quebec government’s repeated statements that education remains a priority, but today’s budget does not deliver the support needed to confront the real challenges facing students, schools, and families.

“We’re not questioning the government’s intentions—we’re questioning the follow-through,” said EPCA President Katherine Korakakis. “Parents across Quebec are being told that education matters, but this budget offers little to no reassurance that the system will get the help it desperately needs.”

The budget’s education measures fall short in several key areas:

• Essential services for students with learning difficulties, like tutoring and free summer courses introduced during the academic catch-up plan, are being phased out.

• Infrastructure projects—already delayed or stalled—remain uncertain.

• Mental health and special needs support, repeatedly flagged by parents as urgent, are barely addressed.

EPCA also notes the lack of new investment to support parental involvement and school governance, despite strong evidence that engaged families are critical to student success.

That said, EPCA welcomes funding aimed at improving literacy and teacher recruitment but warns that without flexibility and local decision-making power, even good investments can miss their mark.

“English-speaking communities already face barriers when accessing education services,” said Korakakis. “We expected this budget to close those gaps, not widen them. Our students need real, targeted support—not just good intentions.”

With serious concerns about growing inequity, EPCA urges the government to engage directly with parent leaders, governing boards, and other key partners to ensure that funds are allocated effectively and used where they are needed most.

Media Contact:
Katherine Korakakis
President, English Parents’ Committee Association (EPCA)
President@epcaquebec.org

Dear parents,

The first-ever Violence and Bullying Prevention in Schools Week, is taking place this week, March 17 to 21. The week consists of themed days, including one dedicated to parents. My hope is that this initiative will serve as a unifying moment for the entire school community—students, teachers, administrators, and families—coming together to promote respect, kindness, and civility.

Issues of civility and violence extend beyond school walls; they are societal concerns that require collective action. Every individual, organization, and authority has a role to play in modelling positive behaviour and fostering safe environments. As parents, we are crucial partners and EPCA is committed to being active in this conversation, reinforcing that parents are key allies in promoting respect, cooperation, and constructive dialogue in our schools.

The importance of preventing violence and bullying has been underscored by the National Student Ombudsman (NSO) in its first annual report. This long-awaited document validates the need for an independent resource for parents and students to address concerns about the quality of services in schools. It also highlights ongoing challenges that demand our attention. EPCA will be hosting a workshop on bullying on March 31 to provide parents with the tools they need to navigate these challenges and advocate effectively for their children. I encourage you to register and participate.

Additionally, I am excited to share the results of the second edition of the national survey on the well-being of Quebec families. Thanks to your incredible participation, 11,000 parents contributed to this year’s survey, far surpassing expectations. This would not have been possible without the invaluable collaboration of our partners, including Dr. Mélissa Généreux, the FCPQ, the Association pour la santé publique du Québec, and the Réseau québécois pour la réussite éducative. I invite you to mark your calendars for April 22, 2025, when Dr. Généreux will present the full findings.

Finally, I would like to take a moment to acknowledge that this month represents the five-year anniversary of the start of the pandemic and massive changes in our educational system and our children’s learning. We take time in this newsletter to reflect on this and provide some thoughts on what we have learned and where we go from here.

I hope you are enjoying the start of the warmer weather,

Katherine Korakakis
President, English Parents’ Committee Association