Each one’s success:
a collective project

Jean-François Lisée and Véronique Hivon present the PQ’s platform on education

By Jean-Luc Burlone

At a recent CORIM luncheon, the Parti Québécois offered a message on education, delivered by two voices speaking alternately: one being party chief Jean-François Lisée, well known for his book writing, and the other, vice-chief Ms Véronique Hivon, recognized for her efforts in favour of the young and the disadvantaged, as well as for the “Respecting End-of-life Care Act”, adopted in 2014.

The main topic of the speech was education and its undeniable contribution to the economic growth of Quebec.

The main topic of the speech was education and its undeniable contribution to the economic growth of Quebec as underlined by Ms Hivon. The fact that Quebec high school students are today at the top of international results as measured by PISA and that Montreal has become a global research hub on AI confirms this.

With sincere emotion, she went on to point out how education promotes the inclusion of disadvantaged communities, reducing inequalities, which in turn improves social cohesion, and facilitates social mobility, thus reassuring every child that they can realize their dreams.

Speaking in turn, Party Québécois leader Jean-François Lisée promised not to reduce taxes (nor to increase them). With reason, since the government of Quebec – like almost every OECD government – needs money to meet the growing needs of an ageing population.

‘There was an interesting commitment from Ms. Hivon to adopt a “shield law” against budget cuts that negatively impact the protection, development and success of young people.’

Unfortunately, even though good governance recommends that governments agree to a minimum threshold for taxation to provide sufficient income to meet their obligations, Quebec certainly does not have the weight to impose this approach. As long as Europe and the United States participate in a race towards the lowest possible tax rate in order to attract investors, it will be difficult for Quebec to avoid the trend, on pain of losing investment and the jobs that ensue from it.

There was an interesting commitment from Ms. Hivon to adopt a “shield law” against budget cuts that negatively impact the protection, development and success of young people. The Auditor General would be its guarantor, but can a government be prevented from amending a law if a new context requires it?

A corollary to education, Lisée said illiteracy would be addressed in a national strategy involving all members of civil society with the year 2020 marking the beginning of a decade for the elimination of illiteracy in the province.

The keynote address The success of each: a collective project rightly emphasized the vital importance of education in our society. Some even say that education is even more important than health because knowledge promotes healthier lifestyle habits.

Five months before the elections, the education policy was presented with emotion and pride, two traditional tools of choice of the Parti Québécois. An interesting start to the campaign… to be followed by questions on health and the economy.

Images: Sylvie-Ann Paré

Read also: Creating more opportunities between Canada and India