The importance of voting
in the ESB elections

Two English Montreal School Board candidates speak about the issues at stake in the November 3 elections

By Irwin Rapoport

September 10, 2024

English school board elections are taking place this year across the province, with the election campaign going from September 20 to November 3, the final day of voting. These are important elections for the English community as the nine English school boards, with four in the Greater Montreal Region, represent one of the last major community organizations that we directly control.

The CAQ’s Bill 40, passed several years ago, seeks to eliminate our constitutionally protected English school boards in Quebec and replace them with Ministry of Education-controlled service centres. Bill 40 is being challenged in court by the Quebec English School Boards Association (QESBA), which won the first round at the Quebec Superior Court level with an overwhelming ruling. This case will ultimately end up at the Supreme Court of Canada, where the law as far as it applies to the English school boards, will be quashed due to being ultra vires in regards to Section 93 of the British North America Act and Section 23 of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, and jurisprudence based on several cases heard at the Supreme Court level.

One of the arguments employed by the CAQ is that so few people vote in English school board elections, and the cost can be eliminated by wiping out the elected school boards. This is utter nonsense.

These are important elections for the English community as the nine English school boards, with four in the Greater Montreal Region, represent one of the last major community organizations that we directly control.

Our school boards are critical community institutions. By having a large voter turnout, we are declaring that we care about public education and a desire to ensure student success in the youth and adult sectors. We all have a vested interest in having effective and efficient school boards that help our students, provide community services, and plan and execute essential community functions. We have had English school boards for decades before Confederation, and so many in our community have been educated at English public schools and work for them at a variety of levels and positions.

I ran as a candidate in Westmount and Southwest Montreal in 2021 because I care about education. I’m not running this year, but I am determined to ensure we have a large voter turnout for many reasons. We can achieve a high level of voter participation as voting only takes a few minutes.

The election campaign begins on September 20 and to register to vote on that day, one will have to do so at specific locations. But until then, individuals can find out if they are on the voters’ list and if not, register directly. Check out this QESBA web page. It has all the information needed to find out if you are on the list and how to register.

Katherine Korakakis (second from left) with parents at an EPCA meeting – Image: courtesy of Katherine Korakakis

To provide more information about the elections and why one should vote, Katherine Korakakis, a candidate for the Chair position of the English Montreal School Board (EMSB) and Shalani Bel, a commissioner candidate for Ward 10 (Westmount-Southwest-Ville-Marie) responded to some non-campaign questions.

WM: Before the official start of the election and the revision process, how does one get on the English School Board voters list?

Bel: You can complete this electronic version of the registration form and I will submit it to the EMSB on your behalf.

WM: Who can vote in these elections?

Bel: All residents are eligible to vote, whether they have children in the English school system or not (except those with children in the French public school system). Parents of children currently enrolled in EMSB schools are automatically registered on the English list. However, when their children turn 18 or graduate from an EMSB school, they are moved to the French electoral list by default. To remain on the English list, they must fill out a registration form.

‘… advance polls and election day locations should be relatively straightforward and held in schools across the EMSB network. Advance polls are often less crowded, so many people find it more convenient to vote early.’

WM: When the vote takes place, what documents do I need and how easy is it to vote in the advance poll and election day locations?

Korakakis: For the EMSB school board elections, you will typically need a form of identification such as a government-issued ID (e.g., a driver’s license, passport, or health card) when you go to vote.

As for the ease of voting, advance polls and election day locations should be relatively straightforward and held in schools across the EMSB network. Advance polls are often less crowded, so many people find it more convenient to vote early. To find the exact locations and times, check the EMSB website.

WM: Why is it important for members of the English-speaking community to vote in school board elections?

Bel: Voter registration and turnout, especially in underserved communities, tends to be low so the CAQ government will be unaware of our needs and mistakenly believe that we don’t care about our school boards.

WM: Why should those who no longer have children in the system or no children be concerned about the public education system and the success of every student – youth sector and adult sector?

Bel: A strong public school system reflects a healthy, supportive community that benefits everyone. Even if your children are in a different school system, we are playing together in the neighbourhood house leagues, interacting at popular events such as Family Day or the Winter Carnival, and learning together in the library reading club. Even if you don’t have children, you may be served by young people gaining work experience in the community. Today’s students are tomorrow’s teachers, caregivers, engineers, and entrepreneurs. Also, your property taxes go toward the public system. You are invested in the EMSB even if you don’t have kids attending.

‘A large voter turnout in school board elections is critical, especially in light of the Bill 40 case, which seeks to abolish school boards, replacing them with service centers.’

WM: Why are our school boards so important as English institutions and why is a large turnout so important in regards to the Bill 40 case, which seeks to eliminate our English school boards?

Korakakis: Our English school boards are vital institutions because they are the last Quebec institutions controlled and managed by the English-speaking community. Beyond education, they play a crucial role in maintaining the culture and identity of the English-speaking population in Quebec, offering a rallying point for the community, especially in the regions.

A large voter turnout in school board elections is critical, especially in light of the Bill 40 case, which seeks to abolish school boards, replacing them with service centers. Bill 40, if enacted, would strip the English-speaking community of its constitutionally protected right to manage and control its educational institutions. A strong turnout demonstrates that the community values and supports these school boards, reinforcing their importance and the need for their continued existence. It sends a clear message to the government that the English-speaking population is engaged, vigilant, and committed to defending its institutions.

WM: What is the role of a local school commissioner and the school board chair?

Korakakis: A local school commissioner represents their electoral division, advocating for the interests of parents, students, and the community. They participate in policy development, governance, and decision-making to ensure schools meet educational standards.

The school board chair leads the board, represents it to external bodies, and oversees strategic priorities. They facilitate meetings, collaborate with stakeholders, and work closely with the Director General to implement board objectives.

WM: What should voters consider in terms of questions and overall points for candidates running for elected school board positions?

Bel: I recommend that voters ask each candidate to:

Describe their connection to the community
Identify relevant experience in EMSB governance highlighting the issues they championed
Articulate the values and goals that will guide their work as commissioner

‘I have always been passionate about public education because of its ability to level the playing field. Everyone deserves a quality education and the opportunity to build a secure, meaningful life regardless of how much money their parents make, where they were born, or what language they speak.’

– Shalani Bel, a commissioner candidate for Ward 10 (Westmount-Southwest-Ville-Marie)

WM: Why are you interested in public education and what experiences and roles have you participated in and continue to play in the public education system?

Bel: I have always been passionate about public education because of its ability to level the playing field. Everyone deserves a quality education and the opportunity to build a secure, meaningful life regardless of how much money their parents make, where they were born, or what language they speak.

I have three kids attending EMSB schools and have experienced every grade from K4 to Sec 5. I have served on the governing board of Westmount Park School (WPS) for four years (with two as Chair), been the parent delegate of WPS to the EMSB Parent Committee for three years including three years on the Anti-Racism subcommittee of this body and one year on the Executive Committee. During this time in parent governance, I supported several families who had experienced racial discrimination at school.

Korakakis: As an EMSB parent, I currently hold several key leadership positions within the educational community. I’m proud to serve as EMSB Parent’s Committee Chair and am also a member of the Advisory Committee of Special Education Services (ACSES). Additionally, I have the privilege of being the President of the English Parents’ Committee Association of Quebec (EPCA) and the Vice President of the Quebec Community Group Network (QCGN).

Recently, I was appointed to the Advisory Board of English Education (ABEE) by the Minister of Education. I’m also actively involved in various critical consultative groups for the Ministry of Education of Quebec, including Comité MEQ-Partenaires (MEQ), TEEN – Table RÉA (MEQ), and the Table nationale de concertation sur la violence, les jeunes, et le milieu scolaire. Professionally, I assist in funding and scaling start-ups, and on a personal level, I’m married and a mother of two school-aged children.

As EPCA President for the past five years, I’ve been deeply committed to advocating for parent rights and ensuring that the voices of English-speaking parents are heard at the highest levels of government, having personally delivered briefs at the national assembly. I’ve always been passionate about education and student well-being, and through my work in parent governance, I’ve dedicated myself to promoting the interests of parents and students in English-speaking schools across Quebec.

‘Our collective efforts will lead to a stronger, more successful school board that truly reflects the needs and values of our community.’

– Katherine Korakakis, candidate for the Chair position of the English Montreal School Board (EMSB)

WM: If elected, what would be your top five priorities and goals?

Bel: To promote equity, accessibility, and inclusion in education; To elevate the voices of families who have previously been overlooked; To improve communication and collaboration between parents, school staff, administration, and the board; To prioritize mental health programming, addressing barriers like bullying, racial profiling, and food insecurity, while providing students with the emotional and psychological support they need to thrive; and To update the green policy and foster sustainable practices across board operations.

WM: How important is it for parents, teachers, principals, and school commissioners to work as a team to improve the experience of students and parents, the success of the school board, and the overall community?

Korakakis: As a parent running for chair of the school board, I firmly believe that collaboration between parents, teachers, principals, and school commissioners is vital to improving our children’s educational experience. When we work together as a team, we ensure that every decision is made with the best interests of students at heart, fostering a learning environment where they can thrive academically and personally.

By creating open lines of communication and building strong relationships, we not only enhance student success but also strengthen the entire community. A unified approach allows us to address challenges effectively, promote transparency, and ensure that parents have a real voice in shaping the future of our schools. Our collective efforts will lead to a stronger, more successful school board that truly reflects the needs and values of our community.

Feature image: Shalani Bel (centre) with Caitlin Ellison and Joanne Yu, co-chairs of the PPO at Westmount Park School on September 12, courtesy of Shalani Bel