Québec’s Education Minister, Sonia LeBel, is reconsidering mandated caps on teaching hours as school service centres (CSS) grapple wiht budgetary constraints and conditions tied to provincial funding. The potential shift comes amid criticism from opposition parties who argue the restrictions hinder educational autonomy and jeopardize services for students.The debate centers on the Coalition avenir Québec (CAQ) government’s funding model, which links financial aid to specific targets, including limits on staffing increases. CSS are currently finalizing their budgets-due October 30th-under these conditions, facing a reduced reinvestment of $540 million for 2025-2026, down from an initially announced $570 million. This reduction followed a reversal of an earlier plan to eliminate the reinvestment entirely, a decision made in response to anticipated public opposition.
Québec solidaire MNA Gabriel Nadeau-Dubois has labelled the funding conditions “self-sabotage.” Liberal MNA Madwa-Nika Cadet echoed this sentiment, stating in a press release that Minister LeBel must “demonstrate confidence in education stakeholders on the ground, give them the autonomy to act and lift the conditions on funding, especially those related to ETC targets.” Cadet further asserted that CSS leaders are open to service sharing but oppose having student services “held hostage” by budgetary issues.
The CSS have not yet finalized their budgets for the current year, and adherence to employment ceilings remains a prerequisite for accessing available funds. The situation highlights ongoing tensions between the provincial government and local educational authorities regarding financial control and the delivery of educational services.
