CUPE joins the Association québécoise du personnel de direction des écoles, AQPDE, in denouncing the harmful effects that the abolition of the Programme de l’expérience Québécoise, PEQ, will have on Quebec’s education system. At a time when staff shortages are already stretching schools thin, the expiry of work permits for over one thousand school workers will have a devastating impact on services to students.
“Services are already in a vulnerable state,” commented Michelle Poulin, president of CUPE Québec’s education sector. “The service centres of our member schools are already dealing with hiring freezes as well as employees’ sick leaves and resignations. We have to do everything we can to keep workers who are going through the immigration process. Otherwise, our education system will be in for a major shock in 2026. It would be absurd and cruel to put Quebec children through that.”
Poulin added, “Let’s also have some consideration for all the families who are putting down roots in Quebec and making a very positive contribution to our schools and to our society. We therefore demand that everything be done for them to stay in Quebec, whether it takes reinstating the PEQ or by any other means. The Québec government needs to sort this matter out. It’s urgent.”