Progress to protect our youth
Kévin Roy, president
Dear friends,
Last month, I asked the question « How can we better protect our youth? and I shared with you the actions and solutions initiated by the FCPQ. Over the past few weeks, some of our requests and recommendations have been heard by the decision makers.
The Minister of Education has announced a comprehensive inquiry into school violence, as well as a national strategy to address school violence, including cyberbullying and sexual violence. There is still a long way to go, but these are important steps that acknowledge that instances of violence are not just isolated events and that a national approach is needed.
As a follow-up to our requests for road safety around schools, we received an invitation from the Minister of Transport and Sustainable Mobility, Geneviève Guilbault, to discuss short and long-term solutions. We shared parents’ recommendations regarding urban planning, behaviour, enforcement, awareness and training. We also reiterated that school transportation should be recognized as an essential service for access to school.
We have also had discussions with several ministries and partners on the regulation of work by children prior to the tabling of Bill 19 on this subject. We hope to be able to share the parents’ perspective with the parliamentary committee.
These results show me that the way in which our Federation brings the voice of parents to the table is bearing fruit. Our many discussions with the government, opposition parties and partners in the education network are moving the parents’ recommendations forward, always in the interest of the students.
We still have a long way to go, but I am relieved and encouraged by this progress. It is a priority for parents that students are safe at school, on the road and in their extracurricular activities. We will always be there to advocate for children and to be the voice of parents.
I would like to conclude by sharing with you some of the topics that will be on the agenda for our April General Council: the Act respecting the regulation of work by children, the anti-bullying and anti-violence plan, and school-family-community collaboration with the Conseil supérieur de l’éducation. I look forward to discussing these issues with parent members and hearing their thoughts.
Let’s keep going, spring is here!