Quebec's English school boards have launched a campaign targeting a specific group of parents: anglophones who have chosen to enroll their children in the French school system. Their urgent message is to obtain an English school eligibility certificate for their children now, even if it's not currently needed.
The "Use It or Lose It" Campaign
The Quebec English School Boards Association (QESBA), representing nine boards across the province, is driving the initiative with radio ads and online outreach. The campaign's tagline, "If you don't use it, you will lose it," underscores the perceived urgency. The timing coincides with the school registration period beginning in late January.
"The message that we are sending is that the eligibility certificate is really, really important," said Joe Ortona, president of QESBA and chair of the English Montreal School Board. "Even if you don't need it now, you're going to need it later. You don't want to permanently close doors unnecessarily and close certain opportunities for your children."
Why the Certificate Matters More Than Ever
The English eligibility certificate, or déclaration d'admissibilité à l'enseignement en anglais, has been a cornerstone of Quebec's language landscape since the adoption of Bill 101 in 1977. However, its significance has been amplified by the Coalition Avenir Québec government's Bill 96, which reinforced provincial language laws.
The certificate now critically shapes a student's path through the post-secondary CEGEP system. English CEGEPs must prioritize applicants holding the certificate when space is limited. Furthermore, only students with a certificate follow the standard English curriculum, including the English exit exam.
Anglophone students without the certificate who attend an English CEGEP face a different academic track: they must pass the French exit exam and take specific French courses designed to prepare them for it.
A Closing Window and Broader Implications
A key driver of the campaign is a restrictive policy from Quebec's Education Ministry. The ministry refuses to issue certificates to individuals who have already completed high school, and applications submitted near the end of Grade 11 may also be denied.
"It is important to note that once secondary school studies are completed, any application will be refused," the ministry states. Ortona argues Quebec should not deny certificates to adults, but given the government's stance, early action is essential. "Get it before your child is of school age because once you have it, you don't have to worry, and all the doors are open for your child," he advised.
The long-term ramifications extend beyond the individual student. A parent who attended French schools but never received their own certificate could later encounter obstacles when trying to enroll their own children in the English system.
Statistics Canada data from 2021 highlights the scale of the issue: of Quebec's 230,000 school-age children eligible for English instruction, about 55,000 (roughly one-quarter) were enrolled in the French system.
Eligibility and How to Apply
Eligibility for the certificate is governed by specific criteria. A child living permanently in Quebec may qualify if:
- They, a sibling, or a parent received the majority of their elementary education in English in Canada.
- One parent is a Canadian citizen who attended an English elementary school in Canada.
- A parent attended school in Quebec after August 26, 1977, and could have been declared eligible at that time.
The QESBA's website also mentions a potential pathway through a grandparent, aunt, or uncle's education, though the Education Ministry's official site does not list this. The ministry did not respond to a request for clarification on this point.
To apply, parents must contact their local English school board to schedule an appointment and submit required documentation, such as a parent's report card. The board forwards the application to the Education Ministry, which typically issues a decision within 20 business days.
The campaign occurs against a backdrop where anglophone advocacy groups accuse the CAQ government of targeting all levels of English education, from proposed changes to school board governance to new CEGEP restrictions and university tuition policies.
