Opposition builds against QC Bill 96, community explores workaround

Opposition is continuing to build as Indigenous communities in Quebec push back against Bill 96 and the challenges that it poses for Indigenous students. Cree Nation Government officials argue that the bill ignores treaty rights and that Indigenous students will be forced to attend school in Ontario to bypass the language requirements. The Kahnawake Education Center in the Kanien’kehá:ka community stated that it had discovered a workaround for the Bill and announced that it is exploring offering a Grade 12 program that will offer a recognized Ontario secondary school diploma. CBC reports that the spokesperson for the QC Education Minister indicated that the offer of ON Grade 12 services, which could enable students to bypass the cégep system, is not authorized and that QC intends to close the loophole. “[This legislation] will not deter our goal to support our students on any life and career path they choose,” said Kahnawake Education Center Director of Education Robin Delaronde.