Suspended program, dismissed teachers

Just for Quebec and its surroundings, more than thirty regular or contract teachers lose their livelihood at the end of this school year because of this situation.

The professional specialization certificate program called “Launch of a business” brings together some 20. Meanwhile, 000 students each year in a hundred vocational training centers (CFP) across Quebec. In addition,

Especially adults already at work. Consequently, many of which follow distance learning, and who seek to have their own hair salon or their business under construction, for example.

In mid-April, the Minister of Education of Quebec, Bernard Drainville, decreed the immediate suspension of the program in all CFPs.

Presumed fraud. Therefore, Some CFPs would create false students’ files to reach more subsidies per head of pipe paid by the ministry.

On what scale? Moreover, Impossible to know still today.

A laconic press release published on Friday April 11 underlined “the seriousness of administrative irregularities” brought to. the attention of the ministry.

These “irregularities” convinced the police force of the permanent anti -corruption unit (UPAC) to investigate.

Those who gave the course were able to finish the training for a few months. But it is impossible to start new cohorts until further notice.

“Unjustified. excessive” – Suspended program, dismissed teachers

Himself a graduate suspended program, dismissed teachers of the program 15 years ago, a Quebec teacher who loses his job is concerned about the concomitance of this suspension with the recent budgetary reductions made by the government to aid organizations to beginners, such as Espace-Inc, La Ruche and Darentreprendre.

He draws the alarm, but wishes to keep anonymous for fear of reprisals from his superiors if the program reopens.

As for the President. CEO of Entrepreneurship Québec, the non-profit organization which promotes the training program and supports teachers of this discipline, it does not mince its words.

“If we want to close the program, we make a political decision. We do not hide behind a UPAC survey, which discredits all the school service centers. That’s what’s abusive. “

— Richard Décarie. boss the OBNL who promotes the program

Suspending all the programs given through Quebec suddenly suspends it clearly “unjustified and excessive”.

Mr. Décarie recalls that the UPAC has already looked into the launch program of a company. in 2014 and in 2022 he said of memory, but without follow-up.

According to him. the link is easy to make between the recent financial compressions of $ 570 million claimed by the Minister from all school service centers (CSS) and the complete closure of a program whose annual cost is around 50 million, almost 10 % of the total.

In the Capitale-Nationale. Chaudière-Appalaches, the most affected school service centers are those of the discoverers and the Côte-du-Sud.

“In 2024-2025, we received 417 registrations. The end of the program leads to the loss of 14 teaching positions as well as a development agent position. “confirms the spokesperson for discoverers.

The western school service center of Quebec gave the course only to the CFP Maurice-Barbeau, in Sainte-Foy. The discoverers cover Sainte-Foy, Sillery, Cap-Rouge, Saint-Augustin and the Ancient-Lorette.

Suspended program. dismissed teachers

11 References in Côte-du-Sud

Côte-du-Sud who largely occupies the regional county municipalities (MRC) de Bellechasse, Montmagny and L’Islet.

At the CFP of the Montmagny flight, five trainers and a suspended program, dismissed teachers part -time teacher are returned. Five part-time trainers are subject to the same fate at the Saint-Anselme agricultural training center.

In Quebec. Lévis, the capital’s school service centers and navigators declare four and three dismissals respectively as a direct consequence.

In its April communication, the Ministry of Education reported “worrying preliminary information”.

Two and a half months after the announcement of the suspension, the minister’s office sticks to the same comments.

“The suspension of the entire program remains in force for the duration of the survey,” confirmed the Drainville team Soleil.

This might mean one or more years, given the time that a UPAC survey can last.

This course has existed for 30 years. Its creator, Jean-François Roy, teacher at the CFP Maurice-Barbeau de Sainte-Foy, has just taken his retirement.

Mr. Roy had been suspended program, dismissed teachers decorated with the Order of Excellence in Education of Quebec in 2022. by the Legault government and his then Minister of Education, Jean-François Roberge.

Two online petitions against the suspension of the training in question has 2000 signatures so far.

Of the 11 school service centers. the English-speaking school board of the regions of the National Capital and Chaudière-Appalaches, six having at least one CFP which so far offered the business launch course have answered questions from Soleil About the consequences of the suspension of the program.