MARTOW QUESTIONS GOVERNMENT ON CLOSURE OF FRANCOPHONE SCHOOL FOR THE DEAF AND BLIND

QUEEN’S PARK – Today, Ontario PC Francophone Affairs Critic, Gila Martow (MPP for Thornhill) questioned the government on its decision to close Centre Jules-Léger in Ottawa, the only bilingual school for the deaf and blind in Ontario.

“Despite the government’s one year respite, they continue to look at Ontario’s deaf and blind as a way to save money.  This is cruel,” stated Martow.  “Centre Jules-Léger in Ottawa provides a bilingual education in Quebec Sign Language and French.  If the government closes this school it would undo 130 years of community advocacy for the use of sign language in deaf children’s education.”

Centre Jules-Léger is one of only four schools for the deaf and blind in Ontario, and the only one to offer bilingual education in Quebec Sign Language and French.  On April 13th, Education Minister Liz Sandals announced the school would remain open for an additional year while the province conducts a consultation process that could result in the potential closure of two of the four schools.  No further funding commitments have been made to-date.

“Years of scandal, waste and mismanagement are leading this Premier to cut essential services. After much pressure, the Minister of Education reopened enrolment for 2016-17 at Centre Jules-Léger in Ottawa.  That was only to undercut the rally at Queen’s Park the next day.  One year does not protect the future of these children,” added Martow.

“Will the government commit to keeping this school and schools like it open for the foreseeable future?” asked Martow.