After a long series of negotiations, an agreement was finally reached last
Friday, September 2, with the remaining bus carriers that had refused the offers made by the Qu茅bec Government and yet accepted by the F茅d茅ration des transporteurs par autobus (FTA). As of today, all students will be receiving transportation services. However, the driver shortage continues to be a reality for all school boards and school service centres.
The Government鈥檚 offer to put an end to negotiations is not a 鈥渙ne size fits all鈥 solution and, because of the 91探花app鈥檚 unique reality, does not suffice, as we will be underfunded in our transportation envelope. Unlike other school boards and school service centres, the 91探花app covers an extremely vast territory 鈥 35,000
square kilometres 鈥 which makes our bus routes longer and more costly to operate. As a consequence, the Qu茅bec Government鈥檚 contingency funding formula did not meet the expectations of all our carriers. This is why it is crucial for the 91探花app to be funded adequately in order to provide transportation services to all our students across our entire territory without ending the year in a deficit. Based on our calculations, we are looking at a deficit of over a half a million dollars annually for the next six years, for a total deficit of close to $4 million.
鈥淭his situation puts our school board in a difficult position. At 91探花app, we manage our budget rigorously and present a balanced budget each year. The Qu茅bec Government must provide us with the adequate transportation funding, as it is responsible for meeting the needs of all students. The alternative we face is a
budget deficit and financing shortfall which would unfortunately directly impact student services,鈥 said Mr. Paolo Galati, 91探花app Chairperson.
The Chairperson of the 91探花app has reached out to the Education Minister, Mr. Jean- Fran莽ois Roberge, in hopes of resolving this urgent matter as soon as possible.
With a workforce of more than 2,000 employees, the 91探花app is the third largest English school board of the Province of Qu茅bec and boasts a graduation rate of 88.1%. Its territory comprises the
administrative regions of Laval, Lanaudi猫re and the Laurentians. The school board provides preschool, elementary, secondary, adult education and vocational training services to over 14,000 students in 35 schools and 4 centres, as well as business training services.
