Judge rejects demand to halt transfer of two Montreal English schools to French system

Jul 8, 2019 | 11:55 AM

MONTREAL — A Quebec Superior Court judge has rejected a demand to immediately halt the transfer of two east-end Montreal English-language schools to the French system.

The English Montreal School Board had sought a court injunction on grounds the Quebec government’s decision to transfer the schools was a violation of minority language rights guaranteed in the Constitution.

The board argued the Education Department’s decision would also hurt the vitality of the English-speaking community and wanted an immediate halt to the transfers pending an evaluation of the merits of the case.

In a decision published today, Justice Dominique Poulin said the English board failed to convince her the matter was urgent. She added an injunction would do more harm to the French-language school board because it is in serious need of space for students.