EMSB concerned over the decision to postpone FACE renovations indefinitely

The English Montreal School Board wishes to assure staff and students enrolled in the English sector of FACE School that their concerns will be addressed, following the announcement by Education Minister Bernard Drainville that the major rehabilitation project for the building a 3449 University Street has been postponed indefinitely.

The Minister stated that this decision was made due to budgetary constraints and the estimated cost of almost $400 million in repairs for the heritage building.

FACE is the only school building that jointly houses EMSB and Centre de Service Scolaire de Montréal (CSSDM) staff and students. The CSSDM owns and manages the facility. It was already announced that elementary school students will relocate to a building at 4835  Christophe Colomb in the Plateau-Montréal area for next year. High School students will be directed to the former Baron Byng High School/Sun Youth Organization on St. Urbain  Street in a few years time.

“While we were well aware that the FACE building is in need of significant renovations, the possibility of this building closing as a school permanently was never raised,” said EMSB Chair Joe Ortona.  “We are disappointed in the process.  For the Minister to just announce this late on a Friday afternoon left everyone with more questions than answers. The Minister has an obligation to consult, even in the French sector! It's a disregard of our rights.”

Mr. Ortona says he finds it ironic that the Minister’s announcement came a day  after the Quebec Court of Appeal ruled against the  CAQ government’s legislation aimed at abolishing English school boards. “On his own the Minister decided for us – the English and French sectors - about where we're going without any considerations for our needs or concerns.”

Mr. Ortona said that nobody is questioning the necessity to relocate all of the students so that work can be done. He also understands the concerns over the high cost of renovations. 

“We worked very closely with the CSSDM over the last number of years to come up with an interim solution,” Mr. Ortona said. “That meant placing the elementary and high school students in separate buildings and quite a  distance from each other. It is hardly an ideal situation and poses its challenges. Had we known this would be permanent, we would have sought out other options in terms of facilities.”

Mr. Ortona wishes to ensure  staff and students that the EMSB will be meeting with the CSSDM to get more clarification on the situation. “Right now it is business as usual,” he said. “The 2024-25 academic year will continue as usual and the elementary school will relocate in September. For the high school, there will be no changes probably for the next few years until the St. Urbain Street building is ready. Time  is on our side to seek more answers.

“Our team wants to make it clear that ensuring the long-term survival of our fine arts curriculum remains a priority and staff will continue to provide students with quality instruction, as has been the case for the past 50 years.”

An information meeting will take place on Tuesday, April 8 as originally planned to discuss the relocation of the elementary school with representatives from the CSSDM in attendance.

About the English Montreal School Board

With a youth and adult sector population of more than 35,000 students, the English Montreal School Board (EMSB) is the largest English public school board in Quebec. Established on July 1, 1998, when the province created new boards along linguistic lines, the EMSB network consists of 73 schools and centres. For more details, visit the EMSB website at www.emsb.qc.ca.