It’s municipal election season, meaning it’s also time to elect new French school board (or Conseil) trustees. As of this week, advance voting has begun, with early online and phone voting available now until Oct. 16. Find HRM voting information here.
CSAP candidates across 10 districts run in municipal elections to represent their districts while also sitting on a provincial Conseil representing the interests of all CSAP voters, families, and students in Nova Scotia. In this election, only two CSAP districts are contested. Halifax is one of those two districts.
Not sure how to vote for a CSAP candidate? In the HRM, here’s how:
- Look up your district here and your voting location here
- Check to make sure that you’re on the elector list in the HRM here or calling the Voter Help Line at 902-490-VOTE (8683) or 1-844-301-VOTE (8683) to be added to the list
- Make sure you fit the requirements to be an eligible CSAP voter listed here
- Request a CSAP ballot when you vote (either online, by phone or in person)
Four candidates are running for two seats in the HRM. Three of the four candidates are running for re-election, having served on the CSAP board for the previous four-year term: Jeff Arsenault, Katherine Howlett, and Marc Pinet.
The fourth is Jean-Phillipe Bourgeois, a CSAP parent on the peninsula who’s been advocating for an urban school at CSAP meetings and publicly for years.
Howlett lives in downtown Dartmouth and is the mother of four former CSAP students. Originally from Ottawa, she has lived in Dartmouth for 30 years and considers herself an Acadian by adoption. She works for the non-profit organization Conseil de développement économique de la Nouvelle-Écosse (CDÉNÉ), has worked for Nova Scotia Health as a coordinator in French Language Services, and currently works for the federal government. Information about each candidate can be found in French here.
The Coast requested all four HRM candidates answer the same 11-item questionnaire on concerns facing CSAP families.
Related
Who should you vote for in the CSAP elections?
Below are Howlett’s remaining responses to the questionnaire.
The Coast: This summer, the province proclaimed the Conseil scolaire acadien provincial Act. In your own words, describe the significance of this legislation and what it will change.
Howlett: The fact that we have an act where the province has laid out roles and responsibilities is huge. To put it into perspective, I attended French first language schools in another province. Had I been born and raised in Nova Scotia, I would not have been able to do so. So, the proclamation of this act shows the province of Nova Scotia’s commitment to French first language education. French first language education enables families to support and, in my case, reclaim their language and culture. My grandfather would have been so proud to speak his mother tongue with his great-grandchildren because his children never learned to speak French and he had six daughters. They’re also reviewing the law of French language services in the province. We’ve had the proclamation of Acadian Day and Acadian Heritage Month. The importance of these things is that they can’t be taken away in the same way once they’re given. It’s a recognition of what communities have been working towards for a long time, so it’s a celebration.
The Coast: In May, the UARB approved the Conseil’s request to reduce the number of elected members from 18 to 13. This means the HRM will now have two members, down from three, to represent its constituents. What will this change?
Howlett: I’m of the view that a smaller Conseil can be more efficient. Board members, once they’re elected from the 10 zones across the province, are expected to make decisions in the best interests of all the students in the province: to manage the budget, develop and monitor strategic plans, create policies that serve all students and to meet the outcomes of the Department of Education.
The Coast: Based on what was presented to the UARB, the two newly elected CSAP members in the HRM will now represent over 10,000 eligible voters, or just under 43% of voters province-wide, and 3,317 students, or over 52% of students province-wide. How big of a problem will representation be at the Conseil and how do you plan to address it?
Howlett: Like my last answer, when you come to the table, you bring that piece of your region with you, but the Conseil decides.
The Coast: How aware are you of the problems with the Transco bus service for HRM students? Explain what is being done to fix these problems.
Howlett: As a mother of four kids who attended the CSAP and were bussed to school, I can relate to how those parents must have felt. There’s nothing more important than the safety of our kids. This issue was addressed at our meeting, and the board chair is available to comment directly for more information, but information has been sent to parents.
The Coast: When will the new CSAP school on the peninsula open? Explain how this school fits the Conseil’s Strategic Plan for 2024-2030 and how families were consulted about the selection and design process.
Howlett: The CSAP’s strategic plan focuses on issues within our mandate, and the Department of Education has jurisdiction over infrastructure.
Related
Stop the build on new French-language school on the peninsula, says suspended school board member
The Coast: The Department of Public Works selected the chosen site at Oxford Street and Bayers Road and presented it to the Department of Education, who approved it. However, they only presented one site to the department. Do you agree this was/is the best site for a peninsula school, or were there other sites discussed?
Howlett: The process of selecting school sites belongs to the province. I’m very happy there’s a new school opening on the peninsula. It’s a great thing. There will be a community centre attached, a daycare and more.
The Coast: How concerned are families with the power the CSAP has to make infrastructure decisions?
Howlett: As noted above, education is a provincial jurisdiction and this includes infrastructure. However, annually, the Conseil is invited to submit a list of its priorities to the Department of Education. That’s public information, where we carefully consider the needs of each region. Those are the tough decisions that the board has to make. There are budgetary restrictions and all kinds of discussions. There is no school fairy. Parents often come and present to the Conseil, which is great. I think that we do what we can within our respective mandates.
Related
The missing Grade 9 problem
Read each HRM candidate’s complete series of responses to The Coast’s questionnaire in the links below.
Related
Meet CSAP candidate Jeff Arsenault
Related
Meet CSAP candidate Jean-Philippe Bourgeois
Related Stories
Meet CSAP candidate Marc Pinet
This article appears in Oct 1 – Nov 6, 2024.