Alain Guy was chosen as the new chairperson for the council on Jan. 30, stepping up to assume the responsibilities as the fifth leader of the WQSB since it’s creation in 1998.

Guy began his work with the education system as early as 1990, when he first started as a parent commissioner with the Commission scolaire des Draveurs. In 2014, he took on the role of vice chair of the WQSB, which he held until his latest appointment.

“I’ve been involved with the interests of making sure we offer exceptional education services to our students for many years now, so I believe I’m bringing a lot of expertise and some life-learning experience to the board as the chair,” said Guy.

Since the sudden passing of the previous WQSB Chairman James Shea on Dec. 29, 2018, the seat had been vacant until Guy’s appointment.

Guy said he is proud and humbled to follow Shea, especially as he was appointed by his fellow commissioners. He looks forward to continuing to uphold minority language rights and ensuring students success within the WQSB.

“First of all, our prime responsibility is to make sure we offer great educational services for our students, our [adult] learners … I think that’s what my prime interest is – my first priority is always to be listening to our constituents, our parents, and those partners, those stakeholders,” said Guy.

The new chairman also spoke to his role of representing the English language community and ensuring their rights thrive, especially as the newly elected provincial government, headed by the Coalition Avenir Quebec (CAQ), looks to abolish school boards.

“As chair I will continue to make sure that there is a local voice and a local choice for our voters, our taxpayers, and once the government decides how they are going to go forward, then we will deal with those as a priority for our board,” said Guy.

Guy’s concerns with this plan stem around providing a fair voice to minority language speakers within Quebec.

“The only thing we know is they want to do away with school boards and create service centres, which to us is very concerning because I think that the English community will lose their voice and we will lose our say into educational matters,” said Guy.

He continued to say that it is disappointing to have to work with these kinds of concerns held over their heads as a school board, as it can be upsetting for parents looking ahead to their student’s success.

“To me, as a parent … I find it’s a distraction right now because there are a lot of messages out there, but we have to stay focused on what our role is as a school board, as elected commissioners and as chair,” said Guy, of the uncertainties surrounding school board abolitions. “We have responsibilities that we have to continue with, what we were elected for.”

As the government looks to change the current structure, council and chair mandates were extended an additional two years, through to late 2020. Since the chairperson is usually elected, in this scenario it was recommended by the government that the new chair be appointed internally, explained Guy.

Guy’s vacant council seat, Greater Gatineau (ward 7), will also be appointed by the council.

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