
Parents in court demanding Quebec offer remote learning option for all who want it
MONTREAL — A lawyer representing a group of Quebec parents was in court Thursday trying to compel the province’s Education Department to provide an online learning option for all families who want it.
Only children with serious medical conditions or who live with someone at risk of severe complications from COVID-19 are able to get an exemption from physically attending elementary and high school classes. Most other provinces in Canada offer a remote learning option for families who request it.
Human rights lawyer Julius Grey told Quebec Superior Court Justice Frederic Bachand on Thursday the decision to send one’s child to class during the COVID-19 pandemic is an extremely private and personal one.
He asked the court for a safeguard order allowing parents access to online courses for their children immediately, before the case is argued on its merits at a later date. To obtain this temporary measure, Grey has to convince the judge that the inconveniences of maintaining the status quo outweigh the consequences of changing the current policy.