The Alliance of Popular Education Centers of Montreal (InterCEP) presented this week to the Minister of Education Jean-François Roberge the signatures collected during a campaign calling for financial assistance to ensure their survival.
Launched last September, the campaign entitled “It’s cheap and it changes the world” has collected more than 5,000 signatures in total.
The signatory citizens put pen to paper to call on Minister Roberge and the government to act in order to save the six popular education centers in Montreal (CEP).
Forced to sign leases for tens of thousands of dollars in 2017 or risk having to leave their premises in 2018, the six CEPs had entered into an agreement with the Center de services scolaire de Montréal (CSSDM) – then the Commission scolaire de Montréal ( CSDM) – and the Ministry of Education.
This agreement guaranteed funds for the renovation of the buildings, but imposed the payment of rent from the 1is July 2022. Sums too large to assume for these community-oriented establishments.
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Fight to stay alive
“After more than a decade of fighting for our survival, we are now in a hurry”, declared Nicolas Delisle-l’Heureux, during a press briefing held in the Blue Room of the National Assembly, in following the meeting with Minister Roberge.
“In 2017 we were forced to sign a lease on pain of immediate eviction and every year since then we have struggled to be able to pay for electricity and our hot water. It’s absurd!”
We are dozens of people who work in the CEPs to mobilize people to ensure our survival. How can we fulfill our mission of popular education and community organization if we have to fight constantly to stay alive?
Nicolas Delisle-l’Heureux, spokesperson for InterCEP.
Heart of local communities
The MNA for Hochelaga-Maisonneuve, Alexandre Leduc, also present to support the process alongside the Liberal MNA for Viau Frantz Benjamin, recognized the impact of the CEPs and asked Minister Roberge to “save them from the abyss” by offering them sustainable funding to ensure their sustainability.
“The popular education centers do a job that we cannot do without. These are essential living environments for our communities, he said. If Minister Roberge refuses to fund them adequately, their death warrant is signed.”
Asked by Metrothe co-director of the Centre-Sud social committee, Marie-Josée Desrochers, said she was disappointed with the meeting with Minister Roberge, who would have made “no concrete commitment”.
The InterCEP spokesperson also recalled the impact that the closure of education centers would have on their community.
“Yes, in our six establishments, there are CEPs, but we also house many other community organizations on our premises. It is also a place where vulnerable populations come to break their isolation, come to learn, meet people, feed themselves. All this is doomed to disappear if the government does nothing.
I have been taking part in philosophy, art and writing workshops for more than 20 years. My CEP allowed me to get out of the loneliness and the cold when I left the homeless dormitory. It’s also a place where I can be welcomed with warmth and empathy, and where I can share human moments with people who understand me.
Guy Plante, user of the CEP of the Centre-Sud social committee.
What is a popular education center?
The CEPs enable citizens to enroll in non-formal training, as well as to undertake educational and social integration initiatives in order to improve their quality of life.
These community establishments also offer literacy services, computer training, continuing education, reintegration, food, legal consultation, drop-in daycare, support for immigrants, languages, as well as other educational activities. social, artistic and cultural orders to the communities of their sectors.
