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Anglophones have sent a clear signal to the CAQ government, with Ortona stating: “They appreciate that the board is actively advocating for the rights of the English-speaking community.”
Published Nov 03, 2024 • Last updated 6 hours ago • 4 minute read
Joe Ortona, who has been a vocal critic of Premier François Legault’s government on issues such as secularism and French language policies, celebrated his decisive re-election as chair of the English Montreal School Board at a St-Léonard community hall on Sunday, Nov. 3, 2024. He shared a heartfelt embrace with Paula Kilian, who also secured re-election as an EMSB commissioner. Photo by John Kenney /Montreal Gazette
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Joe Ortona, a familiar voice in the battle against Premier François Legault’s regulations concerning secularism and the French language, was emphatically re-elected as chair of the English Montreal School Board on Sunday in a stunning show of support.
Ortona’s team achieved a clean sweep in all 10 commissioner races, underscoring strong backing for their agenda.
He garnered a remarkable 13,289 votes, effectively doubling the 4,674 votes received by his opponent, Katherine Korakakis.
The EMSB promptly released the results on its website early Monday morning, cementing their electoral success.
Since 2020, Ortona has held the position of EMSB chair, leading the board in advocacy for English-speaking communities. Korakakis, a prominent figure as the president of the English Parents’ Committee Association of Quebec, ran an active campaign alongside her slate of candidates.
In total, elections were hosted across all nine of Quebec’s English-language school boards, yet many positions were filled without contest due to a lack of candidates.
The EMSB stands out as Quebec’s largest English board, noted for being the only board where every role – the chair and all 10 commissioners – was actively contested.
“It’s very humbling to be given such an important mandate,” Ortona remarked to The Gazette following his victory, highlighting the significance of their achievement. “Winning every seat signifies that every area, community, and district in our territory supported us. While I’m thrilled, it’s clear that the real work lies ahead.”
Ortona identified several priorities for his leadership team, including enhancing school infrastructure and resources, refining language programs, and persistently challenging the Quebec government in court.
These legal battles, he asserted, have been pivotal in earning the voters’ trust. “Our community recognized that we spent the last four years standing up for them, and they desire to see us continue that fight,” he explained.
Today, the electorate delivered a resoundingly strong message to Legault’s Coalition Avenir Québec government, Ortona highlighted, reflecting a clear sentiment among the community.
“The community demonstrated they value the existence of the school boards. They’re pleased with the board’s willingness to advocate for the rights of the English-speaking population,” Ortona added emphatically. “They want our schools to respect English, free from unreasonable limits regarding the use of English or mandatory French within school board communications.”
However, he voiced skepticism about whether the CAQ would heed this message. “They may well choose to disregard it, but the community’s sentiment has been articulated loudly and clearly nonetheless.”
Though an official turnout rate is yet to be confirmed, the EMSB has approximately 81,000 to 82,000 voters on its electoral list, suggesting a turnout of around 22 percent.
Historically, English boards have enjoyed higher voter turnout compared to their now-abolished French counterparts. In the 2014 elections, only 21 percent of eligible voters participated in the EMSB election, starkly contrasting with a meager 4.9 percent for French boards.
Ortona’s campaign received a significant endorsement before the elections, showcased by a letter from several prominent community leaders supporting him.
Signatories included MP Anthony Housefather, Côte-St-Luc Mayor Mitchell Brownstein, Town of Mount Royal Mayor Peter Malouf, four Montreal city councillors, and Geoffrey Chambers, a former president of the Quebec Community Groups Network. In their letter, the supporters described Ortona as a “strong, experienced, and principled leader” committed to advocating fearlessly for the community against laws and policies perceived as threats to their future.
Conversely, in a video shared on her Facebook page the day before the election, Korakakis raised concerns regarding the endorsement, suggesting that Ortona’s political affiliations compromised his impartiality and ability to effectively represent the interests of students.
“Will he prioritize the voices of students, teachers, or parents, or will he instead cater to the political agendas of his political allies?” she questioned publicly.
Although early results remain unavailable for the other five English boards holding elections, only the Sir Wilfred Laurier School Board, which encompasses Laval, Lanaudière, and the Laurentians, had a contested chair position along with two commissioner positions.
Meanwhile, at the Lester B. Pearson School Board, which serves southwestern Montreal and parts of the western island, chair Judith Kelley re-assumed her position without contest, while three commissioner seats were up for election.
English-speaking community leaders have consistently emphasized the necessity of high voter turnout on Nov. 3 to ensure the preservation of institutions, which they denote as vital to the ongoing survival of the English-speaking community. The CAQ has pursued efforts to dissolve English boards since 2020, following the dismantling of French boards and moving towards governmental control of school service centers.
The English boards, including the EMSB, have initiated court actions, asserting their right to control and self-manage their school system. The EMSB achieved a significant victory in the Quebec Superior Court; however, the Quebec government is appealing, with the dispute anticipated to ascend to the Supreme Court of Canada.
In addition, EMSB is engaged in a court challenge against the CAQ’s controversial secularism law, Bill 21, which forbids numerous government employees, including new educators, from donning religious symbols such as the Muslim hijab.
Furthermore, the EMSB has taken legal actions to contest certain elements of the CAQ’s recent language laws overhaul. Ortona contends that mandating English school boards to communicate solely in French when engaging with other English-speaking organizations is unconstitutional.
Legault once characterized the board under Ortona’s leadership as a “radical group,” primarily due to its adamant stance against Quebec’s language policies.
Local school boards conduct their elections under provincial regulations supervised by Elections Quebec. Returning officers manage the dissemination of results. However, the election night results are preliminary, with official tallies to follow subsequently, as stated by Elections Quebec.
A four-day timeline exists for requesting a judicial recount. Following the expiration of this period, returning officers can officially proclaim the election results, according to the provincial election agency.
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Team Joe Ortona
**Interview with Joe Ortona, Chair of the English Montreal School Board**
**Interviewer:** Joe, congratulations on your decisive re-election as Chair of the English Montreal School Board. How does it feel to have received such overwhelming support from the community?
**Joe Ortona:** Thank you! It’s deeply humbling to receive this level of support. Winning all 10 commissioner races is not just a personal victory; it signifies that our entire community is behind our shared mission. It shows that the residents of St-Léonard and beyond value the advocacy for their rights and the presence of a strong English education system.
**Interviewer:** Your team’s clean sweep sends a strong message to the CAQ government. What specifically do you believe the community is signaling with this result?
**Joe Ortona:** The community is sending a clear message that they appreciate our dedication to defending their rights. They want their voices heard and want assurance that their educational institutions respect the English language without unreasonable limitations. It’s a call for respect toward English-speaking communities in Quebec.
**Interviewer:** You’ve been a vocal critic of Premier François Legault’s government on issues like secularism and language policies. How do you plan to continue that fight during your new term?
**Joe Ortona:** Our priorities remain clear: we need to enhance school infrastructure and resources, improve language programs, and continue our legal challenges against the government. These battles are not just about policy; they are about safeguarding our community’s future. The past four years have shown our community that we stand up for them, and they expect us to continue that fight.
**Interviewer:** Speaking of legal actions, can you elaborate on the court challenges the EMSB is involved in?
**Joe Ortona:** Certainly. We are currently challenging the CAQ’s Bill 21, which unfairly restricts religious symbols for many public employees, including educators. Additionally, we are contesting the recent changes to language laws that impose constraints on English school boards. These legal actions are pivotal for our community’s right to manage our own educational affairs.
**Interviewer:** Your opponent, Katherine Korakakis, raised concerns about potential conflicts of interest given your political endorsements. How do you respond to these critiques?
**Joe Ortona:** I believe in being transparent and accountable to our community. While I value the support of prominent leaders, my priority is always the voices of students and parents. I have a proven track record of advocating for our community, and that will not change.
**Interviewer:** Lastly, what are you hoping to achieve in your new term that will resonate with the English-speaking community?
**Joe Ortona:** My goal is to ensure that our schools not only maintain their integrity but also thrive. We want to provide a robust English education that respects our culture and rights. It’s crucial that we enhance our institutions, protect our community’s interests, and remain a strong voice against any policy that threatens our existence. The journey ahead will require hard work, but I’m optimistic and dedicated to this cause.
