Quebec's Bill 94: Volunteers Sidelined, Schools Struggle

0:00Quebec's Bill 94 is shaking of schools on Montreal's South Shore, banning religious symbols for volunteers and support staff, plus face, coverings for students. Adopted on October 30, its hitting parent helpers hard in places like the Riverside School Board where folks have poured years into classrooms and events. The law ramps up the province's secularism push, and school boards got direct word from the Education Ministry that it's already in effect. Volunteers say it's cutting into activities that lean on parent backup, especially with schools already tight after $30 million in summer. Budget slashes. Parents wearing turbans or other faith symbols feel sideline and discriminated against, like they're suddenly not welcome after a decade of service. One dad was first told no to his kids winter carnival, but got a reversal. Noting turnout was so low they'd have just one helper without him. Numbers paying a rough picture. Last year, one school had 70 to 80 volunteers, but this bill could wipe out a third.

1:01Helpers argue they're patching holes from those cuts, and now doors of slamming on that free labor. Beyond volunteering, families worry it'll mess with kids' sense of belonging in Quebec, teaching them their look might limit their spot in society. Schools can't run smooth without this support, leaving everyone picking up the slack. That's your update from Canada News Today, powered by AI. I'm Corey with The Story.