Eligibility for instruction in English
Who Can Attend English School in Quebec?
To attend an English public school in Quebec, students must meet specific rules set by the government under the Charter of the French Language.
Who Is Eligible?
A child can attend an English school if:
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A parent or sibling has a Certificate of Eligibility for English schooling.
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The child has done most of their schooling in English in Canada.
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A sibling has done most of their schooling in English in Canada.
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A parent did most of their elementary education in English in Canada.
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A parent went to an English school in Quebec after August 26, 1977, and could have been eligible at that time.
In most cases, the parent who studied in English must be a Canadian citizen for their child to qualify.
Once a child is declared eligible, their brothers and sisters can also receive English instruction.
A Certificate of Eligibility for English Instruction is permanent and never expires. Even if a child studies in French, they will still be considered as having studied in English and can pass this right to their own children.
Temporary Eligibility for Non-Permanent Residents
Families who are temporarily living in Quebec for work, school, or diplomatic reasons may qualify for English schooling if:
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A parent has a temporary work permit in Quebec.
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A parent has a temporary study permit in Quebec.
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A parent is a Canadian citizen or permanent resident temporarily working or studying in Quebec.
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A parent has diplomatic status in Quebec.
Important: If granted, this permission is temporary, only valid for the duration of the parent's permit, and not renewable. It does not grant permanent English school eligibility.
For more details, visit the Quebec Ministry of Education's website or contact them directly.
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