Vanier College Students to debate the proposed Québec Charter of Values

Aiming to give students a voice about their future and the possible impact on their lives of the proposed Québec Charter of Values, Vanier College will hold a Student Panel on the pros and cons of the proposed Charter on Thursday, November 7th, from 1:00 to 2:30 pm in the Auditorium (A-103). The student panelists will represent the major viewpoints for and against the Charter and will be moderated by CBC’s Nancy Wood.

Vanier College - the most culturally diverse Cegep in Québec With more than 6,500 students representing close to 90 nationalities, Vanier College is the most culturally diverse Cegep in Quebec. With such a varied student body, it’s important that students are given opportunities to express their views and explore the implications of legal changes like the proposed Charter that could affect their future.

Health Care programs At Vanier, students in many programs could be touched if the Charter passes in its current form. Students in health care programs such as Nursing and Respiratory and Anaesthesia Technology not only worry about their future employment possibilities and conditions but also about being able to complete their current Cegep studies which require internships in Montreal hospitals and rehabilitation centres.

Impact on internships and future employment The impact extends as well to students in programs such as Special Care Counselling and Early Childhood Education whose field studies and internships take them into various public sector social service providers such as schools, youth protection services, social agencies, Centres de la Petite Enfance and nurseries.

Internships with public institutions Even students in programs like Architectural Technology, Building Systems Engineering Technology or Environmental and Wildlife Management could be affected by the proposed Charter since they also often intern with various public institutions or municipal government departments.

An eye-opening debate With so much at stake for young people, this Student Panel on the proposed Québec Charter of Values is sure to be an interesting, eye-opening and thought-provoking event.