Halloween cancelled in some Quebec City schools as part of teacher pressure tactics

Some schools in the Quebec City region have decided to cancel Halloween celebrations this year due to teachers' unions ongoing work-to-rule-campaign.

At one elementary school, cole de la Chanterelle in Val-Blair, situated north of Quebec City, parents received a newsletter on Wednesday asking them not to dress up their children in a costume.

"Due to ongoing negotiations, we must inform you that Halloween will not be celebrated on Friday, Oct. 30., therefore costumes will not be accepted in class," the document read.

School administrators refused to comment.

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Denis Simard, the president of the teachers' union for the Quebec City region (CSQ), said the decision to suspend Halloween festivities was notsent out as a directive to the entire union.

"I don't know how many schools will participate, I've heard of eight or nine."

The province and its teachers are in the middle of negotiations to reach a new collective agreement.

Teachers have been without a contract since April.

In many school boards across Quebec, teachers have voted in favour of pressure tactics including rotating strikes and stopping extra-curricular activities to protest against changes to their working conditions.

In a statement,Education Minister Franois Blais said the disputeshould be settled at the negotiating table, not on the backs of students.

But Simard saidit's unfair to say teachers are taking students hostage in the negotiation process, because he believes the government is responsible for increasing workloads.

"We want smaller classrooms and more services more students, and it's the government who is refusing. This is what parents and the population should be outraged about."

Simard said it takes time to organize activities like Halloween parties, and the government should recognize that.

Parents, children disappointed

Some school board officials are questioning how this pressure tactic will help negotiations move forward.

"Halloween is meant to be celebrated with friends. Kids are happy to show their costumes," said Manon Robitaille, president of the Commission scolaire de la Capitale.

Sonia Letourneau said her five-year-old daughter, Nomie, was disappointed to find out she wouldn't be wearing her Elsa costume for her first Halloween at school.

"They should focus on other measures. This is a special day for kids. I was really upset to hear the news," Letourneau said.

Teachers in the Quebec City and Chaudires-Appalaches region also announced they'll be using one of their rotating strike days on Oct. 27.

To see the strike dates announced so far of other schools in Quebec: Quebec teacher strikes: A breakdown of planned strike dates