Around 18,000 primary and secondary school students are expected to attend the Montreal Book Fair on the first three days of the event, November 22nd, 23rd and 24th. These dates coincide with the additional strike days recently announced by the Joint Trade Union Front and the Autonomous Education Federation (FAE). There is therefore a risk that these performances will be canceled, as will others in youth theaters.
Published at 1:09 am. Updated at 6:00 am.
The Montreal Book Fair has been in complete uncertainty for several days. Last Monday, the Joint Trade Union Front, which brings together 420,000 workers in the public and parastatal sectors, including teachers, announced that it would strike again from November 21-23. Last week it was the FAE and the 65,000 teachers it represents who announced their intention to launch an indefinite general strike from November 23rd.
Will the conflict between the government and its employees be resolved before these dates? Olivier Gougeon, general director of the Montreal Book Fair, hopes so.
PHOTO MARTIN TREMBLAY, LA PRESSE ARCHIVE
Olivier Gougeon, general director of the Montreal Book Fair
It is our duty to find ways and do everything we can to ensure that the 18,000 young people in primary and secondary schools find a way despite strikes: with their parents, with accompanying persons, etc.
Olivier Gougeon, general director of the Montreal Book Fair
Almost 70% of the students expected at the book fair during the week come from public schools, which could cancel their attendance in the event of a strike. The few rejections received were initially replaced by other school groups, although private schools are not affected by the labor dispute.
The event organization is currently exploring various options so that these young people can still benefit from this very popular annual meeting. “We are talking to the striking schools and suggesting that they give the children the tickets,” says Olivier Gougeon, for example, who invites parents and grandparents to accompany the children to the book fair.
The possibility of granting free entry to the accompanying adult is also being examined. “We will do everything we can to facilitate the admission of these parents or their accompanying persons,” he emphasizes.
Despite the threat of strikes, the team has decided not to change its program. “The only activities that would be canceled would be those in collaboration with schools,” notes Olivier Gougeon.
PHOTO YAN DOUBLET, LE SOLEIL ARCHIVE
The puppet play Furioso was performed last year at the Les Gros Becs theater in Quebec.
Theater performances canceled
The book fair is not the only one suffering from the effects of the strike. At the Maison Théâtre, a venue exclusively dedicated to young audiences, the new play 176 Pas, which will be performed from November 15th to 25th, will be affected in the event of a strike.
Seven school performances of this puppet theater, written by Fanny Britt and with music by Ariane Moffatt, are on the calendar during the mobilization week. If the strike days actually take place, only two of these performances will be maintained, reveals Isabelle Boisclair, general director of the Maison Théâtre. The participating students come from private institutions.
In Beloeil, L’Arrière Scène also plans to cancel a performance of the show Coucou in connection with the strike, says its artistic director Jean-François Guilbault.
“Every day of strike will result in performances being canceled,” said Jean-Philippe Joubert, general director and co-artistic director of the youth theater Les Gros Becs in Quebec. Will we be able to move these students to another location during the season so they can have a cultural experience? Nothing is less certain as our intake capacity is limited over a season. »
Fewer trips
Beyond the strike days, the effects of the teachers’ pressure tactics have been felt in the youth culture sector since the beginning of the year. In particular, FAE members were instructed not to organize cultural excursions if this was not part of their duties.
PHOTO PATRICE LAROCHE, LE SOLEIL ARCHIVE
Jean-Philippe Joubert, general director and co-artistic director of the youth theater Les Gros Becs
The FAE’s position is very damaging to students’ access to culture.
Jean-Philippe Joubert, general director and co-artistic director of the youth theater Les Gros Becs
At Théâtre Les Gros Becs, school reservations this season are only 64% of usual numbers. Tickets are also available at the Maison Théâtre. “Compared to this time last year, we had bought a lot more tickets,” emphasizes Isabelle Boisclair.
“We have seen since the beginning of the year that there have been fewer outings,” confirms Sylvain Martel, president of the Regroupement des Committees de Parents Nationaux du Québec, who finds it regrettable that young people are being punished in this way. “Hopefully we can reschedule these trips once the conflict is resolved. »
Impact on artists
Schools are very important partners for producers of plays for young audiences. “School performance can account for up to 70% of what you achieve in a year,” illustrates Isabelle Boisclair.
PHOTO ROBERT SKINNER, LA PRESSE ARCHIVE
Isabelle Boisclair, general director of the Maison Théâtre, with artistic director Sophie Labelle
Although she is “in solidarity with the demands of teachers,” she is concerned about the impact a prolonged strike could have on artists.
When asked about this issue, the Conseil des arts et des lettres du Québec would like to reassure. “We will gain an overview of the situation in the coming weeks, which will enable us to make appropriate decisions. Our goal will then be to do everything possible to ensure that we limit the impact of this situation on the financial health of the affected organizations,” said Honorine Youmbissi, Director of Communications and Promotion of the Arts and Letters, via email .