$8.9M
spent on Juristes Power in 2024–25 alone (~7.7% of operating expenses)
Created by parents of CSF students
Millions spent in court.Students suffering.
We support expanding French-language education in B.C. — but never-ending legal fights must not come at the expense of today’s students.
−8.1%
CSF enrolment from 2021–22 to 2025–26 (6,400 → 5,879)
$3.4M · 2028
the operating deficit that the ministry requires to be cleared by June 30, 2028
Today’s students and schools should come first…
In 2024–25, legal payments (~$8.9M) were nearly 28% of teacher salaries — roughly $1 in legal fees for every $4 paid to teachers.
See the legal case and the costs →Enrolment is falling at existing schools, while we spend huge amounts to fight for new schools.
The district is losing students every year. It is hard to justify millions in court for new facilities while current schools — like Victor-Brodeur (−32%) — fall behind.
See enrolment trends →“Mismanagement of financial resources, notably the continued funding of costly legal proceedings at the expense of essential student services and staff support.”
SEPF — letter to the Minister of Education, 8 October 2025
A $3.4M deficit due by June 2028 on top of growing legal bills means less for today’s students.
Under the School Act, school boards generally may not run an accumulated operating deficit without ministerial approval. On 13 March 2026 the Ministry approved CSF’s ~$3.4M deficit on condition it is eliminated by 30 June 2028, with quarterly monitoring. How does CSF clear that hole if legal spending stays open-ended?
What we are asking for
Stop paying legal fees from the operating budget. If CSF wants to continue the legal fight, find outside funding.
Put those dollars back into today’s students: instruction, services, existing schools.
Provide a public online presentation — with Juristes Power Law participating — on the history of the case, where the money has gone, why the fight continues, and what the goals are.
Publish a clear plan to retire the ministry-approved $3.4M deficit by 2028 — a deficit boards are not normally allowed to carry.
Who we are
This site was created by concerned parents of CSF students. We are not the school board and not the Ministry. We want strong classrooms and a growing francophone network — not an operating budget drained by never-ending legal battles.
FAQ
Are you against French schools or section 23?
No. We support expanding access to French education in B.C. We oppose funding open-ended litigation from student operating funds.
What exactly are you asking for?
Stop funding open-ended litigation from the operating budget; put the money back into classrooms; a public online presentation with Juristes Power; and a clear plan to retire the deficit by 2028. If CSF continues in court, find outside funding.
Isn’t the appeal necessary?
Major rights have already been recognized. Returns are diminishing while bills rise — and the Ministry requires deficit retirement by 2028.
Who runs this site?
Concerned parents of CSF students — not the Board, not the Ministry.