Don't blame voter apathy this time

Re: “English school board elections will go ahead Nov. 1” (Montreal Gazette, Sept. 22)

The Coalition Avenir Québec government knew a second wave of COVID-19 would coincide with the date elections would have to be held in the anglophone school system, even under Bill 40 rules. It did nothing to provide mailin voting or an electronic system which could have avoided in-person voting. In short, the government did nothing to make us safe so we could exercise our constitutional right to vote.

The 2018 school board elections had already been postponed by the previous Liberal government in order to provide a system that would increase voter participation by replacing or offering an option to in-person voting. Why, amid all of the school board reforms put in place by the CAQ, was this not done?

An additional $5 million is being allotted to protect the French language. How much more is being spent to protect the health of English-speaking Quebecers who want to vote?

If turnout is low for the Nov. 1 elections, don't blame it on voter apathy.

Howard Greenfield, Montreal