Quebec Prime Minister Assures ‘confessional Education’ for Jewish Children

The Hon. Daniel Johnson, Prime Minister of Quebec, in an address given in Montreal, last night at a dinner of the Allied Jewish Community Services marking its Golden Jubilee, indicated that the Government of Quebec is adhering to the policy that “the grant follows the child” and will introduce legislation, which would give effect to this policy so that Jewish children will have an opportunity to get “confessional education.” He said that it would not be “this year,” as the Government was preoccupied with the problem of institutes and colleges.

The address of the Premier emphasized that “he will not condone the notion that there are first and second class citizens in the Province” and that “a Quebecer of Jewish descent need not deny what he stands for in order to be a good citizen. Not only does a Quebecer of Jewish descent not have to reject his heritage, but he is a good Quebecer because he has not denied his ancestral roots.”

The Premier said that he was pursuing the idea of having a Human Rights Charter, guaranteeing the basic rights for all citizens enshrined in the Constitution, both as far as Canada as a whole is concerned and “internally” in Quebec and that “everything that touches on the fundamental liberties and dignity of the human person must be clearly defined and protected by the constitution.” He urged Jewish community participation in the work of the Constitution Committee of Quebec.

Referring to the situation in Israel, the Premier gave expression to his full sympathy for the people of Israel, assuring that Quebec was prepared to be helpful to the utmost. Over 600 community leaders attended the banquet which was presided over by Jacob Lowy, president of the AJCS with Monroe Abbey serving as master of ceremonies. Samuel Bronfman, honorary president of the AJCS, urged the Jewish community to support the special emergency campaign for Israel which is now underway.