Jewish School Question in Quebec May Find Solution in Legislative Act

(Jewish Telegraphic Agency)

Peter Bercovitch, K.C., M.L.A., one of the appellants in the Quebec School Question, made his first public utterance on the decision of the Privy Council in regard to the educational position of Jewish children in the Province of Quebec.

That Jewish children had the right to attend Catholic schools and that the Provincial Legislature has the power to amend the legislation with regard to the Council of Public Instruction so as to allow Jewish members to sit on that body, were the two outstanding statements made by Mr. Bercovitch.

According to Mr. Bercovitch, it is clear that as a result of the Privy Council’s decision, the Jewish children have a right to attend Protestant schools in Montreal and even the Catholic schools, should they so desire. And while the Provincial Legislature cannot amend legislation to enable Jews to be appointed on the Protestant School Board, the Legislature can authorize the sitting of Jews on the Council of Public Instruction.

Mr. Bercovitch would not make any comments on what should be the next step of Montreal Jews in this question and neither would he express his opinion on the advisability of establishing separate schools for Jewish children, merely contenting himself with giving his interpretation of the decision of the Privy Council, and an outline of the question since its inception.