Today was supposed to be a school day for Clea Guerin, but instead, the 26-year-old teacher spent her time preparing to move back to France. “(I’m) sad, shocked and disappointed about Quebec,” she told CTV News. “I gave all my life to go here.” Guerin has a master’s degree in education and has been teaching in Quebec for two years under a permit for young professionals. In August, she was set to begin a new job at Montessori School in Lasalle as a kindergarten teacher. The day before she was to begin, she received word from the federal government that her immigration application was rejected. She says the reason stated was that the province hadn’t chosen her for a Quebec Selection Certificate (CSQ). “I was really surprised,” she said, especially due to a shortage of school staff. In late August, the CAQ government confirmed there were around 4,800 vacant positions in the education sector, including 1,500 teachers. At the time, Education Minister Bernard Drainville said, “We still have challenges and we are working to fulfill a maximum of jobs possible because we want to offer our kids the best back to school period.” As of Sept. 2, there were 3,742 vacant posts, including 1,263 teachers. The administration at Montessori School was also stunned by the decision. “We had to work hard day and night, to be honest, to find someone to replace her,” says French Vice-Principal Marjorie Lacroix. The school says that while it had to find a last-second solution for the 25 kindergarteners it is holding out hope the government reverses course for Guerin, describing her as “an ideal candidate.” Lacroix called the rejection “very disappointing,” adding, “We do not understand exactly why (she wasn’t accepted).” Guerin hired an immigration lawyer, and part of her application fees were paid by the school. However, she says she’s already spent her savings on trying to stay in Quebec and to prepare for the move back home. She says back in France, she’ll likely have to start from the bottom and with the necessary bureaucracy, will only be a full teacher again in two years’ time. “I have to start a new life in France,” she said. She was given 90 days to return to France, which, barring a reversal, she plans to do at the end of September.
