Fall 2018 will be important for our schools! On October 20, parents and other members of the Conseil scolaire francophone de la C.-B. (CSF) in four BC regions will be asked to elect school board trustees who will represent them over the next four years.

Although three trustees have been elected by acclamation (in the electoral areas of Northern BC, Southeastern BC, and the Fraser Valley), elections will be held for four other positions on the CSF board of trustees. These elections will take place in the following areas: Greater Vancouver, South Coast, Vancouver Island South, and Vancouver Island North.

We encourage all CSF members, living in areas where elections will be held, to exercise their right to vote. Maybe it sounds like a cliché to say that “every vote counts,” but this really is the case for the CSF school board elections. In the last elections, held in 2014 :

• In four regions, fewer than 100 people voted;
• Four of the candidates were elected by majorities of less than 20 votes;
• Across the province, a total of 683 people voted.

Have you received your ballot?

All CSF members in regions that are holding elections should have received an electronic ballot by email before September 19. This electronic ballot will make your voice heard.

IMPORTANT : Those who have not received a ballot can contact Ms. Hélène Rivest, by email at   hrivest@csf.bc.ca or by calling 604-214-2636 or 1-888-715-2200.

How can I find out about the candidates before voting?

Although the ballots have already been sent, you have until October 20 to vote -- which gives you time to learn about the people running for trustee in your area.

Many parents’ associations (APÉs) will organize meetings with candidates so that members of the school community can meet them and ask questions.

In addition, you can learn more about what most of the different candidates are proposing by viewing the information they have provided. You’ll find this information on the 2018 CSF school board elections website : https://www.csf.bc.ca/conseil-d-administration/elections-scolaires/candidats-aux-elections-2018/.

Parents tell us why it's important to vote!

The Fédération des parents has just launched a video to promote voting in the CSF school board elections. On the video, parents from different areas in British Columbia say why, in their view, it’s important to vote.

We invite you to watch this short 40-second video, and share it in your network! You’ll find the video at : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ixf13_QDs1k