Parents had right to receive presentation in English after all: Quebec Education Ministry

English-speaking parents of children with learning difficulties who were denied an English information session last week were entitled to havethe presentation in a language other than French, Quebec's Education Ministry says.

The clarification comes after parents and the interim leader of the Quebec Liberal Party decried the additional barrier to seekinginformation about educational programs for children.

Theonline meeting on April 11 was specifically for a group of parents whose children are attending English-language schools. During the meeting,two public servants said the ministry told themthey weren't allowed to present in English under Quebec's new language law, Bill 96. However, the slides of the presentation were written in English.

Sara Hossaini, whose son is autistic, was one of the parents in attendance. She said in an interview that being refused anEnglish presentation was "discriminatory" andmade her feel excluded.

Thursday, a spokesperson for the Education Ministry said in an email to CBC News that in exceptional situations, the Charter of the French Language allows government officials to communicate in a language other than FrenchQuebec's official language.

Calling the incident "a mistake," Education Minister Bernard Drainvilletold reporters Thursday that presentation should have been delivered in English.

"The rules were misunderstood," he said.

Asked whether the ministry would offer the parents the information session again in English, Drainvillesaid doing so would be a "good idea."

"We will ask the people who made the presentation to prepare a presentation in English and to offer it to the parents who want it and who need it," he said.

Liberal MNA Andr Fortin said Thursday ensuring that government employeesunderstand the law is the "very basis" of government responsibility.

"The government of Quebec has introduced legislation that its own government officials do not fully understand," he said, questioning how Quebec could expectcivilians tounderstand the law.

Fortin said he hopes the government will learn from this case because "there are real repercussions to parents who did not deserve to go to a meeting that they did not understand a single word of."