Letters: What if we assigned schools double duty?

Montreal Gazette

23-05-2025

In the late 1960s, the West Island was experiencing rapid growth, leading to a shortage of space in high schools.
Before Pierrefonds Community High School opened in 1971, many students attended Villa Nova in Pointe-Claire, which operated on a double-shift system — whereby two groups of students are accommodated each day, the first from morning until midday, the second from midday to late afternoon.
Both groups received around five hours of teaching per day, as mandated by the Education Act. If memory serves: from 7:45 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., and from 1 p.m. to 5:45 p.m.
This structure allows schools to efficiently utilize their facilities, including classrooms, laboratories and recreational areas, ensuring they serve a larger number of students without the need for additional infrastructure.
I see no reason today why this type of teaching and learning environment cannot succeed at a time when the government is under pressure to build new schools and renovate existing ones.
Chris Eustace, Pierrefonds
Shine a light on spending
Thank you to Catherine Fournier, the courageous mayor of Longueuil, for daring to question the incredibly high cost of infrastructure projects in Quebec.
There can be no doubt that $1 million to install a traffic light is completely unreasonable and unacceptable.
Something must be done because our roads are crumbling, hospitals are inadequate to meet the needs of the population, and cuts in the education system threaten catastrophe in our schools.
It is time to hold our government accountable for where money is being spent.
Sandra Sterling, Snowdon
Heed U.S. lesson and vote
I agree wholeheartedly with my fellow citizen, who challenged Americans to stop apologizing and do something in the 2026 midterm elections.
The U.S. has basically ignored Canada and looked down on Mexico as a reservoir of cheap labour, failing to recognize either country as an invaluable friend and ally.
It's sad that U.S. voters are often being painted with one brush, but they have only themselves to blame.
We Canadians should take a hint and be sure to vote in our elections at all levels. By not voting, we are relinquishing our right to have a say in our government.
If you don't feel that your priorities are being met by any of the parties, suck it up and choose the one you think will do the least damage.
Get involved with a party that might be open to your values, or form your own party with like-minded citizens.
Do whatever you can to protect our democracy, and don't leave it up to someone else.
Iris Shestowsky, Montreal
Stunning antics in the Oval Office
There are many negative adjectives used to describe Donald Trump.
However, having just watched Wednesday's televised Oval Office meeting between Trump and South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, no words can describe the embarrassment all Americans should feel at having this man represent them on the world stage.
Michael Green, Côte-St-Luc
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