Like that controversy, the current one has provided cover for anti-Semitism. But as in the previous case, there is legitimate criticism of the latest agreement with the Jewish schools.

One is that it creates a precedent allowing "ultrareligious" instruction in publicly subsidized "private" schools. Courchesne replies that religious instruction is already allowed in private schools. Then why was it necessary to change the regulation for the Jewish ones?

Another criticism is that the government negotiated changes in the law with schools that had been violating it for as many as "nearly 50 years," according to the minister's spokesperson.

The Jewish schools had been willing to accept the same public subsidies as other "private" schools, but had refused to teach the curriculum required of all Quebec schools, private as well as public.

One can hardly blame them. Successive governments, PQ as well as Liberal, had tolerated their flouting of the law by allowing them to continue to collect public funds and keep their certifications.

At least Courchesne has finally put an end to that irregular situation. But she could have achieved that objective by using the leverage she had and threatening to cut their subsidies. Why did she feel she had to negotiate with lawbreakers instead?

© Montreal Gazette 2010