06/19/2026
Dear Parents,
As I sit down to write this message for the 50th issue of the EPCA newsletter, I find myself reflecting on a journey that has been both challenging and incredibly rewarding.
Six years ago, I accepted the role of President of the English Parents’ Committee Association of Quebec with a commitment to ensuring that parents had a strong voice in education. What I could never have imagined was that just one month later, our world would change overnight.
The COVID-19 pandemic transformed every aspect of our lives. Schools closed; classes moved online; parents became teachers, support workers, and technology trouble-shooters, all while navigating unprecedented uncertainty. During this time, EPCA became a lifeline for families. We listened, advocated, shared information, and worked tirelessly to ensure that parents’ concerns were heard by decision-makers.
Since then, the pace has never slowed.
Over the past six years, I have had the privilege of speaking with hundreds of parents from every corner of Quebec. I have listened to stories of triumph and frustration, hope and concern. Parents have shared their experiences navigating special education services, language rights, mental health challenges, school governance, digital technology, bullying, transportation, staffing shortages, and so much more. These conversations have shaped our priorities and strengthened our resolve. They have reminded me time and again that parents are among the most important partners in a child’s education.
The educational landscape has also undergone significant change. Since 2020, families have witnessed major legislative reforms that have reshaped our system. From Bill 40, which fundamentally altered school governance, to Bill 96 and its impact on Quebec’s English-speaking community, to numerous other legislative and policy changes affecting education, EPCA has worked diligently to ensure that parents’ perspectives were represented. We have prepared briefs, appeared before parliamentary commissions, met with ministers and elected officials, and collaborated with partners to ensure that the voices of families remained part of the conversation.
None of this work happens in isolation.
I am incredibly proud of the relationships we have built with our partners across both the English and French education sectors. While our communities may face different realities at times, we share a common goal: creating the best possible educational environment for our children. By working together, we have been able to advance important conversations about student success, mental health, digital citizenship, parental engagement, and educational equity.
I am equally proud of the dedicated volunteers who serve on the EPCA Board of Directors. While much of their work happens behind the scenes, their contributions are invaluable. They review documents, attend meetings, participate in consultations, support advocacy efforts, organize events, and bring forward the concerns of parents from their communities. Their commitment, expertise, and countless volunteer hours make EPCA’s work possible. They are the quiet force behind many of the initiatives, resources, and successes that parents see throughout the year.
Looking back over fifty newsletters, I am struck by how much has changed and how much has remained constant. Through every challenge, every policy debate, every consultation, and every campaign, our mission has stayed the same: to inform, support, and advocate for parents.
I am proud of what we have accomplished together. I am proud that EPCA has become a trusted voice for families. I am proud of the partnerships we have forged, the issues we have elevated, and the countless parents who have reached out to us knowing they would be heard.
Most importantly, I am proud of the parent community itself. Your willingness to engage, to ask questions, to speak up, and to advocate for your children continues to inspire us every day.
As we celebrate this milestone 50th issue, I want to thank every parent, volunteer, partner, educator, and supporter who has been part of this journey. The work continues, but together we have shown what is possible when parents have a seat at the table and a voice that is heard.
Here’s to the next chapter!
Katherine Korakakis
President EPCA
View Website
https://epcaquebec.org/50-issues-later-a-reflection-on-advocacy-partnership-and-the-power-of-parents/
View PDF
https://epcaquebec.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/EPCA-NEWSLETTER-VOL.-50-Final.pdf
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