Marsan to head education committee

Robert Baldwin MNA Pierre Marsan was given the nod Thursday by Premier Jean Charest to head the Committee on Education for the opening of Quebec’s 39th legislature. “We will study different bills the Minister of Education (Michelle Courchesne) would like to pass,” Marsan said. “We also discuss issues like the youth dropout rate and see what can we do to help.”

He added they will also review the network of universities, CEGEP and school boards for different aspects, such as accountability. “We will also listen to different community organizations,” Marsan said, adding they will, in the end, send their recommendations to the education minister.

The committee is made up of 4-5 Liberal MNAs plus three members from the opposition parties.

As chairman of the committee, Marsan will have to convene the committee, chair meetings, as well as ensure compliance with regulations and maintain order and decorum.

In the National Assembly during last week’s special session, Marsan said he was pleased the members of the newly formed committee gave him their confidence to organize, lead and participate in the Committee’s work. "This election represents for me a great challenge. It is a fundamental role to ensure the smooth conduct of parliamentary business.”