Australian Experts Advocate for Ontario’s Education Model Over Quebec

A recent report by Australian educational researchers has cast a critical eye on Quebec’s education system, suggesting that Ontario’s model is a more effective approach. Authors Tom Greenwell and Chris Bonnor, who were part of an Australian delegation that visited Canada in October 2024, argue that Quebec’s system is nearly as dysfunctional as Australia’s own.

Their findings are detailed in the report titled Lessons from Canada: An Equitable Education System Is Possible. The researchers highlighted Ontario’s inclusive model, which features free public schools that do not select students, contrasting it with Quebec’s “three-tier” system that includes regular public, selective public, and private schools. According to Greenwell, the delegation recognized parallels between their challenges in Australia and those in Quebec.

During a telephone interview from Canberra, Greenwell stated, “We were struck by Quebec because all our problems were reflected back at us.” He pointed out that tracking and segregation within the Quebec system mirrors issues present in Australia, particularly regarding the concentration of disadvantaged students in regular classes. The report underscores that such segregation can significantly hinder educational outcomes, stating, “The Quebec system lets a large number of young people down.”

Segregation’s Detrimental Effects

Greenwell emphasized the adverse effects of segregation on both teachers and students, asserting that students perform better in diverse classrooms. He noted the urgent need for reforms, describing the current framework as harmful to the educational landscape.

The report does recognize a positive development in Quebec, citing a proposal from the citizen movement L’École ensemble. This initiative aims to unify public and private schools into a common network that is accessible to all students, irrespective of their academic performance or family income.

In February 2025, the political party Québec solidaire introduced Bill 895, which would require private schools that wish to receive public funding to cease selecting students based on academic criteria. The bill also seeks to ensure that special programs are available to all students and eliminates any form of selection processes. L’École ensemble estimates that the creation of a common network could yield long-term savings of $100 million annually.

Stéphane Vigneault, coordinator of L’École ensemble, expressed pride in the report’s endorsement of their proposals. He hopes the findings will foster discussions that lead to substantive change, particularly with the upcoming elections. “We have a solution that is pragmatic and innovative. Our goal is to see it included in political platforms,” he said.

Criticism from FEEP

In response to the report, the Fédération des établissements d’enseignement privés (FEEP) expressed disappointment over not being consulted during the research. FEEP president David Bowles defended Quebec’s education system, arguing that the ability for parents to choose schools contributes to its strength.

Bowles highlighted that Quebec’s students perform well on international assessments, noting that the province has the smallest gap between high- and low-performing students. He also cited improvements in private schools, which now accept 20 percent of students with learning difficulties, a significant increase from just 5 percent a few years ago.

As the debate over educational equity continues, the report serves as a catalyst for discussions about the future of Quebec’s education system, raising important questions about access and quality in schooling. This report was originally published by the Canadian Press in French on August 23, 2025.