Quebec will investigate 17 schools after reports of violations of secularism

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MONTREAL — Quebec Education Minister Bernard Drainville says his department will investigate complaints involving 17 schools in the province alleging disrespect for state secularism.

“Complaints and reports have been brought to the attention of the (Education Department) regarding issues relating to non-compliance with secular obligations,” the Education Department said in a statement. “Many citizens have answered the call to inform the government of any situation where behavior contrary to the values ​​of Quebec society is observed.”

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Questions surrounding religious neutrality in schools have been raised since the release last month of a Ministry of Education report on a Montreal school where media reports had revealed questionable religious practices and a toxic climate. A government investigation found that a ‘dominant clan’ imposed strict, autocratic rule over students at the Bedford school.

The investigation found that the teachers, who were allegedly influenced by the local mosque, physically and psychologically abused children. There were prayer incidents in the classroom and some teachers reportedly refused to teach – or paid little attention to – the science and sex education curriculum.

Eleven teachers – a mix of men and women – were described as part of a ‘dominant clan’ at the school. They have been suspended with pay and their teaching licenses suspended pending a full investigation.

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Of the schools mentioned Thursday, three in Montreal were already the subject of audits announced last month. The 17 schools all fall under the French system, including 11 in and around Montreal, three in Quebec City, one in Gatineau and two in the Saguenay region north of the capital.

The Ministry of Education said the information it has received about the 17 institutions relates to alleged violations of the four principles of the province’s secularism law, known as Bill 21.

These principles include the separation of church and state, the religious neutrality of the state, the equality of all citizens and the freedom of conscience and religion. The release does not mention specific allegations against any of the schools.

Drainville said in a statement that the 17 audits to be conducted by his department should be completed by January 17, 2025. He also told Radio-Canada that other schools not on the list, mainly in Montreal, will also be monitored.

“We cannot allow people who behave unacceptably or whose motivations are driven by ideologies or personal beliefs to interfere in our schools,” Drainville said in a statement.

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“In light of the information we will receive, all solutions will be on the table to strengthen the place of secularism and ensure that the education passed on to our children respects Quebec’s pedagogical system and values.”

Following the Bedford school controversy, Prime Minister Francois Legault tasked Drainville and Minister of Secularism Jean-Francois Roberge to come up with solutions to prevent religion from creeping into classrooms. In the meantime, the government has written to all school service centers in Quebec – which replaced the French school boards in the province in 2020 – to remind them of their obligations to secularism and respect for religious neutrality.

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