Quebec school staff report 30,000 violent acts, seek $28M

Quebec school support staff say schools recorded nearly 30,000 acts of violence last year and are asking the new Parti Québécois government for an additional $28 million, starting this fall.

The figure comes from a report by the Federation of School Support Staff, based on data from 47 school service centres and school boards. About eight years ago, roughly 2,500 incidents were reported, the federation said.

“This is urgent in Quebec,” federation president Éric Pronovost said Monday at a news conference in Quebec City. “It’s clear there is a real increase, a real trend.”

Pronovost said staff in elementary schools face punches, bites and thrown objects and are being encouraged to buy protective gear such as arm and leg guards. “We don’t need goalies in Quebec,” he said. In high schools, he said, the violence is more insidious and includes sexual violence and threats against staff and their families.

Heidi Yetman, president of the Quebec Provincial Association of Teachers, said the real rate is probably higher than the data show because reporting is inconsistent. Matt Wilson, president of the Pearson Teachers’ Union, said prevention guides have been produced but need to be more tangible.

Education Minister Joël Arseneau said in a statement Monday that the situation is deeply concerning and that school violence is one of the government’s five priorities. He said he asked for all related data as a priority soon after taking office, met school service centre directors Monday and will meet union members soon.

The unions’ request follows last week’s announcement that the new government would add $28 million to tackle homelessness. The PQ has also promised a forum on education within its first 100 days, which the government has said will take the form of états généraux in early 2027. The federation is also calling for more staff to be hired.

Source: CTV News Montreal, with files from The Canadian Press. The federation’s report was not independently reviewed by Canada News Media.

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