Quebec schools are safe, insists education minister
Quebec students are not in danger, Bernard Drainville insisted Wednesday.
The province's education minister was responding to a question from Liberal MNA Marwah Rizqy, who had just reported an increase in violence in schools.
In particular, she mentioned the case of a teenager who was recently attacked with a hammer on the grounds of a high school in Montreal North.
According to the MNA, last year, school service centres in Quebec reported twice as many violent acts as in 2018-2019, before the pandemic.
In addition, the workplace health and safety board (CNESST) received about twice as many claims from school staff, she said.
Due to these circumstances, the Quebec Liberal Party (QLP) is asking the province's culture and education commission to take on a mandate to consult with experts.
The Liberal interim leader Marc Tanguay stood up in the legislature to cite the example of a mother in Beauport, Quebec, who withdrew her daughter from elementary school because she felt unsafe.
"I find it unbelievable that with his question, the leader of the official opposition is encouraging parents to homeschool," said Premier François Legault in response.
Drainville later added to Legault's comments, saying he didn't want "this idea that sending our child to school is putting them in danger" to take hold.
"School, for the very, very, very large majority, is safe for their child,'' he said.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published in French on Feb. 1, 2023
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
RCMP uncovers plot to sell drones and equipment to Libya
The RCMP says it has uncovered a plot by two men in Montreal to sell Chinese drones and military equipment to Libya illegally.
Demonstrators kicked out of Ontario legislature for disruption after failed keffiyeh vote
A group of demonstrators were kicked out of the legislature after a second NDP motion calling for unanimous consent to reverse a ban on the keffiyeh failed to pass.
Tom Mulcair: Park littered with trash after 'pilot project' is perfect symbol of Trudeau governance
Former NDP leader Tom Mulcair says that what's happening now in a trash-littered federal park in Quebec is a perfect metaphor for how the Trudeau government runs things.
BREAKING Man wanted in connection with deadly shooting in Toronto tops list of most wanted fugitives in Canada
A 35-year-old man wanted in connection with the murder of Toronto resident 29-year-old Sharmar Powell-Flowers nine months ago has topped the list of the BOLO program’s 25 most wanted fugitives across Canada, police announced Tuesday.
Doctors ask Liberal government to reconsider capital gains tax change
The Canadian Medical Association is asking the federal government to reconsider its proposed changes to capital gains taxation, arguing it will affect doctors' retirement savings.
Keeping these exotic pets is 'cruel' and 'dangerous,' Canadian animal advocates say
Canadian pet owners are finding companionship beyond dogs and cats. Tigers, alligators, scorpions and tarantulas are among some of the exotic pets they are keeping in private homes, which pose risks to public safety and animal welfare, advocates say.
Thieves use stolen forklift to rip cash machine out of U.K. bank
Police in the U.K. are searching for a group of suspects seen on video using a forklift to steal a cash machine from a bank.
'There was a lot of black smoke': Crane operator sounds alarm while trapped during highrise fire in Halifax
A tower crane operator alerted emergency crews after noticing a fire on a construction site in Halifax Tuesday morning.
Cherry blossoms blooming in Canada: Here's what to know
There is a swaying sea of colour in some cities across Canada, and it's a sure sign of spring: cherry blossoms are in bloom.