A Montreal elementary school is at the centre of a secularism debate. Here’s how we got here Provincial politicians accused of pouncing on religion for political gain

October 22, 2024   

(CBC) In the last few weeks, an elementary school in Montreal’s west-central Côte-des-Neiges neighbourhood has been mired in controversy.

This past weekend, 11 teachers were suspended for allegedly creating a toxic environment for students and staff that goes back to 2016. On Tuesday, their teaching licences were also suspended.

The allegations are the subject of a 90-page government report.

Since the suspensions were announced, many provincial politicians have weighed in on the issue, including the premier of Quebec. The conversation about the safety and well-being of students has evolved into a wider discussion about religion in public institutions and the province’s secularism law, commonly referred to as Bill 21.

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