Quebec education minister asks for investigation into sexual misconduct in schools

On Tuesday, Quebec's education minister, Bernard Drainville, announced the launch of a "general" investigation into sexual misconduct in schools following multiple denunciations and allegations of sexual misconduct or inappropriate behaviour at the primary and secondary school level.

Drainville told the National Assembly he had asked officials to shed light on "any situation involving behaviour that could reasonably cause students to fear for their physical or psychological safety, including citations brought to the Education Ministry's attention."

The minister was responding to a question fromQubec Solidaire's Ruba Ghazal about alleged sexual assaults of students at Massey-Vanier High School, in Cowansville.

The students and their parents complained to the school's administration and the school board, "but nothing has been done to really protect them," said Ghazal, who isQubec Solidaire's education critic.

Drainville confirmed signing a letter authorizing the investigation which could also include the situation in Cowansville just before entering the legislature.

Ghazal called for a law akin to legislation forCEGEPs and universities to strengthen measures preventing sexual violence.

"It would even be complementary to the work of Quebec's student ombudsman, whom I met recently. He told me that having a legal framework could even assist him in his work. It's complementary, not contradictory," said Ghazal.

In his response, Drainville said regional student ombudsmen will take office next September and will be able to "make dealing with cases of sexual violence in schools a priority."