Discrimination and racism in Quebec schools: Montreal non-profit releases data

The LaSalle Multicultural Resource Center (LMRC), a non-profit organization in Montreal, is hosting a conference to reveal the results of a research study examining Quebec’s school practices.

The center says the results pulled from the complied data “unmask the exclusionary school practices that impact the school success and trajectory of Black Anglophone and Francophone youths in the Quebec school system.”

The two-year study found that black youths in Quebec were often placed into special groups, subject to racially hostile environments and biased practices. 

“The research is titled Changing Black Youth’s Future,” said co-researcher Gloria Ann Cozier. “We are looking at trying to explore that whole system, the practice of Quebec school, and to look at some solutions so that we can make changes for the future of our children.”  

The research study was started in 2021 and funded by the Department of Canadian Heritage, Anti-Racism Action Program. 

Principal researcher Dr. Lerona D. Lewis and Cozier examined how Quebec school practices negatively impact the experience of English-speaking and French-speaking Black students. The pair found there were systemic exclusionary school practices, streaming Black youths into special education classes; police presence, a racially hostile environment, and biased practices adversely impacted Black students’ educational and career trajectories. 

“They are streamlined into the segregated classes where, you know, they have to go to welcome classes,” said Cozier. “And during that time, they are not able to participate in the general curriculum of the schools.”

Cozier explains that many times, Black students will be separated from their classmates because they fail to comprehend or to grasp French quickly.

Then, there’s the issue of classes for new students who come in at 14 or 15 years-old, she adds.

These classes are often scheduled to coincide with the regular stamp of school activities, which she states can have lasting consequences down the line. 

“Black youths are already marginalized,” Cozier adds. “To have to actually experience this in the school system is very, very difficult for them.”

“In terms of their trajectory or career, it is really bad.”

The LMRC research data will be presented in conjunction with those from the Institute for Research and Education on Race Relations (IRERR). They conducted an online survey and community forums on racial profiling in education, and literature review research done by an educational advisor and intercultural relations CSDM.

“We’re hoping that our ministers and people in decision making are not school boards anymore,” said Cozier. “But the school center services would be able to hear us.” 

It begins with the government collecting the proper data, adds Cozier.

According to Reseau Reussite Montreal, Quebec has one of the highest school dropout rates in Canada at 14.9 per cent. What statistics can’t say is what number within that percentage accounts for Black students.

“Race-based data is needed,” said Cozier. “If we are really thinking of making any real change, any sustainable change, then we need to start with that.”