F.A.C.E. students again protest proposed sale of downtown Montreal school
Posted April 17, 2025 1:08 pm.
Montreal students at a downtown school hit the sidewalks before hitting the books Thursday morning.
Students at F.A.C.E. protested outside their school, voicing their opposition to the Quebec government’s plan to sell the building instead of renovating it.
BACKGROUND: F.A.C.E. School students, parents condemn Quebec plan to sell building
At least one student could be seen waving a large Quebec flag, while others provided musical accompaniment to the rally by way of trumpets and drums.
Posters are lining the fence outside the school. “The F.A.C.E. spirit is not for sale,” reads one. “We love our school,” reads another.
The Quebec Ministry of Education says it scrapped planned renovations due to rising costs – an initial $150 million price tag ballooned to an estimated $375 million.
As a result, approximately 1,300 students from kindergarten to Grade 11 will be permanently relocated to two different locations beginning next school year: École Christophe Colomb and École Saint-Urbain.
Some parents and students consider those schools, which are currently being renovated, a step down from F.A.C.E. because they lack certain programs.
The English Montreal School Board says it was blindsided by the decision to sell the building instead of renovating it, claiming the province did not consult school-board officials.
A petition by students and parents at the National Assembly has garnered 8,419 signatures; their goal is 10,000 signatures by May 21.
–With files from Tehosterihens Deer
