Montreal students lead school democracy conference day after federal election

While Canada digests the results of the federal election, over 600 high school students from across Montreal gathered downtown to share their vision for democracy.

The first-ever Rendez-vous Jeunesse sur la Démocratie Scolaire was held today at the Centre Mont-Royal under the theme, the voice of the future.

“I think it’s great,” said Kavi Hussain, Rendez-vous Jeunesse sur la Démocratie Scolaire student committee organizer. “I think getting the youth involved in politics is an amazing way to make sure our future is full of people who are aware and fully interested in what’s going on in their country and their province. We can take what we debate about here outside of this event and get it actually done here, so were able to all provide a voice and actually put it to motion.”

The event, co-organized by students and supported by five Montreal school boards and service centres, brings together both francophone and anglophone students from 75 high schools.

“I just feel like seen and heard and able to speak about things that maybe some other people don’t see but I see on my own and it’s just nice to have different voices and see different people with different opinions,” said Elle Rapkowski, Westmount High School student. 

TStudents took part in workshops, panels and conferences focused on student representation and engagement in school governance.

The initiative was spearheaded by the Table des Directions Générales des Centres de Services et des Commissions Scolaires de l’île de Montréal, with strong support from partners like Élections Québec and the Institut du Nouveau Monde.

“It shows that for one Montreal is bilingual and second of all both English and French can work together in society, in school and everywhere around,” said Sophie Talbot, Centre de Services Scolaire Marguerite-Bourgeoys.

In a powerful show of youth civic engagement, students formally adopted two motions—calling for increased student representation on school governing boards and improved safety in schools—that will be submitted to government authorities.

“Those two motions will be sent to the government afterwards,” said Sandra Becharrani, Rendez-Vous Jeunesse sur la Démocratie Scolaire. “Hopefully we’ll be giving them straight to Quebec, to the ministry of education, saying these are the two motions voted by the 600 students in Montreal coming from three French school boards to English school boards and hopefully they’ll hear their voices.”

Students reflected on the federal election, global politics, discrimination, and making sure students feel safe. Organizers said they were surprised with students’ eagerness to be involved, and that including their voice is vital in society.

“Its an amazing way for people to come together and actually talk about the issues, while discussing it with friends and family, discussing it in a scholastic way is a much better method to get things done,” said Hussain.

Students say while at school board meetings, often discussions go in circles.

There are currently two student representative seats but they are vying to have five – the same amount as parents and faculty.

“I think collaboration is super important, because if we don’t collaborate, the team falls apart, and then we won’t have an organization, we won’t carry out the project, we won’t get anywhere, and it just becomes an obstacle. It’s important to collaborate,” said Talbot.

“We want these young people to know that it’s important for them to get involved in the community, to get involved in politics and to have a voice in society,” said Becharrani. “We want them to be the future, our future voters, they’ll be running for office in a few years, and it’s important that they vote,”