The decisions were currently under appeal, the ministry added, declining to comment further.<\/p>\n
A climate of intimidation<\/p>\n
A damning report published in 2024 described a toxic environment at the school in the C\u00f4te-des-Neiges neighborhood. A clique of teachers, which the report described as being \u201cprimarily composed of teachers of North African descent,\u201d had created a climate of intimidation toward both students and other teachers who opposed their methods, according to the document.<\/p>\n
The report showed troubling facts about actions and behaviours that raise concerns about the physical and psychological safety of students at the C\u00f4te-des-Neiges\u00a0school, including physical and psychological abuse of students and staff, like yelling, humiliation, intimidation, insubordination and incivilities.<\/p>\n
Girls were barred from playing soccer, children on the autism spectrum did not receive specialized services, and science and sex education were taught little or not at all.<\/p>\n
\u201cFor me, it\u2019s a rather serious verdict,\u201d said Abdel Ghani, a C\u00f4te-des-Neiges resident. \u201cBut what can you do? It\u2019s meant to send a really strong warning to others.\u201d<\/p>\n
Another resident, David, questioned how the situation was allowed to continue for so long.<\/p>\n
\u201cEleven is insane,\u201d he said. \u201cYou would expect better screening.\u201d<\/p>\n
The then-Minister of Education, Bernard Drainville, had implemented corrective measures at the school in October 2024 and ordered investigations at several other schools in Quebec. Eleven teachers had been suspended, and their teaching certificates revoked.<\/p>\n
The following year, Drainville had Bill 94 passed, aimed at strengthening secularism in the Quebec school system.<\/p>\n
The law stipulates that students must attend school with their faces uncovered, as must virtually all school staff. The use of French at school is also mandatory when staff communicate with students or when colleagues speak to one another.<\/p>\n
\u2018A good outcome\u2019<\/p>\n
Mont-Royal\u2013Outremont MNA Michelle Setlakwe reacted to the revocation of teachers\u2019 licences and called it \u201ca good outcome.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI think it\u2019s a good thing and in terms of protect thing our children, I\u2019m satisfied,\u201d Setlakwe said. \u201cWe don\u2019t want these teachers around our children, we don\u2019t that kind of behaviour in our schools, whether it be Bedford or elsewhere.\u201d<\/p>\n
Setlakwe also said what happened at the school represented \u201ca setback.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cReligion has no business in our schools,\u201d she added. \u201cAnd what happened in Bedford was terrible on so many levels because it was harming children.\u201d<\/p>\n
Quebec association of parents\u2019 committees (RCPAQ) said the outcome was anticipated.<\/p>\n
\u201cAs a parents\u2019 association, we have expressed our concerns regarding this matter in several forums, including during the parliamentary consultations on Bill 94,\u201d said Sylvain Martel, a spokesperson for RCPAQ.<\/p>\n
Some parents in the neighbourhood say the revelations have shaken their confidence in the school system.<\/p>\n
\u201cAs a parent, it\u2019s very alarming,\u201d said Kathleen Balazuela, who lives in C\u00f4te-des-Neiges. \u201cI\u2019m actually looking into moving from this neighborhood after hearing that.\u201d<\/p>\n
Josi Antonio, whose eight-year-old son attends the school, said he feels more reassured now that changes have been implemented.<\/p>\n
\u201cI feel better because now my kid won\u2019t have more problems with the teachers and everything is better,\u201d he said. \u201cThe security is better.\u201d<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/canada\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Image-2026-05-12T112057.327-1024x768.jpg\")
CSSDM says the 11 suspended teachers at Bedford elementary school in C\u00f4te-des-Neiges, whose licences were revoked have been replaced. (Lola Kalder, CityNews)<\/p>\n
Improvements made<\/p>\n
Kathyln Morel, deputy director general of the Centre de services scolaire de Montr\u00e9al (CSSDM), said the findings of the investigative committee\u2019s report came a shock.<\/p>\n
\u201cAs soon as the administration noticed that certain behaviors might still be occurring in the school, they initiated the necessary procedures with the Human Resources department and then followed up to make the required corrections,\u201d Morel said.<\/p>\n
Morel said the school board developed an action plan to ensure the school\u2019s curriculum was in compliance. School psychologists and pedagogy experts were brought on to improve the environment for students and teachers.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe plan really included a whole section dedicated to teachers\u2019 classroom management,\u201d Morel explained. \u201cWe trained and supported our teachers in classroom management to help students feel comfortable and happy. And as you can see in the report, there\u2019s a clear consensus among school staff that students are currently happy to come to school, and that Bedford School is a great place to be.\u201d<\/p>\n
Morel added that the 11 teachers have already been replaced as of the beginning of the year.<\/p>\n
The episode at Bedford has also triggered changes at 185 other schools under CSSDM, Morel said.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere really was a culture of silence,\u201d she said. \u201cWe didn\u2019t wait to identify shortcomings in other schools.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWe didn\u2019t wait to see shortcomings in other schools; instead, we took the measures implemented at Bedford School and extended them to all 185 schools in our school board,\u201d Morel added.<\/p>\n
CSSDM has implemented hotlines that parents with concerns can use to contact the school administration. <\/p>\n
\u201cIf they are still not satisfied with the response, there is a complaint resolution process with teams that can address and resolve\u2014or facilitate the resolution of\u2014the issues between the parent and the school,\u201d Morel said.<\/p>\n
\u2014 With files from The Canadian Press<\/p>\n
\t\t\t\t\t![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/canada\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Image-2026-05-12T110601.769-1024x768.jpg\")
\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n
\t\t\t\tBedford elementary school in Montreal’s C\u00f4te-des-Neiges\u00a0neighbourhood on May 12, 2026. (Lola Kalder, CityNews) <\/p>\n
\t\tKeep it Factual<\/p>\n
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