Quebec cuts $13M for school cultural activities

The CAQ is planning to cut at least $13 million in funding for cultural outings and excursions in schools starting in the next academic year.

The Coalition Avenir Québec (CAQ) government is planning to cut a minimum of $13 million in funding for cultural outings and excursions in schools starting in the next academic year, according to an Auditor General of Quebec report published in November 2025.

In its report, the Auditor General of Quebec notes, “Both the Quebec Ministry of Education and the Quebec Ministry of Higher Education stated in their proposals to the [Secrétariat du Conseil trésor] SCT that these measures could have an impact on services to students and on the ability of educational institutions to meet government targets for success and graduation.”

It points to two main “slowdowns” that could affect students directly and educational institutions as a whole.

“Slowing down the rollout of four-year-old kindergarten and halving the funding allocated to the Culture in Schools program and cultural field trips," the Auditor General specifies.

In addition to the $13 million cuts to the culture program for the 2026-2027 year, the report confirms a reduction of $26.5 million for the 2027-2028, 2028-2029 and 2029-2030 academic years.

It notes that “educational and higher education institutions were not informed of the planned reductions for the 2025-2026 fiscal year until the government’s budget was tabled in March 2025.”

“As a result, educational and higher education institutions have still not been informed of the planned cuts that will affect them in 2026-2027 and beyond,” the Auditor General states.

‘Cutting into Quebec’s future’

Wednesday, Quebec solidaire education critic Gabriel Nadeau-Dubois said he was “stunned” by the CAQ’s decision.

“I can’t believe that the CAQ is going to ask children to pay for its mismanagement of public funds,” he said. “Depriving children of access to Quebec culture - have we really come to this in Quebec? The CAQ must come to its senses and commit to protecting funding for school cultural outings.”

• READ MORE: How to mentally prepare your children for back to school

The 35-year-old father of two said he was dismayed that the government had denied his motion to maintain funding for school excursions and cultural activities in its next budget.

“Cutting school cultural outings would be tantamount to cutting into Quebec’s future,” he argued.

As a result, Nadeau-Dubois announced he would be launching a petition and invited Quebecers to sign it before the March 23 deadline.

“School must remain a privileged place for democratic access to culture and developing young people’s cultural consumption habits,” the petition states. “Teachers are asked to organize activities that frequently bring students into contact with culture, both at school and in cultural settings.”

The petition continues that culture promotes student motivation and educational success.

Nadeau-Dubois claims that the education and culture networks were not consulted before the cuts were announced.

• READ MORE: How much is it costing you to equip your child for school?

In addition to hindering the French language and Quebec culture, he says the cuts “will have a significant impact on students, teachers, the quality of education, the cultural ecosystem, the offerings available to citizens and cultural workers.”

So far, more than 2,200 people have signed the petition.

The $13 million in cuts, according to the petition, would amount to an almost 60 per cent decrease in funding for cultural programs in schools.

School board ‘deeply concerned’

Christopher Craig, chairperson of the Council of Commissioners at Riverside School Board on Montreal’s South Shore, calls the cuts deeply concerning and frustrating.

“These activities are essential to student wellbeing, engagement, and belonging, and the impact will be felt directly by our children — especially those who rely on these opportunities to feel seen, inspired and connected," he said, adding that the board’s commitment to students would not change.

“Our dedicated teachers and staff continue to do extraordinary work every day, and we will keep finding creative ways to provide rich, meaningful learning experiences despite these challenges. While this decision is discouraging, our school board remains focused on nurturing, supporting, and empowering every child.”