Quebec Education Minister Joël Arseneau did not mince words after an investigation was opened concerning children allegedly put in lockers by staff at an elementary school on Montreal’s North Shore. Blainville Police confirmed that an investigation has been opened in collaboration with Youth Protection (DPJ). Police would not provide the ages or the number of children involved, nor would they say how many staff members were involved. Arseneau said he was informed of “the unacceptable practice” at the Mille-Îles School Services Centre. “The intervention methods used with students must meet recognized best practices and respect their safety, dignity and particular needs,” he said on X. “Under no circumstances should students be confined in lockers.” He added that the ministry has contacted authorities to shed more light on the situation. “We are in contact with the relevant authorities to better understand what happened,” Arseneau said. “We will take the necessary steps to shed full light on these practices, which we find highly problematic.” Liberal (PLQ) education critic Marc Tanguay said he was “shocked” by the reports. “As a father, I’m shocked to read and to listen to what happened in this school,” said Tanguay. “I think that is unacceptable in 2026 in Quebec, those kinds of practices.” He said he was reassured that police and youth protection agents were looking into the situation. “We are looking forward to have the full light of what happens in this case,” he said. “The minister has a responsibility today to inquire and to know what are the practices in place, not only there but everywhere in the schools, because we see that the teachers and all the people forming the team for the schools are under pressure, but now what are the practices that are in place?” The Mille-Îles School Services Centre said it could not reveal which school was being investigated at the moment.
