Despite measures taken by François Legault’s government in recent years, violence against school support staff is continuing to rise, according to two unions. A survey of some 6,000 members of the Fédération des employées et employés de services publics (FEESP-CSN) shows that 52 per cent of workers have experienced physical violence. In 2022, that figure was 37 per cent, according to a similar survey by the Institut national de santé publique du Québec (INSPQ). According to the FEESP, the attacks are mainly perpetrated by students, but to a lesser extent, by parents, colleagues and members of management. In addition to attacks with objects, the union says members have been faced with shouting, foul language, death threats and sexual gestures. It notes that the vast majority of survey respondents are women. More than 700 people have reported receiving death threats, and 247 have had their private parts touched, according to the survey. This is a completely unacceptable situation, according to Annie Charland, FEESP president for the school sector, acknowledging that the Legault government rolled out a plan in 2023 to prevent violence and bullying in schools and introduced a theme week this year. A protocol to standardize practices for preventing and responding to violence was also created. However, “it doesn’t change much,” says Charland, who notes she herself has been hit, spat on and called all sorts of names. “Being told, ‘You’re ugly, you’re stupid,’ is one thing. But being told that every day becomes psychologically difficult,” she explains. Of the 6,000 employees who responded to the survey, 26 per cent admitted they are considering leaving their jobs. The figure from 2022 by the INSPQ was 19 per cent. The Centrale des syndicats du Québec (CSQ) says it believes the FEESP’s observation that the situation is worsening. “Regardless of the job category, whether it’s support staff, professionals, or teachers, all the internal figures are on the rise,” said CSQ President Éric Gingras. “Everyone now thinks it’s serious and that we need to deal with it. However, the problem we have is that it goes beyond the school walls. It’s a societal problem.” In the short term, the unions are asking the government to include the education sector in its Bill 101, An Act to improve certain labour laws. They argue that this would increase occupational health and safety protection for all employees in the education system. – This report by The Canadian Press was first published in French on Oct. 21, 2025.
