Bulletin
A new protocol against violence in our schools 

On September 5,  Education Minister Bernard Drainville presented a protocol that will be implemented in all Quebec schools to better protect staff from violence. The document lays out clear steps to follow before, during, and after a violent incident: securing the premises, intervening quickly, supporting victims, and ensuring systematic follow-up. 

This protocol is the result of extensive consultation with several unions and school partners, including SEU 800. Our involvement in this process had one simple but essential goal: to ensure that no act of violence against school staff is ever tolerated or trivialized. 

A welcome step forward, but one to watch closely 

For our members, this new framework represents progress. Until now, responses to violent situations varied from school to school, creating unacceptable inequalities. With this protocol, the government finally recognizes that the safety of school workers is a collective priority, not something left to chance. 

“The real difference will come down to how it is applied in the field. We have seen guides and protocols before. What truly matters is concrete implementation: staff training, consistency across institutions, and real support for victims,” said Jonathan Côté, member of the C.S. Central Québec unit, who represented UES 800 in the consultation process. 

Change of guard at the ministry 

Just days after the announcement, a cabinet shuffle was confirmed. Sonia LeBel has now taken over as Minister of Education. We hope this change in leadership will not result in setbacks. The safety of our members must remain a top priority, and we will remain vigilant to ensure that the implementation of this protocol does not become an empty promise. 

At UES 800, we welcome this step in the right direction. But we insist: an official document alone is not enough. We will remain present and mobilized to make sure this protocol translates into truly safer workplaces for all school staff.