The Quebec provincial government announced on Wednesday that it will relocate École FACE, the publicly funded primary and secondary school with an artistic focus, to a different site on the island of Montreal. The decision, confirmed at a press briefing at 21:06 GMT, has immediately triggered a local opposition movement, with community members and parents organizing to contest the move.
École FACE, known for its curriculum centered on visual and performing arts, serves students from kindergarten through high school. The school’s relocation is part of a broader provincial plan to reorganize educational facilities, though officials have not disclosed the exact new location. The announcement was made by a representative of the Quebec government, who said the move is intended to better utilize existing infrastructure and improve access for a wider range of students.
Opposition to the plan has coalesced around a group of parents, teachers, and local residents who argue that the school’s current site is integral to its artistic mission and community ties. Among the voices leading the resistance is Violette Cantin, a parent and former student of the school, who has called for a public review of the decision. Cantin and other opponents plan to hold meetings, circulate petitions, and seek legal avenues to halt the relocation.
The controversy arrives at a time when Quebec’s education system is undergoing several reforms aimed at modernizing facilities and addressing demographic shifts. Critics of the relocation argue that moving an arts-focused institution could disrupt specialized programs and diminish the cultural vibrancy the school brings to its neighbourhood. Supporters within the provincial administration maintain that the change will ultimately benefit more families and align with long‑term planning objectives.
As the dispute unfolds, the province has indicated it will consider feedback from the community before finalizing the new site. The outcome will determine whether École FACE remains at its historic location or moves to a new campus elsewhere on Montreal Island.