During the week of August 12‑18, 2026, the Quebec government’s Opération sac à dos program delivered school supply kits to 12,000 students across the province. The distribution, focused on Montreal, aimed to provide essential materials for children from low‑income families as they head back to class.
Anne‑Marie Éthier, a representative of the community organization Regroupement Partage, helped coordinate the effort on the ground. Volunteers from the group set up distribution points in several neighbourhoods, handing out backpacks filled with notebooks, pens, pencils and other basic items required for the new school year.
CBC Montreal Daybreak host Sean Henry reported on the initiative, highlighting the scale of the operation and the number of families reached. He noted that the program’s visibility on local media helped raise awareness of the ongoing need for support among families facing financial hardship.
The Opération sac à dos initiative has been a recurring element of the province’s education support strategy, supplying backpacks of essential school items to thousands of students each year. This year’s rollout continued that tradition, targeting students who would otherwise start school without the necessary tools.
Organizers said the kits were assembled according to a standard list of supplies recommended by the Ministry of Education. The effort was timed to coincide with the start of the academic year, ensuring that recipients could begin classes fully equipped.
Officials involved in the program emphasized that the distribution reflects the province’s broader commitment to educational equity. By providing the supplies directly to families, the initiative seeks to reduce barriers to learning that stem from economic disparity.
The week-long distribution concluded on August 18, with all 12,000 kits handed out. Community partners and volunteers plan to assess the impact of the program and explore ways to expand support for future school years.