The Quebec provincial government announced on Wednesday, September 9, that École FACE will be transferred to a new site somewhere on the island of Montreal. The decision has immediately triggered the formation of an organized opposition movement.
École FACE is a publicly funded primary and secondary institution that integrates artistic instruction into its core curriculum. The school serves students across Montreal and is known for its emphasis on visual and performing arts alongside standard academic subjects.
The relocation plan, unveiled by officials of the provincial government, calls for the school to vacate its current premises and occupy a different location within the city. No specific address for the new site was disclosed in the announcement. The move is part of a broader set of measures undertaken by the government, though details of the underlying rationale have not been released.
In response, a coalition of parents, teachers, and community advocates has coalesced to oppose the relocation. Among the leaders of this effort is Violette Cantin, who has publicly expressed concern over the potential disruption to students and the artistic programming that defines the school. Cantin and other members of the opposition have begun organizing meetings and informational sessions to rally support.
Critics of the plan argue that moving the school could jeopardize its established network of local partnerships and diminish access for families who rely on its central location. They also warn that the transition may interfere with the continuity of artistic projects that span multiple school years.
The provincial government has indicated that it will consult with stakeholders as the relocation process moves forward. The opposition movement says it will continue to press for a reconsideration of the decision, emphasizing the importance of preserving the school’s current setting for the benefit of Montreal’s artistic education community.