Quebec revokes licences for 11 Bedford teachers — Mtl
Quebec’s Education Department revoked the teaching licences of all 11 staff members accused of creating a toxic climate at Bedford Elementary School in mtl. Sonia LeBel said Tuesday that no further details could be released because the teachers are appealing the government’s decision.
The department’s action targets the same 11 teachers who were suspended from the school in Montreal’s Côte-des-Neiges district after a 2024 government investigation found they created a hostile environment. That investigation said they yelled at, humiliated and imposed their religious views on students and staff.
Bedford investigation findings
The 2024 report went further, saying the teachers were allegedly influenced by the local mosque and subjected children to physical and psychological abuse. It described incidents of prayers in the classroom and said some teachers allegedly refused to teach, or paid little attention to, the science and sex education curriculum.
Former premier François Legault said the teachers were trying to “introduce Islamist religious concepts into a public school.” The case later pushed Quebec to strengthen its secularism rules. In 2025, the province adopted legislation extending its ban on religious symbols to all staff who interact with students inside schools, and in 2026 it introduced another secularism law restricting prayer in certain public schools.
LeBel and Setlakwe
LeBel’s comments leave the licence revocation in place while the appeal proceeds. Michelle Setlakwe, the Liberal member of the legislature whose riding includes Bedford school, said at a news conference in Quebec City on Tuesday: “I find it appalling what was done to young girls. I find it appalling that we didn’t provide all the necessary services to students who were vulnerable.... Their (licences) were permanently revoked? Perfect.”
The Bedford case also triggered reviews beyond one school. Quebec investigated 17 other schools over alleged breaches of Bill 21 and found no violations. Two independent administrators later produced an action plan for Bedford with 24 recommendations specific to the school and 10 broader recommendations for the education system.
Quebec appeal file
For the 11 teachers, the department’s decision is the latest step in a case that began with classroom conduct and now extends into provincewide school policy. The appeal keeps the disciplinary file open, but the licences are off the table unless that process changes the outcome.
