Report School Bullying in Montréal - City Rules

Education Quebec 4 Minutes Read · published February 11, 2026 Flag of Quebec

In Montréal, Quebec, students and guardians who witness or experience bullying at school should know how to report incidents, what school authorities must do, and where to seek follow-up. Schools in Montréal operate under Quebec education law and local schoolboard policies that set duties for principals, intervention steps, and disciplinary options. This guide explains practical reporting steps, who enforces rules, typical sanctions, and how to appeal decisions so you can act quickly and with confidence.

Who is responsible

Primary responsibility for responding to bullying in schools lies with the school principal and the local school board; the provincial Education Act provides the legal framework and duties for schools and boards.Official text of the Education Act[1]

Start by telling a teacher or the school principal as soon as possible.

How to report an incident

Report directly to the school office or the designated staff member for student services. Many Montréal school boards publish instructions and local complaint forms on their sites; check your schoolboard's anti-bullying page for the exact steps.Centre de services scolaire de Montréal - anti-intimidation and contacts[2]

  • Contact the school office by phone or in person to report an incident.
  • Complete any local incident or complaint form your schoolboard provides; keep a copy.
  • Collect evidence: dates, times, witnesses, screenshots, and any messages.
  • Ask for written confirmation that the report was received and for the name of the staff responsible for follow-up.
If someone is in immediate danger, call emergency services right away.

Penalties & Enforcement

Disciplinary measures for bullying in Montréal schools are set out by the schoolboard policies and the provincial Education Act; monetary fines are not typically imposed on students by school authorities. For statutory authority and general powers of school authorities see the Education Act.Education Act reference[1]

  • Fines: not specified on the cited page for student conduct; schools generally use non-monetary sanctions.
  • Escalation: initial interventions, behaviour contracts, suspension, and possible expulsion according to board policy; exact escalation ranges are not specified on the cited pages.
  • Non-monetary sanctions: warnings, removal from class activities, suspension, referral to support services, or long-term exclusion as set by the board.
  • Enforcer: the school principal and the schoolboard's student services or by-law/discipline office handle investigation and sanctions; see your schoolboard's reporting page for contacts.CSSDM contacts[2]
  • Appeals and review: decisions by a principal are typically reviewable by the schoolboard; time limits for appeals are set by the board or policy and are not specified on the cited pages.
  • Defences/discretion: school authorities may consider context, student age, disability or other mitigating factors; specific permitted defences are not itemized on the cited pages.
School boards must balance safety, education needs and procedural fairness when deciding sanctions.

Applications & Forms

Many Montréal schoolboards provide incident or complaint forms online; where a specific form is required, its name and submission method will be listed on the board's site. If a published form is not found, report directly to the school office and request written confirmation of the report.CSSDM reporting and forms[2]

Action steps for students and guardians

  • Report the incident promptly to the school principal or designated staff.
  • Keep a written log with dates, witnesses and copies of messages or screenshots.
  • Request a copy of the board's policy on bullying and any incident report you file.
  • If not satisfied with the school's response, ask about the board appeal procedure and timelines.
Documenting dates and witnesses makes investigations more effective.

FAQ

Who can I tell about bullying at school?
Tell any teacher, the school principal, or the guidance/student services office; you may also contact the schoolboard's complaint office directly.
Will the school keep my report confidential?
Schools aim to protect privacy but may need to share information with staff or authorities involved in the investigation; check the board's privacy or disclosure rules.
Can the city or police issue fines for school bullying?
Police may become involved if a criminal offence is alleged; municipal fines are not the usual mechanism for student discipline in schools.

How-To

  1. Tell a trusted adult at school immediately and ask to make a formal report.
  2. Complete any incident form provided by the school or schoolboard and keep a copy.
  3. Gather evidence: screenshots, messages, witness names and dates.
  4. Request written confirmation of the report and the name of the staff responsible for follow-up.
  5. If unresolved, request the board's review or appeal and follow the board's stated timeline.

Key Takeaways

  • Report quickly to the school and keep a written record.
  • Use your schoolboard's published process and contacts for formal complaints.
  • Appeals go to the schoolboard; statutory details are in provincial education law.

Help and Support / Resources

  1. [1] LegisQuébec - Loi sur l'instruction publique (Education Act)
  2. [2] Centre de services scolaire de Montréal - official anti-intimidation and contact pages
  3. [3] Ministère de l'Éducation et de l'Enseignement supérieur - official guidance for schools and parents

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