QUEBEC CITY — In 2012, Quebec passed its first anti-bullying law, forcing schools to take action.
Two years later, 200 people have gathered in Quebec City to say bullying is still rampant.
READ MORE: Quebec police arrest 2 teens after allegations of school bus bullying
Even at the highest political level.
On Thursday, Premier Philippe Couillard called his health minister Gaétan Barrette to order for bullying his predecessor Réjean Hébert.
Ironically, Couillard had to do this at the government’s anti-bullying forum.
“The political debate is not helped or enhanced by attacking the other person.”
The Premier hinted he could extend the anti-bullying law to other fields, such as construction or elderly care.
“Intimidation is a very big part of what older adults live when they’re being mistreated, so if that gets put on the table, great!” said Sarita Israel from the CSSS Cavendish elder abuse help line, which has received 17,000 calls since 2010.
The problem is, there are no new funds. The Liberals are trying to return to a balanced budget. The party has suspended a million-dollar anti-homophobia advertising campaign, also putting a gender-equality campaign on the back burner.
This decision doesn’t sit well with anti-homophobia spokesperson, Jasmin Roy.
“In schools right now, one of the biggest problems is homophobia.”
Over at the English School Boards Association, anti-bullying budgets have remained intact.
READ MORE: How are Montreal-area schools helping students to deal with bullying?
“We have programs like Second Steps, peer mediation going on in schools,” said President David D’Aoust.
“You’re never going to be able to say it’s like wiping the table clean, it’s over with and done with.”
“This is something we’re going to live with all our lives but we can’t let it go by unchecked.”
As groups wait for better funding, Sarita Israel argued the way forward is coordination and consistency. This takes leadership, she said.
“What we’re trying to do right now is to make sure the government is saying, ‘Yes, this is what we need to do,’ versus, ‘It’s a choice.'”
READ MORE: 12-year-old’s figure skating future ends after she reports bullying
The government has launched a public consultation where Quebecers can have their say and contribute to the discussion.
If you would like to take part, visit www.intimidation.gouv.qc.ca. The survey runs until November 30, after which the government could table a new bill.
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