WATCH: Montrealers react to school strip-search controversy
MONTREAL — After news that a 15-year-old student suspected of possessing drugs was strip searched last week at her high school, Montrealers weighed in on the school strip-search debate, with many wondering if the action was even legal.
Quebec’s education minister Yves Bolduc, who initially stood by the school’s decision provided it was conducted in a respectful manner, moderated his stance after harsh public criticism, calling for a change to the law.
READ MORE: Quebec’s education minister alters position on school strip-searches
Parents and students alike were outraged, saying the search conducted at Neufchatel High School was unethical and invasive.
One student emphasized the importance of drawing a distinction between adults and minors, saying strip searches violated the fundamental right to privacy, and the law should afford minors special protection.
A mother told Global News that her child was searched at a private high school in Montreal.
She said the issue fizzled out after school authorities broke into the his locker only to find nothing incriminating.
At least in that case, she noted, her son’s bodily integrity was respected. She said she believes that parental consent should be a requirement before any strip search is conducted by a school.
READ MORE: Did a school strip search violate a Quebec student’s civil rights?
Many Montrealers said they also thought the issue became more complex when student safety was at stake.
The majority of people that spoke with Global News on Wednesday said they believed strip searches were legitimate when school authorities had reasonable grounds to believe that a student was hiding a weapon.
WATCH: Reports on the Quebec student strip-search controversy
However, they all agreed that all alternative measures, such as desk, knapsack and pocket searches, ought to be exhausted before resorting to a strip search.
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