{"id":119576,"date":"2026-09-01T09:00:00","date_gmt":"2026-09-01T13:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lakaymedia.org\/?p=119576"},"modified":"2026-08-07T17:03:56","modified_gmt":"2026-08-07T21:03:56","slug":"profilage-racial-ecole-quoi-faire","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lakaymedia.org\/en\/profilage-racial-ecole-quoi-faire\/","title":{"rendered":"My child is a victim of racial profiling at school: what can I do?"},"content":{"rendered":"

Short answer:<\/strong> You have recourse, and it's free. Start by documenting the facts, then follow the three-step school complaint process that leads to Regional Student Ombudsman<\/strong>. In parallel \u2014 or subsequently \u2014 you can file a complaint for discrimination with the Commission for Human Rights and Youth Rights (CDPDJ)<\/strong>, The child protection services have up to three years to receive your complaint. The law protects you and your child from retaliation. The rest of this guide explains each step, the time limits, and the mistakes to avoid.<\/p>\n

\n

Recognizing racial profiling in schools<\/h2>\n

Racial profiling is the act of treating someone differently\u2014monitoring, punishing, suspecting, or excluding them\u2014because of their skin color, ethnicity, or religion, rather than because of their actual behavior. In schools, this can take many forms: harsher disciplinary sanctions for the same action, targeted searches, comments about origin or accent, exclusion from activities, systematic placement in less demanding classes, or refusing to take reports of racially motivated bullying seriously.<\/p>\n

Profiling is not always intentional. It can result from unconscious bias or unequally applied rules. This does not make it acceptable, however: the Charter of Human Rights and Freedoms prohibits discrimination based on race, colour, and ethnic or national origin, including in schools.<\/p>\n

Two possible options (you can use both)<\/h2>\n

1. The school complaint procedure<\/strong>, This process leads to the National Student Ombudsman and their regional ombudsmen. This recourse aims to correct the situation in the school and improve services. It functions like an ombudsman: the objective is not to find someone to blame, but to resolve the problem and make recommendations to the school.<\/p>\n

2. Filing a discrimination complaint with the CDPDJ.<\/strong> This legal recourse aims to have your rights violated and may lead to redress. It is separate from the school procedure and can be pursued concurrently. (See our dedicated guide on the CDPDJ.)<\/p>\n

The steps of a school complaint, in order<\/h2>\n

The procedure includes at most three steps<\/strong>. We usually start with the first one.<\/p>\n

    \n
  1. \n

    Step 1 \u2014 The person concerned or their immediate superior.<\/strong> First, speak to the person directly involved in the situation (the teacher, supervisor, or principal) or their immediate superior. Clearly explain the problem and what corrective action you expect. The institution has a certain amount of time to respond. 10 days<\/strong> to process the request.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

  2. \n

    Step 2 \u2014 The person in charge of handling complaints.<\/strong> If you are not satisfied with the response, or if the 10-day deadline has not been met, contact the complaints officer at your school service centre (CSS), school board or private educational institution.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

  3. \n

    Step 3 \u2014 The Regional Student Ombudsman.<\/strong> If you remain dissatisfied, you can contact the Regional Student Ombudsman. They are independent and impartial. They will... will assist in the written drafting<\/strong> of your complaint and has 20 business days<\/strong> to review it, investigate, and issue its findings, which may include recommendations to the school or the school board. Then, the National Student Ombudsman has 5 business days<\/strong> to decide whether to examine the case himself; if he does, he has 10 business days<\/strong> Furthermore, to analyze and, if necessary, modify the conclusions.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    Special case \u2014 sexual violence:<\/strong> a report of sexual violence can be made directly to the Regional Student Ombudsman<\/strong>, These cases are handled urgently and confidentially, without going through the first two steps.<\/p>\n

    How to file a school complaint<\/h2>\n
      \n
    • Online form:<\/strong> pne.gouv.qc.ca\/formulaire<\/li>\n
    • You can also choose the communication method that suits you best; the ombudsman will help you formulate the complaint in writing.<\/li>\n
    • The complaint can be filed by the student. Or<\/strong> by his\/her parent.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

      The deadlines and the necessary documents<\/h2>\n
        \n
      • School complaint:<\/strong> Step 1 must be addressed in 10 days<\/strong>; the Regional Protector has 20 business days<\/strong> for its conclusions. There is no strict limitation period like for the CDPDJ, but don't wait: acting quickly facilitates the collection of evidence.<\/li>\n
      • Complaint to the CDPDJ (discrimination):<\/strong> you have three years<\/strong> from the date of the incident. Processing a complaint takes on average 15 months<\/strong>.<\/li>\n
      • Documents to gather and keep:<\/strong>\n
          \n
        • a log of incidents (dates, places, people present, what was said and done);<\/li>\n
        • emails and messages exchanged with the school;<\/li>\n
        • disciplinary notices, report cards or notes in the file;<\/li>\n
        • the names of the witnesses (other students, parents, staff members);<\/li>\n
        • any written evidence of different treatment between your child and other students.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

          Supporting your child during the process<\/h2>\n

          Filing a complaint can take weeks, sometimes months. During this time, your child continues to attend school and is the one experiencing the situation every day. Take the time to explain to them, in age-appropriate language, that what is happening to them is not their fault and that adults are working to correct the situation. Reassure them that filing a complaint is a normal and legitimate action, not something to be ashamed of.<\/p>\n

          Be alert to signs of distress: loss of interest in school, falling grades, sleep problems, withdrawal. If needed, seek professional support\u2014school support staff (psychologist, social worker, psychoeducator) can help, as can community resources. Documenting the impact on your child is also useful for your case, especially if you file a complaint with the Quebec Human Rights and Youth Rights Commission (CDPDJ).<\/p>\n

          Finally, seek out allies. Other parents may have experienced similar situations, and an outside perspective often strengthens a complaint. A community organization can connect you with these resources and provide ongoing support.<\/p>\n

          What not to do<\/h2>\n
            \n
          • Don't keep anything to just speaking.<\/strong> After each meeting or call with the school, send a short summary email ("Following up on our conversation today\u2026"). This creates a dated written record.<\/li>\n
          • Don't skip steps without reason.<\/strong> Except in cases of sexual violence, the procedure is to begin with the school. Skipping ahead to the end can delay the process. However, you can always file a complaint with the CDPDJ (Commission for the Rights and Autonomy of Persons with Disabilities) in parallel.<\/li>\n
          • Don't let the fear of retaliation stop you.<\/strong> The National Student Ombudsman Act protects the student, the parent and anyone accompanying or collaborating against reprisals and threats of reprisals.<\/li>\n
          • Do not underestimate the impact on your child.<\/strong> Take signs of distress seriously (withdrawal, falling grades, refusal to go to school) and seek support for him.<\/li>\n
          • Don't stand alone facing the establishment.<\/strong> You have the right to be accompanied in your dealings, and this often changes the balance of power.<\/li>\n
          • Don't forget the double recourse.<\/strong> The school procedure corrects the situation; the CDPDJ (Commission des droits de la personne et des droits de la jeunesse) recognizes the violation of rights. The two are complementary.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

            LAKAY can assist you<\/h2>\n

            Defending your child before a school can be exhausting, especially in an unfamiliar system or in a language that isn't your own. LAKAY provides free and confidential support to immigrant and racialized families in Repentigny and Lanaudi\u00e8re. We can help you document incidents, draft your communications with the school, understand the three steps involved, complete the Student Ombudsman form, and, if necessary, prepare a complaint to the Quebec Human Rights and Youth Rights Commission (CDPDJ).<\/p>\n

            LAKAY<\/strong>
            \n818 Notre-Dame Street, Suite 202, Repentigny, Quebec
            \nTelephone: 514 532-0484
            \nWebsite: lakaymedia.org
            \nFacebook: facebook.com\/lakayrepentigny<\/p>\n

            Request our rights support service.<\/em><\/p>\n

            \n

            This guide provides general information on the law in force in Quebec. It does not replace legal advice tailored to your specific situation. For advice on a specific case, consult a lawyer or contact LAKAY.<\/em><\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

            Racial profiling at school: how to document the facts, follow the school complaint procedure to the Regional Student Ombudsman and file a complaint with the CDPDJ.<\/p>","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":119636,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"content-type":"","_price":"","_stock":"","_tribe_ticket_header":"","_tribe_default_ticket_provider":"","_tribe_ticket_capacity":"","_ticket_start_date":"","_ticket_end_date":"","_tribe_ticket_show_description":"","_tribe_ticket_show_not_going":false,"_tribe_ticket_use_global_stock":"","_tribe_ticket_global_stock_level":"","_global_stock_mode":"","_global_stock_cap":"","_tribe_rsvp_for_event":"","_tribe_ticket_going_count":"","_tribe_ticket_not_going_count":"","_tribe_tickets_list":"[]","_tribe_ticket_has_attendee_info_fields":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[35],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-119576","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-racisme-profilage-racial"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/lakaymedia.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/119576","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/lakaymedia.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/lakaymedia.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lakaymedia.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lakaymedia.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=119576"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/lakaymedia.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/119576\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":119577,"href":"https:\/\/lakaymedia.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/119576\/revisions\/119577"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lakaymedia.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/119636"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/lakaymedia.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=119576"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lakaymedia.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=119576"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lakaymedia.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=119576"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}