Promotion of the ex-director of Saint-Laurent school: Marwah Rizqy angry

Troubled by the controversial promotion of two former administrators of Saint-Laurent high school, Liberal MP Marwah Rizqy asks Minister Drainville to intervene.

• Read also – Sexual assaults: the behavior of basketball coaches endured in silence

• Read also: École Saint-Laurent: the “dignity” of several students compromised

The new assistant director general of the Center de services scolaire de Saint-Hyacinthe is Patrice Brisebois, revealed The Press This morning.

From 2013 to 2020, he was the director of Saint-Laurent school, where three employees who worked with young female basketball players are now facing charges of sexual assault or sexual exploitation.

The director of the Center de services scolaire Marguerite-Bourgeoys, Dominic Bertrand, has also just been appointed strategic advisor to the Ministry of Education.

An administrative investigation by the Ministry of Education revealed that “several indicators concerning inappropriate behavior have accumulated over the years, without being the subject of adequate intervention, which has made it possible to establish a culture detrimental to a basketball program”.

In a press briefing this morning at the National Assembly, the MNA for Saint-Laurent made a strong plea for an outside firm to produce an independent investigation and for these managers to be suspended during the process.

“There are currently two victims. There is a criminal trial. I asked at the time that the school principals involved as well as the DG involved in this story be suspended while the investigation is carried out. And I had also asked that a specialized firm be mandated,” she mentioned.

“Here, the specialized firm, for me, is not the Ministry of Education. With all due respect, it cannot be an official here, from Quebec, who does not have expertise in matters of sexual assault, harassment in the workplace, who can do this type of investigation.

Victim A in this case also confided in M.^me Rizqy.

With his permission, the MP read a message she sent him.

“As a victim of sexual assault perpetrated by school employees and coaches, I am deeply upset by the promotion of Dominique Bertrand and Patrice Brisebois. Dominique Bertrand has witnessed degrading behavior during basketball tournaments. He remained passive. The investigation report, which is not independent, nevertheless indicates that the dignity of the students has been compromised. However, to date, no one has been held responsible or accountable. I receive these nominations like a slap in the face. If the government really cares about the students of sexual assault victims, let it launch an independent investigation. Victims deserve justice. It is time for action to be taken to ensure that such acts never happen again in our schools” – Victim A

The elected representative of Saint-Laurent directly challenges Minister Bernard Drainville.

“It is the government, the Ministry of Education, which must carry out a real investigation to get to the bottom of things. Because there are too many question marks,” she reiterated.

“I hope that Mr. Drainville, today, will understand the voice of the victims, then to say to himself: we have to get to the bottom of things in a serious way. It might also be time for people in Quebec to be a little more accountable. Actions matter, but inactions matter just as much.”