Population Surge Near Montreal Strains English Elementary Schools

Growing demand for English-language education is straining resources in the Vaudreuil-Soulanges area, located just west of Montreal. Parents are facing long commutes and overcrowded classrooms as the region’s population has surged from 104,000 residents to approximately 170,000 over the past two decades. This rapid growth has outpaced the availability of English elementary schools, leaving many families struggling to secure spots for their children.

Marissa Leboeuf, a resident of Saint-Zotique, spends significant time preparing her children for school each day, packing toys and books for the lengthy bus ride. Her son, Jaden Mercier, a Grade 3 student at Forest Hill Senior in Saint-Lazare, shares his frustrations. “I get car sick, it’s long,” he explained, noting that the commute can exceed one hour each way. Although the school is only 25 kilometres away, the combination of additional stops and train tracks prolongs the journey.

Leboeuf’s experience is not unique. Across the Vaudreuil-Soulanges area, parents are encountering similar issues as the demand for English-language education rises. “I know that in this school where my kids go, they have a waiting list because they have so many registrations and they can’t take all the kids,” Leboeuf stated. This frustration reflects the broader challenges that families face in securing educational opportunities.

Challenges Amid Population Growth

The Vaudreuil-Soulanges area is one of the fastest-growing regions in Quebec. According to Richard Shearmur, a professor of urban planning at McGill University, many young families are attracted to the area due to its proximity to Montreal and relatively affordable housing. However, this influx poses challenges for essential services, especially education. “There are already schools in some parts of downtown that are losing students. Then you have to rebuild the infrastructure in the suburbs as people move,” Shearmur noted.

The growing population has placed immense pressure on local municipalities, which are responsible for providing land for new schools. Judy Kelley, chairperson of the Lester B. Pearson School Board (LBPSB), confirmed that the board is facing significant capacity issues. “Our schools are very popular and they are full,” Kelley said. With eight elementary schools across nine locations in the region, the school board is actively seeking creative solutions to accommodate the increasing number of students.

Solutions on the Horizon

To address overcrowding, the LBPSB has received provincial approval to implement portable classrooms in some schools within the region. Kelley emphasized that these are not the traditional portable classrooms of the past, but rather “quite beautiful spaces” designed to enhance the learning environment. The portable classrooms are expected to be operational in the next school year, providing immediate relief for overcrowded facilities.

Plans are also underway for a new elementary school in Saint-Polycarpe, which currently lacks any English-language education facilities. In 2021, Quebec’s Education Ministry authorized the LBPSB to construct a 21-classroom school to serve the local population. Kelley noted that the school would benefit not only Saint-Polycarpe but also surrounding small towns with English-speaking families.

Despite the authorization, the timeline for the school’s opening remains uncertain. Esther Chouinard, spokesperson for Quebec’s education minister, stated, “To date, the project is on hold and the required investments are still being planned.” The proposed school is designed to accommodate 500 students and will feature shared facilities, including a library and gym.

Local government representatives, such as Marie-Catherine Hamel from the municipality of Saint-Polycarpe, are eager for updates. “Since [the project results] were presented to the public a few months ago, we have been awaiting decisions from the government and the school board,” she said.

For families like Leboeuf’s, the prospect of a new school offers hope. “I don’t know if it’s going to be done before my kids get to sixth grade, but still for the population, it’s great; it’s another school,” she remarked. The anticipated school would be only ten minutes away, significantly improving access to education for residents of Saint-Zotique and the surrounding areas.

As the need for educational infrastructure continues to grow, collaboration between the school board and local municipalities will be crucial in addressing the pressing challenges faced by families in the Vaudreuil-Soulanges region.