Growing needs, declining staff numbers, and school maintenance are major concerns for unions in the education sector

At a press briefing held today near École primaire des Cavaliers, education union representatives painted a worrying picture of the situation in the Outaouais region. Despite sustained growth in the student population and increasingly complex needs within schools, funding for services is struggling to keep pace at the Draveurs and Portages-de-l’Outaouais school service centres, as well as at the Western Québec School Board.

“Students need increased support, and school teams continue to demonstrate remarkable commitment, but the data clearly show that resources are not keeping up with evolving needs,” union spokespersons stated.

Growing needs among students with special needs (HDAA)

 All three school organizations are experiencing a steady increase in student numbers. Data also show a significant rise in the number of students with disabilities or adjustment or learning difficulties (known in French as HDAA).

At the Draveurs school service centre, there were 5,132 HDAA students in 2025–2026, compared to 4,841 four years earlier. Although the number of HDAA students decreased slightly at the Portages-de-l’Outaouais school service centre in 2025–2026, it remains high, with 4,789 students requiring specialized services. At the Western Québec School Board, the number of students with special needs (HDAA) rose from 2,341 to 2,650 between 2021–2022 and 2025–2026, an increase of more than 13%.

 Fewer staff to meet needs

 While needs are rising, the number of support staff and direct student service personnel is shrinking across several organizations. Hiring freezes are hampering the efforts of school boards and centres to address this issue.

“At a time when student needs are increasing, the reduction in human resources raises serious concerns about the system’s ability to provide the required services to all students.”

Aging schools

 The condition of school infrastructure is also a major issue. At the CSS des Draveurs, buildings have an average age of 49 years and require $4.5 million in maintenance investment. At the CSS des Portages-de-l’Outaouais, needs are even greater, reaching $59.1 million for facilities with an average age of 43 years. At the Western Québec School Board, buildings have an average age of 54 years, and asset maintenance needs are estimated at $40.6 million.

A call to invest in education

 For unions, these figures demonstrate the need for increased investment to adequately meet student needs and support the staff working in schools every day. They hope the next government will have the courage to bring about profound change in education—a process that requires extensive, collaborative reflection among all stakeholders.

Spokespersons emphasize that educational success relies on fully staffed teams, services tailored to the most vulnerable students, and school facilities that are safe, functional, and well-maintained.

Quotes

 “Needs in our schools keep rising while resources dwindle. The government must give schools the means to provide services that meet the public’s expectations.” – Heidi Yetman, President of APEQ 

“Support staff are at the heart of the services provided to students. When staffing levels are cut despite growing needs, it is the students who suffer the consequences.” – Éric Pronovost, President of the SSSF-CSQ

 “The data presented today clearly demonstrate that the challenges are very real. Investing in education is not an expense; it is a societal choice that warrants serious collective reflection.” – Valérie Fontaine, Vice-President of the CSQ

 “With the exodus of professionals, parents have no choice but to turn to the private sector to meet their child’s needs.” – Rémi Fortin, Vice-President of the FPPE-CSQ