Pubdate: Thu, 19 Feb 2015
Source: Record, The (Kitchener, CN ON)
Copyright: 2015 Metroland Media Group Ltd.
Contact:  http://www.therecord.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/225
Author: Jocelyne Richer
Page: A3

QUEBEC REVIEWING STRIP-SEARCH POLICIES

Quebec Education Minister Yves Bolduc says he wants to tighten the
rules surrounding the controversial practice of strip searches of
students in high schools in the province.

Bolduc said Wednesday that he's ordered an independent expert to look
into two such cases recently in Quebec - one in the provincial capital
that has caused waves this week and another in the Beauce region.

Just one day earlier, Bolduc had said the practice was legal and
therefore authorized, to the extent that it was conducted in a manner
that was "very respectful" to the student.

Bolduc said in the legislature Tuesday that a strip search is
permitted under "strict" guidelines and in a "respectful" manner when
student security is at issue.

On Wednesday, Bolduc told the legislature he was taking the matter
seriously and ordered an independent investigation into the cases.

"We will judge on the facts of what needs to be done in the future,"
said Bolduc, adding he'll wait for a report before
intervening.

The issue surfaced after a 15-year-old girl told the Journal de Quebec
she felt violated after being strip-searched because the school
suspected her of selling drugs.

Bolduc's response drew the ire of the opposition parties, caused
concern among educators and raised eyebrows of civil rights advocates.

Many contend the act was abusive and the teen's parents were not
informed before the search on Feb. 12 at Neufchatel High School. The
girl's mother told the newspaper she's considering legal action,
saying she considered the search "excessive."

A spokesperson for Bolduc said Wednesday the education department is
verifying under what circumstances students can be strip-searched if
school authorities suspect them of selling drugs. The guidelines used
in Quebec were drafted in 2010 in conjunction with the Quebec
provincial police.

That document cites a 1998 Supreme Court of Canada ruling that school
searches were permitted practice providing they are
"reasonable."

In that case, the high court ruled school officials are responsible
for security on school property and said the search of a male student
where a bag of marijuana was discovered hidden in his socks was not a
violation of his constitutional rights.

The issue of strip searches in schools is not specifically mentioned,
but Quebec policy noted the court ruled students cannot expect a full
protection of their privacy while in school.

The Quebec policy states that "teachers and school authorities have
the obligation to provide a safe environment and to maintain order and
discipline."

The Parti Quebecois says despite high court rulings, the Liberals
should ban the controversial search practice outright. At the very
least, it should be made clear that no such search take place without
parental consent.
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MAP posted-by: Matt