The issue of "Bedford" primary school in Montreal was raised in the House of Commons in Ottawa on Wednesday. The Prime Minister Justin Trudeau described the situation that has recently come to light as "unacceptable," but not before he defended what he considers basic rights for citizens.

"In this side of the House of Commons, we respect the provinces' authorities in the field of education. But we will always be ready to defend freedom of expression and the fundamental freedoms that all Canadians have the right to enjoy," said the Liberal Prime Minister when asked for his opinion on the case of "Bedford" school, where a group of 11 teachers created a toxic environment of fear and intimidation before they were suspended.

Bloc Québécois leader Yves-François Blanchet summarized the accusations against the eleven suspended teachers in the mentioned school as follows: "Intimidation, harassment, verbal abuse, contempt for science, and physical punishment (...) for reasons related to religious stubbornness."

Blanchet expressed his astonishment at the Prime Minister's introduction of issues of freedoms in this matter, sarcastically stating: "I understand that the Prime Minister is elsewhere," referring to the criticisms Trudeau heard from his party's members this morning during a Liberal parliamentary caucus meeting and the demands from many of them for him to step down from the party leadership.

Blanchet questioned whether introducing religious concepts into a public school and inflicting physical punishment on students falls under the teachers' freedom of expression, to which Trudeau replied that this is not what he said "at all."

"We will always defend the basic freedoms of all Canadians, including children who have the right to an education in line with our values as Quebecers and Canadians."

It is noteworthy that Trudeau himself is a Quebecer and represents one of the districts in Montreal, the largest city in Quebec province, in the House of Commons.

When asked to comment on the issue a third and then a fourth time, Trudeau was more explicit. "What is being circulated about these children is unacceptable (...), but using cases of such excesses and exceptions to attack diversity in Quebec and the different origins that unite our country is also unacceptable."

These comments came a day after Quebec Premier François Legault stated that he wants to "enhance controls and secularism" in the province's schools and condemned "the attempt by a group of teachers to introduce Islamic religious concepts into a public school," referring to the "Bedford" school.

Quebec independence party leader Paul St-Pierre Plamondon also addressed the subject on Monday, denouncing the "religious and ideological entry" into Quebec schools.

MP Marwa Rizki requests police protection

In a related context, Quebec National Assembly member Marwa Rizki requested police protection yesterday, stating that she fears for her safety and that of her family members.

"Currently, in our home, my husband and my two children, but also my mother... I won’t hide from you that we are in a state of heightened vigilance," Rizki told reporters.

Rizki, of Moroccan descent, is the spokesperson for the Quebec Liberal Party (PLQ) on education issues. Her party constitutes the official opposition in the Quebec National Assembly.

Rizki faced insults after she strongly condemned the toxic environment created by the eleven teachers, most of whom are of Maghreb origin, at Bedford school and welcomed their suspension.

On Monday, media outlets belonging to the Quebecor group aired a speech by the radical Quebec Muslim preacher Adil Charkaoui, of Moroccan origin, who stated that Rizki is exaggerating her description of the situation at "Bedford" school, describing her as "a Moroccan in service" (Marocaine de service), implying that she is denying her origins for the sake of the society she lives in.

Yesterday, Rizki pledged in front of reporters in the National Assembly building that she will continue to do her job and speak loudly and clearly despite the insulting and threatening comments aimed at her.

Rizki made sure to thank MPs from all political parties who showed their support for her.

This is not the first time Rizki, known for her frankness, has been targeted in this way. She received death threats during the 2022 Quebec general election campaign.

Rizki represents the "Saint-Laurent" district in Montreal, where migrants from the Arab world make up a large portion of the population.