City backs School Persistence Week

Summary#

Montréal city council unanimously adopted a declaration supporting the 2026 Journées de la persévérance scolaire (School Persistence Days). It recognizes February 16–20, 2026, as the campaign week, supports the campaign, and invites elected officials and the wider community to take part. Its stated goal is to encourage school persistence and educational success and help break cycles of inequality.

  • The declaration recognizes the week and invites, but does not require, people to participate.
  • It cites $100,000 already reserved in the City’s 2026 budget for extended after-school evening programming at some municipal sports, cultural and recreation facilities. This declaration does not itself allocate that money.

What it means for you#

  • Residents and community groups: The City invites you to support school persistence and educational success. The declaration does not make participation mandatory.
  • Elected officials: The declaration invites them to take part in the campaign; it does not set out specific required actions.
  • Students and families: The declaration does not create a new service, benefit or eligibility rule.

Money#

The declaration itself sets no new spending amount; it refers to $100,000 already reserved in the City’s 2026 budget.

  • The resolution does not say which facilities or programs will receive that funding, or give further cost details.

What is unclear#

  • The declaration does not specify what activities the City or community members will carry out.
  • It does not identify which facilities will offer extended evening programming or how the $100,000 will be used.
  • It does not set targets or explain how the campaign’s results will be assessed.

Case for#

  • The declaration recognizes the importance of school persistence and invites the community to take part.
  • It points to municipal facilities and programming as ways to support young people outside school hours.

Case against#

  • The declaration is an expression of support, not a plan with assigned actions or measurable results.
  • It does not explain how the cited funding will reach young people facing the greatest barriers to school success.