Ricardo Larrivée’s Documentary “Écoles sous pression” Highlights Quebec School Infrastructure Crisis
A new documentary, Écoles sous pression – Une quête de Ricardo Larrivée, set to air on ICI TÉLÉ and ICI TOU.TV on March 30, 2026, is bringing the deteriorating state of Quebec’s school infrastructure into sharp focus. Chef Ricardo Larrivée, following his involvement in the Lab-École project—aimed at reimagining school environments for improved learning—is sounding the alarm about widespread issues plaguing the province’s educational facilities.
Deteriorating Infrastructure and Overcrowding
The documentary reveals that over half (53%) of Quebec’s school infrastructure is in poor condition, with many schools facing overcrowding and inadequacy to meet the needs of students. Larrivée’s investigation delves into the causes of this deterioration, engaging with key education stakeholders to understand the challenges and explore potential solutions.
A Quest to Understand the Root Causes
Larrivée’s journey, as depicted in the documentary, takes him from Montreal to Saguenay and Quebec City, exposing the realities of schools in disrepair. He highlights examples such as the closed Académie de Roberval in Montreal, where students have been relocated to another school also in necessitate of repair, calling it “the last straw.” The documentary also addresses the situation at schools like FACE, a heritage building allowed to degrade, and Saint-Jean-de-Brébeuf, where budgetary issues are delaying necessary renovations.
Financial Constraints and Prioritization
The documentary explores the financial challenges contributing to the crisis. Larrivée questions the prioritization of education spending, noting that the government has not consistently allocated the necessary 2% of school value for maintenance. The resulting backlog in repairs is estimated at around $25 billion.
The Rise of Modular Classrooms
While the government has invested over $400 million in modular classrooms in recent years, Larrivée and architect Pierre Thibault, a former Lab-École collaborator, express concern that this is a short-term fix rather than a long-term solution.
Call for Societal Priority
Écoles sous pression serves as a call to action, urging society to prioritize education and demand attention from politicians. Larrivée hopes the documentary will spark public discussion and create social pressure for change, potentially leading to a “Parent 2.0” commission to re-evaluate educational priorities.
Broadcast Details
Écoles sous pression – Une quête de Ricardo Larrivée will premiere on ICI TÉLÉ on March 30, 2026, at 9 p.m., and will also be available on ICI TOU.TV. It will be rebroadcast on ICI RDI the following day at 8 p.m. The documentary is produced by Pamplemousse Média and directed by Mélissa Beaudet.