Quebec education Minister Bernard Drainville will announce Thursday a new province-wide ban on cellphones, headphones, and personal mobile devices in all elementary and secondary schools, both public and private. The rule will take effect starting September 2025, Radio-Canada has learned.
The ban will apply throughout the entire school day — not just during class time, but also during breaks and on school grounds. The goal, according to the government, is to create more respectful learning environments and reduce distractions, bullying, and screen-related problems.
The measure follows the first official recommendation from Québec’s all-party commission on screen use among youth. While the commission’s full report is expected by the end of May, it issued an early recommendation so schools would have time to prepare.
Minister Drainville is also tying the ban to his broader plan to promote civility and respect in schools, part of his previously announced strategy to combat violence and bullying. He noted that mobile phones are often used as tools for intimidation, and banning them entirely on school property aligns with that mission.
Exceptions will be made for educational purposes or for students with specific medical needs.
Although the rule will be mandatory, each school will be allowed to determine how it enforces the policy. The Education Ministry will provide guidance, but schools can adopt models already in place, such as locked phone pouches or requiring students to leave phones in lockers.
Drainville says the goal is not to impose a single system but to give schools the flexibility to adopt what works best for their community. Early adopters of similar policies—like schools in Oka, Charles-Lemoyne, and Quebec City—have reported positive results and improved student interactions.
The full details of the new regulation will be shared by the government later this week.
As of 2025, most provinces—including Ontario, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, British Columbia, Nova Scotia, and New Brunswick—have introduced or are rolling out cellphone bans in schools. These rules generally ban phone use during class time. But now Quebec is going for a full ban for the entire day.
What do you think about this cellphone ban? Teach kids how to use devices properly or is it a lost cause?
