The Stream

Quebec’s Education Minister says ‘respectful’ strip searches for drugs okay

Politician criticised for defending strip searching of students.

An education minister in the Canadian province of Quebec has come under fire for comments he made after a teenager suspected of selling drugs was reportedly strip searched by school staff.

The 15 year-old student told the Journal de Montreal newspaper that she was made to strip nude behind a blanket while the school’s principal searched her clothes for drugs. 

Speaking to reporters, Minister Yves Bolduc said such searches are permitted, but with one condition. “It must be very respectful,” he added. 

The term #FouilleRespectueuse (French for “Respectful Search”) trended shortly afterwards, with many expressing outrage and criticising the politician’ remarks.