Schools closed Thursday in Montreal due to the ice storm
Due to bad weather conditions causing power outages to near a Hydro- Quebec out of two on the island of Montreal, all schools in the metropolis will remain closed on Thursday. The school service centers, as well as the English-Montreal School Board made the announcement on Wednesday evening.
“Given the numerous power outages and the risks associated with trees and branches breaking under the weight of the ice, all primary and secondary schools, adult education and vocational training centers and the administrative center will be closed in order to to ensure the safety of all. Childcare services will also be closed,” said the Center de services de la Pointe-de-l’île (CSSPI) in a message on its website.
The Montreal School Services Center (CSSDM) announced on its Facebook page that its daycare services and administrative offices will be closed for the whole day of April 6.
“No course or distance learning is planned for all primary, secondary and adult sector students. Only the staff required as part of their functions (essential services) must perform a work service, whether face-to-face or teleworking, ”adds the CSSDM.
Same directive on the side of the English Montreal School Board.
All Schools and Centres at the EMSB will be closed on Thursday, April 6 due to the weather conditions and power failures in most of our territory. The presence of staff at the central head office will be optional.
— English Montreal School Board (@EnglishMTL) April 6, 2023
In a notice published on its website, the Center de services scolaire Marguerite-Bourgeoys (CSSMB) reports that all schools and daycare services are closed for both students and all school and center staff. “There are no distance learning courses. The school calendar provides for a resumption of this class day over the next few weeks.
As for the Youth Symposium, the event is cancelled.
A Montrealer out of two in the dark
Around 10:30 p.m. Wednesday, more than 450,000 Hydro-Québec customers were without power in Montreal. The situation evolved rapidly when, shortly before 2 p.m., approximately 52,000 customers were without power in the city.
Across Quebec, more than one million  customers who are without electricity. Montreal is the second most affected region, after Montérégie. This would be the worst ice storm since the 1998 ice storm.
Due to the high number of outages and affected customers, it is too early to establish the average time to restore service although all the teams are mobilized, indicates Hydro-Québec. The state company says to call 911 if you see wires on the ground and don’t approach.
