The Potential of Quebec’s Ethics and Religious Culture (ERC) Program in Preventing Violent Extremism: Perceptions of Students and Teachers at McGill University and University of Quebec in Montreal

Abstract

The Ethics and Religious Culture (ERC) program was introduced in the Quebec curriculum in 2008 with an overall aim of promoting interreligious and intercultural understanding and ethical wellbeing among students. Despite having the potentiality of creating and sustaining a peaceful society, the Quebec government is planning to abolish the program at a time when hateful attitudes and rightwing extremism are on the rise in the region. Yet, the findings of this mixed method study suggest that the ERC program can indeed foster students’ ethical and emotional development, open-mindedness and critical thinking skills, therefore enhancing their resilience against violent extremism.