CDC Pont-Viau - Laval, Québec

Bachar M.

I had a very disappointing experience, particularly with Mr. Samer A. in the accounting course. The administration shows no concern for its students whatsoever; their priority is always the instructors, and the students are always wrong. I ended up leaving the course after six months because of this. I would not recommend this instructor to anyone who is serious about their studies.

Becky B.

My experience at CDC Pont Viau has been deeply disappointing. Here are some of the major concerns I encountered:

1. Unhygienic Facilities: The bathrooms are consistently foul-smelling (think outhouse) with no ventilation, and there is a noticeable lack of basic air fresheners or sanitation upkeep. This speaks to an overall disregard for the comfort and dignity of students.

2. Discriminatory Practices: There appears to be a clear prioritization of international students, whose high tuition fees seem to take precedence over fair treatment. Resident students are often scrutinized more harshly and may be pushed out to make room for those paying international rates.

3. Lack of Professionalism in Administration: The administration and teaching staff are hesitant to address serious issues such as personal hygiene, likely due to fear of offending fee-paying students. This leads to a classroom environment that is sometimes unpleasant and unhealthy.

4. Unqualified Teaching Staff: Many instructors appear to lack proper teaching credentials or experience. Of all the institutions I’ve attended, this was by far the weakest academically.

5. Toxic Environment: Students are encouraged to report on each other, creating a hostile, surveillance-like atmosphere that feels more like institutionalization rather than adult education or even highschool.

6. Micromanagement and Infantilization: Adult students are treated like children—asked to raise hands to use the bathroom, timed during breaks, and even questioned for taking more than a few minutes. Teachers respond with passive-aggressive sighs and other manipulative behaviors that pressure students emotionally.

7. Disrespect for Basic Needs: Impromptu meetings during lunch breaks are common, and students are often denied the time to eat or rest—violating basic human needs as described by Virginia Henderson’s model of care (e.g., the need to eliminate, to eat and drink).

8. Power Imbalance and Discrimination: International students and immigrants often face toxic power dynamics. Many visible minority students remain silent and reserved, likely due to fear of retaliation, while white students are subtly positioned as "leaders" within the classroom dynamic. This divide is noticeable and disturbing.

9. Unsafe Location: The school is situated in an area with visible drug use and crime. Encounters with individuals using substances near or even on school property are not uncommon, which can make commuting feel unsafe.

10. Lack of Diversity in Leadership: Administrative staff lacks diversity, with only one visible minority employed in a tokenistic role. Leadership appears out of touch and unsympathetic to the lived experiences of many of their students.

11. Unprofessional Conduct: Some teachers use public humiliation as a tactic. When addressed professionally, they may resort to manipulative behavior—such as playing the victim—to avoid accountability. This undermines trust and damages the student-teacher relationship.

In conclusion, CDC Pont Viau fails to provide a respectful, inclusive, and supportive learning environment. While some students may tolerate these conditions due to limited options, this should not excuse the institution from addressing systemic problems. Prospective students—especially local residents, immigrants, and visible minorities—should approach this school with caution.

Jacques V.

Started the Licence Practical Nurse (LPN) Jan’25, it is an 18 months long program. So far I met devoted staff (Teachers and personnel) all very pleasants.

It is an extremely rigorous, intensive program demanding all your 25 hours in a day not 24. You read me well because the day you start the MuscuSkeletal course, boy the ball is rolling.your life changes.for the next year. You better not fall behind like I did. Catching up will not be easy.

If you are coming from a PAB program the first clinical and two other courses are exempted. “ Mo, you ask, I am giving it to you”

The school lost one star d/t:

— the fact room 325 was always cold last winter;
— printing-if you are like me you like to connect, feel the paper, set up a budget for printing school subjects;
- there is no cafeteria on site only a vending machine fills with junk snacks ( bad for your health and pocket);
- there is no close- by restaurants;
- the school wi-fi is vulnerable; I use my own bytes. Go figure.;
- cafeteria’s tables are messy at times.On This one I can only blame certain students that I witnessed not cleaning after they eat nor around the sink. The superintendents are not your slaves. Clean it up, you are future PAB’s, LPN’s. Infections control concern all of us. I do clean my table before and after.

Some teachers so far emphasise on “ failures” and there is no need for this . We are adults we know what we embarked on it is our responsibilities to meet with the demands, personally if I find I can’t keep up I will just step out. There is no need for that fear mongering tactic.

You are responsible to buy school supplies a large bill for most students. Financial resources are provided.
Future students there it is and it is what it is. You are forewarned.

I love my basketball I had to quit playing basketball. What a price to pay! Jacques sad sad really really sad.

Lateness is not tolerated. Il va de soi.

Edit… May 13, 2025
Future students coming with a PAB certificate. The school / government will make you waste 105 hours in class for their basic care training. You should contest it with all your might.

The only difference was the Vital signs training. at CDC I use a manual sphygmomanometer, at SHADD I used an electronic device. Also They emphasize on using a mitten to wash pts rather than the usual “ banana peel”.
Basic care is basic care no matter where you are at.
Wasted 105 hours in my life, these are hours I could have used to catch up on past courses. At least you are exempted the first clinic. I.e. basic care.
Touloulou.

Kim F.

The experience so far has been great. Especially for students like me who needs a course that actually teaches you at your own pace with excellent guidance from the teachers. All in all the learning environment is pretty much relaxing and you won’t feel any kind of tension making you learn your competencies with a peace of mind. 10/10 would recommend other students to enrol at this center, especially students who are not yet sure what they want to be.

Michael Z.

Be ready for the administration to be rude. Extremely disorganized, lacks communication between people who works there. I have waited 2 weeks before someone answered their calls, and being told every week to come back next week for 3 more weeks. If a different person pick up the phone, they will tell you that you have been given the wrong information. I sincerely hope no one has the pleasure of working or communicating with them in the future. Look elsewhere if you are serious about your career and education.

Marcela M.

The teachers are very professional and welcoming. They are nice and always encourage you to do your best. The Centre is always clean and the personnel is amicable. What I like most about the Secretarial Program is that it allows you to work at your own pace which makes it easier for some people to advance faster if needed. Another perk is that you make new friends : )

Emily W.

Since I started here in September I have really enjoyed my experience! I was never the type for school but the teachers and staff really made a différence for me. They go out of their way to make sure that you understand, they give you the tools you need to pass. From going over the material multiple times to doing after school remediation. I would recommend this school to anyone

samuel O.

Awesome teachers who takes time to make you understand the competences, calm environment, wonderful practical lab techniques. This is an amazing school I would recommend to everyone. You will never regret coming here. Thanks for making me achieve my aim to become an LPN ❤️❤️❤️. The sky is only a starting point for you when you choose CDC pont viau.