Christian Corno has stepped into one of Montreal's most challenging educational leadership roles as the new director general of Villa Maria School, facing an urgent mission to secure the institution's future amid a bitter standoff with its landlords.
The Crisis at Hand
The 171-year-old private school finds itself in a precarious position as its landlords, the Sisters of Notre Dame, plan to sell the historic Monklands Estate property where the school has operated since 1854. The religious order, which has owned the land for more than 190 years, intends to sell the estate in 2031, while the school's current lease expires in 2030.
The relationship between the school and the Sisters has deteriorated significantly since 2023, when the religious order first announced their intention to sell the property. The situation has become so strained that the Sisters have completely halted communication with the school administration, according to school officials.
A Complicated History
The Sisters have expressed concerns about Villa Maria's financial stability as their reason for reluctance to sell to the school directly - a claim the school disputes. This disagreement has escalated into legal action, with Villa Maria filing a lawsuit in April 2025 to force a sale or trigger a call for tenders.
The conflict is already having tangible consequences. Estimated enrollment for the 2026 cohort has dropped by nearly half, according to reports from La Presse, indicating that the uncertainty is affecting parent confidence in the school's future.
The Right Person for the Challenge
Christian Corno, 57, brings relevant experience to his new role. Just under a decade ago, he became director of nearby Marianopolis College, which faced a similar situation when the Sisters decided to sell its property. Corno successfully negotiated a deal that kept the CEGEP on its grounds, even requiring Vatican approval for the arrangement.
"I know the Sisters rather well," Corno said in an interview with The Gazette. "I believe I can maybe change the dynamics."
His relationship with the Sisters remains strong enough that they endorsed his appointment as director general, despite the ongoing standoff. Corno views this endorsement as "a bit of an olive branch" in the strained relationship.
However, Corno acknowledges that Villa Maria's situation is "more complex" than the Marianopolis College negotiations. The Villa Maria estate is larger, contains heritage-designated buildings, and includes the site of the Sisters' former motherhouse, adding layers of significance that the Sisters "take seriously."
Path Forward
Corno takes the helm on a five-year mandate with a clear approach: "My arrival here is not rooted in confrontation or winning. It's about bringing the parties together, refocusing on the shared objective of wanting the school to continue."
When asked about potentially apologizing to the Sisters or withdrawing the legal action, Corno responded that he hasn't apologized "not yet," but emphasized that "I can't undo the past. But I can try to bring people back to the table."
The new director general recognizes that any potential purchase involves multiple challenges beyond simply acquiring the land. Financing, heritage commitments, and ensuring long-term operational sustainability all need to be addressed in any agreement.
In his first week, Corno plans to gather facts and prioritize resetting relations with the Sisters, calling it "front and centre" in his initial agenda. Despite the challenges, he remains optimistic about the outcome: "I can't imagine any other scenario than the school continuing."
The coming months will test Corno's diplomatic skills and negotiation experience as he works to bridge the divide between the school and the religious order that founded it, preserving a Montreal educational institution that has served generations of students.
