One point of contention raised by university officials is the lack of consultation with the affected institutions. They feel that this decision was made without proper dialogue, showing a lack of respect for anglophone institutions.
One point of contention raised by university officials is the lack of consultation with the affected institutions. They feel that this decision was made without proper dialogue, showing a lack of respect for anglophone institutions.
Plans of the Quebec government to increase tuition fees for non-Quebec students studying in English at the province’s universities have been met with alarm. Two of Quebec’s three English universities, Bishop’s and Concordia, are expressing deep concern over the potential consequences of this tuition hike.
Bishop’s University, the smallest of Quebec’s English universities located in Lennoxville, Quebec, is particularly concerned. Sébastien Lebel-Grenier, the university’s principal and vice-chancellor, warned that such a steep increase could result in the loss of up to 30 percent of their student body. This, he stressed, could pose an existential threat to Bishop’s University.
The fear is that the proposed tuition hike for out-of-province Canadian students could potentially double, while fees for foreign students would remain relatively stable.
A threat to French language?
Minister of the French Language Jean-François Roberge defended the plan, claiming that non-Quebecers studying at English universities pose a threat to the French language.
However, critics argue that these measures could have dire consequences for anglophone universities. Graham Carr, president and vice-chancellor of Concordia University, emphasized the financial impact such a move would have on English-language universities, as well as the potential harm to Montreal’s reputation as an open and inclusive university city.
One point of contention raised by university officials is the lack of consultation with the affected institutions. They feel that this decision was made without proper dialogue, showing a lack of respect for anglophone institutions.
McGill University, while not providing an official interview, expressed concerns about the tuition changes potentially affecting their ability to attract and retain talent, which contributes significantly to Quebec’s economy. They highlighted Montreal’s reputation as an international education destination and the contribution of students from outside Quebec to the vitality and economy of the region.
This move to target English-language universities is part of a broader effort by Premier François Legault’s government to promote the French language. It follows the contentious Bill 96, which was seen as excessive by anglophone-rights groups and marked significant changes to language laws in Quebec.
Roberge framed these tuition changes as part of an “all-out offensive” to address the decline of the French language in Montreal. He pointed out that while 80 percent of Quebec students attend French-language universities, only half of the 32,000 foreign or out-of-province students studying in Quebec do so in French. He stressed the need to regain linguistic ground.
The impact of a tuition hike
The implications of these tuition changes are significant. Currently, students from different provinces and countries pay varying amounts of tuition. For instance, a full-time bachelor of arts and science student at McGill pays:
This new tuition structure comes on the heels of criticism by Concordia and McGill regarding new immigration rules that require international students to master French.
Sylvia Martin-Laforge, director general of the Quebec Community Groups Network, expressed concerns that damage to English universities could harm the anglophone community as a whole. Institutions are vital to the community’s vitality, and any threat to their enrollment is worrisome.
While Minister Roberge argues that these measures are essential to protect the French language, many in the academic community believe that international and out-of-province students are an asset, bringing diversity and talent to Quebec’s universities. They view universities as places where communities come together to learn and grow.
This move by the Quebec government raises questions about the balance between language protection and the openness of Quebec’s universities. As the government pushes for these changes, it remains to be seen how they will impact enrollment, diversity, and the reputation of Quebec’s English-language universities.
