Concordia, McGill student unions denounce Quebec’s plan to double tuition at English universities for out-of-province students

Student unions at English universities are adding their voice to the list of those denouncing the Quebec government’s plan to double tuition fees for out-of-province students at English universities.

In a joint statement, the Concordia Student Union (CSU) and the Students’ Society of McGill University (SSMU) said: “This plan would exclude students from quality education by interfering with their right to pursue education in their preferred language, without facing further financial marginalization and cultural discrimination. This policy is the latest in Quebec’s long history of attempts to divest from post-secondary education. It is a decision that was made without consultation with the three major Quebec English-speaking universities, their student unions, or affected students. Measures like these exacerbate the already present disparity between people in the province and will only cause further harm and alienation.”

On October 13,  the CAQ government announced that as of September 2024 tuition for new out-of-province students will go up to around $17,000 dollars annually at English universities – nearly double the current price – while international students will see their fees rise to at least $20,000 a year. The hike is applicable to undergrad and Masters students.

“The CSU and the SSMU oppose the increase of tuition, as our organizations advocate for universally accessible post-secondary education as a human right, which is being directly hindered by CAQ’s current plans. In increasing the current cost of tuition, students are placed in an undesirable financial situation. This fee increase of $8,992 to $17,000 will price out the poorest out-of-province students, saddle students with further debts, and require students to work even more during their studies to afford their education. All of which help turn post-secondary education into a luxury item, exacerbate issues of elitism within academia, and limit how much students can benefit from their education,” their statement continues.

The groups plan on holding town hall meetings at McGill and Concordia later this month to allow students to voice their concerns about the issue.

“Whether students are international, out-of-province, or from the province of Quebec, access to education and agency in choosing one’s academic trajectory remains a universal and fundamental right that we call upon the Quebec Government to acknowledge. We ask that the province consider the obstacles that this will cause for access to education and the unnecessary financial strains on those who wish to study in our universities. The CSU and SSMU strongly condemn this tuition hike as undemocratic and discriminatory. We demand that the province enact policies that respect post-secondary education as a human right, eliminate all financial barriers to post-secondary education, and engage in the consensual increase of student fees in negotiation with student unions,” the groups conclude.

This decision by the CAQ government has faced criticism from English universities, the business community, the mayor of Montreal, as well as opposition parties at the National Assembly and federal MPs.