McGill’s international reputation at stake with Quebec tuition hike, grad students say

Quebec’s decision to substantially raise university tuition for out-of-province students will hurt the quality of research at McGill University and its international reputation.

That’s according to graduate students and staff of McGill’s Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences.

They say a drop in out-of-province students will lead to a “decrease in both the quality and diversity of research trainees” and subsequently “impede the pursuit of new ideas.”

The graduate students are preparing share their concerns in a letter to Quebec Minister of Higher Education Pascale Déry and Quebec Premier François Legault. The letter is co-authored by students Anne Blouin, Mara Whitford and Sophie Viala.

“Research laboratories and institutes within McGill heavily rely on the heterogeneous student population for both undergraduate and graduate recruitment,” the letter reads. “The drastic increase in tuition for out-of-province and international students will inevitably deter a portion of these students from applying to McGill.

“High-quality health research fosters the exchange of knowledge and ideas between students at all levels and benefits from global perspectives.”

WATCH: Protest planned against Quebec’s English university tuition hike

Tuition for Canadians outside Quebec will jump from $8,992 to $17,000, the province announced earlier this month. The province’s three English universities – McGill, Concordia and Bishop’s – are expected to be hit hard.

The Quebec government is arguing the new rate of $17,000 per year is closer to what it costs the province to educate a university student.

The provincial government also plans to charge universities $20,000 for each international student they recruit.

Premier Legault has defended the move, insisting Quebec taxpayers should not have to subsidize students from outside the province.

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…

Bishop’s University calls Quebec plan to increase tuition ‘catastrophic’

The head of Bishop’s University says the impact of Quebec’s plan to double tuition for out-of-province students will be “catastrophic.” Tuition for Canadians outside Quebec will jump from $8,992…

Defending tuition increase, Premier Legault says survival of French language at risk

Quebec must raise university tuition fees for out-of-province Canadian students because the survival of the French language is threatened, Premier François Legault said Tuesday. His government will…

Montreal mayor joins those criticizing Quebec’s move to double tuition at English Universities for out-of-province students

Montrel mayor Valérie Plante says the Quebec government’s decision to double tuition fees at English universities for out-of-province students is hurting the city’s reputation. “I’m disappointed because…

Quebec tuition hike for out-of-province students already weighing on high schoolers

Quebec’s decision to raise university tuition for out-of-province students starting next year is already weighing on high schoolers and their families. 17-year-old Gage Crouchman from Ottawa says he…

But the Master’s and doctoral students at McGill’s Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, although not directly affected by the tuition increases, say Quebec’s decision will decrease the value of their degrees.

“The quality of research done at McGill has an international reputation, and it is maintained by the highly collaborative work between Quebec, out-of-province, and international students,” the students say.

“By adding barriers for out-of-province and international students wishing to join the university at the undergraduate level, in effect, the government is penalizing not only these students but also graduate students, laboratories, and research institutions.

“McGill University cultivates a world-renowned hub of cutting-edge science and innovation in Montreal. Decreasing the standard for research within McGill will undoubtedly have negative repercussions on the Quebec scientific community as a whole.”