B.C. student heading to McGill University despite Quebec’s tuition hikes for out-of-province students

Come September, Daniel Jennings from Vancouver Island, B.C.’s new stomping grounds will be McGill University in Montreal.

Two weeks ago, the 17-year-old accepted his offer into the university’s Commerce program, despite Quebec’s $3,000 raise in tuition fees for out-of-province students attending English universities starting this fall. 

“Everything has its benefits and its drawbacks, I decided that it’s not enough of an obstacle to stop me from deciding to commit,” he said.

“It was a really complicated thought-process, and it involved long conversations with family and teachers at school. Just taking time to reflect on what I want for myself,” he said. “Ultimately weighing the pros and cons of the other schools I applied to as well, I decided that based on location, lifestyle, and academic factors, it’s the right place for me to go.” 

We first met Jennings when he was considering not coming to Montreal because of the government’s initial plan to almost double tuition fees from $9,000 to over $17,000.

But back in December, they decided on a 30 per cent increase to $12,000, which was more feasible for Jennings.

“The other schools I was looking at applying to were Ontario business schools, which have such high tuition fees that I would be paying more regardless,” he said. “It’s a little bit frustrating and it changes from things over the course of the four years, we’re paying an extra $12,000.”

McGill University created a $3,000 award to help applicants offset the costs, but Jennings says his faculty of Management doesn’t benefit from it. 

But he’s celebrating the fact that McGill reassured prospective students that for this year they wouldn’t be affected by the new French requirement rules. Those starting school in the fall of 2025 will need to pass a French proficiency exam to graduate.

“I know that McGill is academically heavy, and not having to consider new mandatory courses is very nice,” he said. “It’s still quite likely that during my time, I’d pursue learning French to some degree, but to not need like mandated courses and getting that communication from the school early, was really nice.” 

Last week, the head of McGill University met with Quebec premier François Legault and Higher Education Minister Pascale Déry, saying they discussed ways to reverse the decline of French in Montreal.

Jennings says students in a city like Montreal should be encouraged to learn French.

“Obviously, I disagree with the propositions from the government to raise tuition for people who are trying to preserve French. I don’t think preservation of French is the right way to go about it,” he said. “I think encouraging people to adopt and learn the language through positive incentives is a better way to go about it.”

Jennings says he’s looking forward to studying in Montreal, but does have some lingering concerns about Quebec’s approach.

“It’s a new element into the college application process to have to keep your finger on the pulse of the politics of the area that you’re trying to go into,” he said. “I hope there’s no sudden shocks or changes now that I’ve made my commitment. I don’t want to get the rug pulled from out under my feet.”