In recent weeks, McGill, Concordia and Bishop’s universities have found themselves at the heart of the debate on the protection of the French language. The government announced its intention to increase registration fees for students from other Canadian provinces, because these would contribute to the decline of French. The government’s adoption of this new tone towards English-speaking establishments raises several concerns about the influence of Quebec universities within Canada as well as internationally.
Quebec universities, whether French or English, constitute cosmopolitan places. Their openness to the world as well as their inclusion of cultural diversity make them key players in the promotion of our nation. They contribute to Quebec’s influence abroad and facilitate the discovery and adoption of our culture among students from outside our borders.
Depicted by some as being passive agents on the issue, the three English-speaking universities of Quebec have recently proposed various actions to force many Canadian and foreign students to learn French. These establishments attest to us that they are ready to take on a new role in promoting the French language. They also announced their intentions during a discussion on the subject with the Prime Minister of Quebec. However, since this high-level meeting, there has been radio silence from the Quebec government.
Considering the crucial role of universities in the promotion and economic vitality of Quebec, we have the responsibility to support them and above all not to create new obstacles that could harm them.
We must not forget that the arrival of these Canadian and international students also contributes to our economy. According to a study by the Chamber of Commerce of Metropolitan Montreal, these students inject more than 700 million dollars into our economy, excluding university registration fees. Also, these students can help attract significant investments.
We cannot ignore the broader situation in which English-speaking universities find themselves. According to the Quebec Immigration Regulations, which will come into force on November 23, graduates of French-speaking universities in Quebec, unlike those of English-speaking universities, will be able to benefit from an accelerated transition to permanent residence. These students are more likely to choose other provinces where student mobility remains encouraged and where the transition to permanent residence is simpler, quicker and easier to access.
By imposing new conditions which will have the effect of discouraging the arrival of Canadian and foreign students to these three universities, we are depriving ourselves of significant economic benefits. It would be wrong to believe that this new government approach would increase the revenue of French-speaking universities.
On the contrary, we risk weakening the revenues of all Quebec universities. Instead of penalizing English-speaking universities, let’s try to help our French-speaking universities stand out among this important student clientele. By changing course, everyone would win.