The decision of François Legault’s government to increase tuition fees for foreign students or students from other Canadian provinces damages the reputation of Montreal, a university city and a welcoming city, believes Valérie Plante.
“The CAQ’s decision took everyone by surprise. This is a hard blow to the international reputation of the Quebec metropolis,” the mayor commented on Wednesday during a press briefing at city hall. “We all share the same concern to protect and promote the French language. We are proud to be the French-speaking metropolis of the Americas. But I think that we can accomplish this objective without penalizing ourselves of the students and talents that we need to, among other things, keep the economy moving in sectors like artificial intelligence. »
Friday, the Minister of Higher Education, Pascale Déry, announced that as of fall 2024, Canadian students will have to pay the equivalent of what their training costs the government, i.e. $17,000 per year, rather than the current $8992. As for new international students, their tuition bill will reach a minimum of $20,000. The minister emphasized that this decision aimed in particular to slow the decline of French in Montreal.
“I really invite the government of Quebec to maintain dialogue and to meet with all university institutions,” said Valérie Plante. I would like to remind you that when we want to bring life back to the city center, when we want to fill the office towers, when we want it to be dynamic in our city, we need a set of students, a set of talents. »
According to her, Montreal’s reputation risks suffering from this decision. “It’s a government that loves the French language and loves the economy. I think we can do both without dividing ourselves. »
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