Quebec Premier Jean Charest and his education minister have met with university and CEGEP administrators to find some common ground ahead of expected discussions with striking student groups.

As the battle over Quebec's proposed tuition raises reached its 82nd day, talks between the government and student representatives have all but ended.

On Thursday, students protested in their underwear in Montreal as a way to get publicity for their cause.

A Facebook group apparently allied with the march said the protest was also aimed at a police order that barred protesters from covering their faces.

Despite the ongoing protests, it's believed that Charest and Education Minister Line Beauchamp are seeking to restart talks and work to end the protracted strike that has led to months of unrest.

Charest's government confirmed the meeting, saying Thursday that the huddle with school officials took place "to try to find room for dialogue."

Beauchamp said Thursday that she has extended a hand to the groups that represent both university students and the province's CEGEP students.

The offer for dialogue from Quebec City comes after student groups asked for a council to be established that would investigate better management practices for provincial universities.

While Beauchamp will likely meet with the Federation etudiante universitaire du Quebec, representing university students, and the Federation etudiante collegiale du Quebec, which speaks for CEGEP students, the offer has been seen as a way to exclude CLASSE, the most militant of the student groups.

In return, CLASSE released its own proposals for a settlement, which aim for an eventual elimination of tuition altogether.

Other key proposals from CLASSE include:

  • A $142-million reduction on university research spending
  • Banning universities from commercial advertising
  • A wage and hiring freeze for university administrators
  • A moratorium on the construction of satellite campuses
  • A tax on banks that would be used to offset education costs

But the government has said that a tuition freeze isn't an option, and they are pushing for a hike of $1,625.

"When I talk about university management I will repeat that this is a good suggestion, there is some maneuvering we can do on that issue," said Beauchamp.

Recently, the government had said it would stretch that hike over seven years, but that has been rejected by student groups.

Meanwhile, the Quebec Liberals are gearing up for their annual convention, and students say they'll take their fight to the event, which is taking place in Victoriaville.

With a report from CTV Montreal