In a bid to get the provincial government to walk back its $30 million funding cuts over having enrolled too many students into English-language programs, LaSalle College suspended classes Monday. Claude Marchand, the school’s director, said the college was gobsmacked when the government said last month it would not foot the bill as usual. Though LaSalle College is a private institution, the government subsidizes about 40 per cent of the costs for each Quebec student. “Now, what the government is telling us this year is on the $20 million that they are supposed to assume for those students, they will pay zero. It’s a bit complicated for us, to be told by our main client ‘we will not give you the $20 million in order for you to support the journey of those students,’” said Marchand. He insists the college isn’t admitting more English-speaking students than it did in 2019, but the language law reforms known as Bill 96 – which include provisions reducing the number allowed – have since come into effect. Marchand insists the school is not defying the law but is “respecting the spirit of the law.” The Ministry of Higher Education said it must recover the $8,781,740 in subsidies paid to the college for the 2023-2024 academic year, as well as $21,113,864 for 2024-2025. “We are not fighting against the law. We are defending our staff and students against an abusive and disproportionate government decision,” Marchand said. “That $30 million cut in our operating subsidies directly related to our Quebecer students creates a big problem, and they need to recognize that and readjust.” He said he has been reaching out to the Premier and ministers responsible to try to negotiate, but has not heard back. He believes the government is trying to make an example out of LaSalle College. The minister responsible for higher education, Pascale Déry, had strong words for the college on social media Friday. “It is unacceptable that the institution is holding students hostage in the midst of the negotiation process,” she wrote. She stressed the government gave Marchand “several options” to ensure the start of the fall semester. She said the college is the only subsidized private institution to have knowingly defied the province’s language laws for two years despite warnings. “Once again, we invite the College to act in good faith and continue discussions, in the interest of the students,” said Déry. But Marchand called the minister’s comments “inaccurate” and “inappropriate.” He said he received overwhelming support from teachers to suspend classes and continue discussions with the province. Classes will instead start on Tuesday. Campus will be open to students and staff Monday despite the suspension of classes.
