LaSalle College Students Face Part-Time Status Due to Language Quotas

Dozens of students at LaSalle College in Montreal have been unexpectedly shifted from full-time to part-time status as the institution scrambles to comply with Quebec’s new language regulations. This abrupt change comes less than a month before classes are set to begin, leaving students like Alex Abraham, who is preparing for his second and final year in network management, feeling disillusioned.

Abraham, 33, expressed his shock upon receiving the notification via email last week. “We all came here with lots of expectations and dreams,” he stated. The shift to part-time status means that students will lose eligibility for Canada’s post-graduation work permit and will face restrictions on off-campus employment unless certain conditions are met. Abraham had been relying on a factory job to support himself during his studies. “How can I meet my expenses?” he asked, highlighting the immediate financial burden the change imposes.

Impact of Quebec’s Language Reform

According to a statement from Caroline Gervais, a spokesperson for the college, approximately 90 students are impacted by the change, which is limited to the upcoming fall semester. Gervais explained that the measures are necessary to ensure compliance with the Charte de la langue française and the government-imposed quotas on English-language AEC programs, a type of vocational diploma.

The previous academic year saw LaSalle College exceed its quota by over 1,000 students, resulting in a staggering fine of $21,113,864 from the Quebec government. This amount added to an earlier fine of $8.7 million, bringing the total financial penalties to nearly $30 million. The college is currently appealing these fines in a civil suit filed in Quebec’s Superior Court.

Abraham, who learned about LaSalle through an agency while living in India, noted that many international students choose Quebec for its cultural richness and quality of life. “The standard of living is good here in Canada compared to India,” he explained. He, along with many others, is making a concerted effort to integrate into Quebec society by learning French.

Concerns Over Academic and Financial Uncertainty

While Gervais acknowledged that the decision to change enrollment status was difficult, she emphasized that it was necessary given constraints beyond the college’s control, such as student academic performance and class availability. “This does not mean that LaSalle College exceeded its overall AEC quota. Instead, it reflects scheduling realities,” she stated.

Abraham remains frustrated, feeling that the college’s unilateral decision has jeopardized his academic and professional aspirations without clear justification. The college communicated that his status change was not related to his academic performance, yet he is left questioning the rationale behind the decision.

To address concerns, LaSalle College has organized a meeting for affected students with representatives from Immigration Canada to provide guidance. Abraham hopes this session will clarify the situation. “I have the right to know the reason,” he said, indicating that he would be dissatisfied if the college’s actions were merely a strategy to avoid further fines. “I am not the reason for the fine. They did the wrong thing; they violated the rule,” he concluded.

The situation at LaSalle College reflects broader tensions in Quebec’s educational landscape, particularly in light of Bill 96, which has stirred controversy over its impact on English-language institutions. As the fall semester approaches, students are left navigating a complex and uncertain academic environment.