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4mo ago

Quebec Court Strikes Down Out-of-Province Tuition Hike and French Proficiency Rule

The Superior Court ruled the measures unreasonable but allowed a nine-month period for the government to revise its tuition framework.

McGill University is planning cost cuts and layoffs to eliminate a projected $45-million deficit next year, which it blames partly on new Quebec government policies.The Roddick Gates that serve as the main entrance to the McGill University campus are seen on Nov. 14, 2017, in Montreal. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Ryan Remiorz
The Quebec Fleur-de-lis provincial flag flies on top of the National Assembly’s main tower, January 18, 2023 in Quebec City. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jacques Boissinot

Overview

  • The Quebec Superior Court invalidated a $3,000 (33%) tuition hike for out-of-province students, citing limited data supporting the policy.
  • A requirement for 80% of out-of-province students at English-language universities to achieve intermediate French proficiency was also overturned.
  • Justice Eric Dufour deemed the French proficiency mandate nearly impossible for universities to meet and thus unreasonable.
  • The court has allowed the contested tuition fees to remain in effect for up to nine months while the government develops a revised policy.
  • McGill and Concordia universities challenged the measures, introduced in 2023 as part of Quebec’s broader efforts to protect the French language.