The proposed tuition raise in Quebec was met with strong opposition by thousands of students at McGill, Concordia, UQAM, and Bishop's University in Montreal.
The hike was intended to double the rates for students from outside of Quebec who wish to attend English universities in Quebec. A three-day walkout is planned by Concordia students, mostly in the arts and certain scientific and arts departments, who are worried that the university's finances would be strained and that accessibility would be reduced due to the 33% tuition increase for students from outside the province.
The strike, scheduled from January 31 to February 2, will impact programs where students have voted in favor of the strike, involving around 6,000 students. This number may increase to nearly 11,000 as more votes are cast. If realized, this would mean approximately one-quarter of Concordia's 46,000 students could be out of class. Some McGill students, including those in religious studies, have also voted to strike.
The proposed tuition hike by the Coalition Avenir Québec government is criticized for potentially increasing student debt and worsening poverty and precarity among Quebec students. The Concordia Student Union (CSU) argues that this decision sets a precedent, opening the door to tuition hikes for Quebec students and marking a new chapter in a longstanding struggle for access to education.
Concordia students planning to strike intend to engage in "hard picketing," blocking students and faculty from entering affected departments. The goal is to create a significant disruption and demonstrate their commitment to challenging the tuition hike. Lily Charette, ASFA's mobilization coordinator, emphasized the seriousness of their stance, stating that they are willing to put their education on the line for the betterment of future generations of students.
While Concordia respects students' freedom to express their views, the university spokesperson expressed perplexity about the strike taking place within their buildings. Students advocate for more significant action by Concordia, including legal measures against the Quebec government. The three-day strike is viewed as a precursor to a potential general unlimited strike, indicating an ongoing commitment until their demands are met.
In November, Concordia announced budget cuts and considered suspending infrastructure projects, citing a larger-than-anticipated deficit of $35 million compared to the approved $19.4 million deficit.
