Dafuq! Quebec fines LaSalle College $30M for having too many students in English programs

[canada-man]

LaSalle College has been fined $30 million by François Legault’s Coalition Avenir Québec (CAQ) government for enrolling too many students in its English-language programs over the past two academic years.

The college confirmed the news on Friday morning, saying it was accused of contravening Quebec’s French Language Charter, Bill 101.

Its amended Bill 96, An Act respecting French, the official and common language of Québec, states that the province’s CEGEPs, or junior colleges, are only allowed to enroll a certain number of students in their English-language programs.


In a letter sent to the college by the Quebec Higher Education Ministry, dated June 28, 2024, the school’s officials were accused of surpassing their allowed limit by 716 English-speaking students for the 2023-2024 academic year.

Simon Savignac, director of communications with the Higher Education Ministry, clarified to CTV News on Friday that an “English-speaking student” in this case was any student enrolled in a program taught in English – regardless of their mother tongue or the language in which they completed their elementary or secondary education.


“The Ministry of Higher Education must recover the amount of subsidies paid in excess and collect the adjustment,” the letter states.

That amount, according to the ministry, was $8,781,740.

Additionally, for the 2024-2025 academic year, the school was accused of enrolling 1,066 too many English-speaking students in its English programs.

For that, the school was asked to pay $21,113,864.

“Despite close monitoring and several warnings, it is important to note that LaSalle is the only subsidized private college that continues to defy the French Language Charter and fail to comply with the law,” said Savignac with the Higher Education Ministry on Friday, confirming that no other school in its category had been penalized.

He explained that the allowed number of students was 973 per year.


In a letter to Quebec Higher Education Minister Pascale Déry and French Language Minister Jean-François Roberge, dated Dec. 9, 2024, LaSalle College President Claude Marchand argued that the $30 million penalty imposed by the government threatened the school’s very survival.

“In all transparency, we acknowledge that we have been unable to comply with the conditions imposed by the new legislative framework regarding quotas for English-speaking students,” he wrote.


However, Marchand added that the college “never had a real opportunity” to discuss the situation with government officials.

“These penalties will inevitably lead to our insolvency and a default on our obligations to our banking syndicate, the [Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec] CDPQ and Export Development Canada, which will recall the $150 million granted to LCI Education,” he said.

Marchand also pointed to the major collateral damage the school will suffer, including abruptly interrupting the education of thousands of students, penalizing the jobs of 736 people, and hurting the college’s international network.


The college said it is contesting the fine in the Quebec Superior Court.

LaSalle College, founded in Montreal by Jean-Paul Morin in 1959, offers more than 60 programs to students.

LaSalle College fined $30M by Quebec for having too many students in English programs

 

[xmontrealer]

I left in 2005 and haven't returned except for the odd in & out business meeting.

My ex-wife, who was born in Montreal and grew up there, was back in Montreal a week ago for several days to visit old friends, and said the city is seriously deteriorating.

The Quebec language laws have caused far more harm than any protection they gave to the French culture.

 

[lomotil]

Cutting back on the transfer payments to Quebec is increasingly being mentioned by Alberta’s Premier.
Smith backed by Trump may use this issue of Québec’s receiving heavy transfer and continuing language intolerance as a wedge issue for separation.

 

[Valcazar]

Legault's not liking his polls and looking to stoke some fire in the "pissed-off nativist" vote.

 

[Frankfooter]

Cutting back on the transfer payments to Quebec is increasingly being mentioned by Alberta’s Premier.
Smith backed by Trump may use this issue of Québec’s receiving heavy transfer and continuing language intolerance as a wedge issue for separation.

The liberals don't get votes in Alberta votes but do in Quebec.
Not likely to happen.

 

[lomotil]

The liberals don't get votes in Alberta votes but do in Quebec.
Not likely to happen.

If Alberta and Saskatchewan keep moving closer and closer to working with Trump on annexation, Ottawa would have to figure out where to get funds to keep the transfer payments going to Quebec in the event that those two Western provinces quit Canada.
Quebec’s voting power due to the population size over Western Canada loses some significance if the Western provinces don’t stay in Confederation and Trump is a major game changer in Canada’s future now.
This is not lost on Quebec that is now paying a little more than lip service to the idea of transnational energy pipelines all of a sudden.

Quebec’s nationalistic policies like fining LaSalle College will not sit well the rest of Canada, especially Alberta which sees themselves as underwriting Quebec for years through transfer payments.

 

[Frankfooter]

If Alberta and Saskatchewan keep moving closer and closer to working with Trump on annexation, Ottawa would have to figure out where to get funds to keep the transfer payments going to Quebec in the event that those two Western provinces quit Canada.
Quebec’s voting power due to the population size over Western Canada loses some significance if the Western provinces don’t stay in Confederation and Trump is a major game changer in Canada’s future now.
This is not lost on Quebec that is now paying a little more than lip service to the idea of transnational energy pipelines all of a sudden.

Quebec’s nationalistic policies like fining LaSalle College will not sit well the rest of Canada, especially Alberta which sees themselves as underwriting Quebec for years through transfer payments.

We already went through this, the Alberta separation thing died after they realized that you can't separate and still claim CPP or federal benefits.

 

[canada-man]

 

[canada-man]

Controversial language law Bill 96 is 'destructive' and 'punishing' say protesters


Rebel News journalist Alexa Lavoie reports from Dorchester Square, where many Quebecers gathered to protest the province’s contentious language law, Bill 96. Enacted by François Legault’s CAQ government, the law aims to bolster the use of French in Quebec — but critics say it comes at a steep cost.

 

[canada-man]

from Grok

are visitors from Ontario to Quebec exempted from Quebec's French language laws?


Visitors from Ontario to Quebec are not explicitly exempted from Quebec's French language laws under the Charter of the French Language, but the application of these laws to tourists is limited.

The Charter primarily regulates businesses, public services, and residents, not individual visitors. As a tourist, you are not required to speak French or comply with language requirements in personal interactions. However, businesses you interact with (e.g., restaurants, shops) must adhere to the Charter, meaning signage, menus, and commercial documents must be in French, though English versions may also be available.

Public services may be offered in English in some cases, like for healthcare or justice, but this is not guaranteed. If you engage in commercial activities (e.g., selling products), you would need to comply with French labeling and signage rules. For casual tourism, the laws have minimal direct impact on you.