- By how much is the tuition fee increasing?
The Quebec Government is set to increase tuition fees by 75% over five years (from 2012 to 2017), for a total of $1625, starting with an increase 325$ this fall.
- Why is that a problem?
Such an increase would deny 30,000 students from low-income families and other socioeconomic groups their right to education based on merit. See GSA website for more details.
- How can we stop the increase?
On November 10 2011, over 200,000 students including 24,000 at Concordia (ASFA & GSA members) went on strike! We were over 30,000 walking the streets of Montreal protesting the hikes. Prior to that, students engaged in a number of demonstrations and actions to protest against the strike. But clearly we need to do more! Students across the province are planning a general strike to pressure the government this winter semester. As of today, 11,000 students are already on unlimited strike, and 10,000 more have a strike mandate and will join the general strike in less than a week. It is time we all discuss our options!
- Why should we strike? 23 answers for students.
Consult the research document on why we need to fight against the tuition hikes, why strikes have been effective in the past, and what a strike would mean for you.
- Do we really need to raise tuition fees?
Make sure no one is presenting you misleading arguments. Check out: Do we really need to raise tuition fees: Eight misleading arguments for the hikes - a publication of IRIS (Institute of Research and Socio-Economic Information).
- Commodification of Education?
A thoroughly researched presentation by Martin Robert on the context of the tuition fee hikes – the so-called austerity measures in Quebec and across the world.
- Why does it make sense to ask for tuition freeze or to even have “free education”?
Eliminating tuition fees is economically viable and socially just. Check out the details on Post-secondary Education: Should We Charge Tuition, or Have Free Education?
- What can I do?
Go to General Assembly (GA)/Special General Meeting (SGM), if one is organized by your department and/or faculty and have your say! If none is organised, get in touch with the mobilization folks in your campus (Concordia mob squad /McGill mob squad).
Please refer to the Free Education Montreal’s Library page for a host of other relevant sources both in English and French.
Other important sources for information on tuition fee increases and the background are also found at Tuition Truth and Bloquons la Hausse. Also see http://quebectuitionfees.ca/
And here’s a bonus:
For an in depth report, check out this comprehensive guide about the hikes, released by the FEUQ (Fédération étudiant Universitaire au Québec). It’s a heavy document, but it’s a great resource. The national campaign is being run by all of Quebec’s student associations: FEUQ/FECQ, ASSÉ, and TaCEQ. Don’t sweat the acronyms, just remember that we’re all in this together, across Quebec.
Figure 7: Progression of the student bill from 1968 to 2016
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