Quebec strikes French-language deal with English universities
The voluntary deal will fund French courses and immersion activities, with McGill and Concordia facing $1,500 penalties per student if they miss the target.
- On Tuesday, the Quebec government announced a deal providing about $20 million annually to McGill, Concordia, and Bishop's to increase the percentage of out-of-province students capable of basic French conversation.
- This agreement follows recent conflicts between McGill, Concordia, and the province regarding a 33-per-cent tuition hike that raised annual fees for out-of-province students from around $9,000 to $12,000.
- Under the plan, the three universities must ensure 60 per cent of out-of-province graduates achieve level-four French proficiency. McGill president Deep Saini said funding will support additional French-language classes and immersion activities.
- Starting in the 2029-2030 school year, McGill and Concordia will face a $1,500 penalty per student if they fail to reach the French-proficiency target. Bishop's is exempt from these penalties.
- Higher Education Minister Martine Biron stated that reducing the number of non-francophone students is no longer a goal of the Coalition Avenir Quebec government. The initiative now focuses on helping protect and promote French.
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At least 60% of "non-Quebec" students in English-speaking universities will have to reach level 4 on a competency scale.
Quebec reaches French-language deal with English universities, promises about $20M per year
The Quebec government says it has reached a deal with the province's English-language universities to increase the percentage of out-of-province students who are capable of having basic conversations in French by the time they complete undergraduate degrees
The Toronto Star
Quebec strikes French-language deal with English universities after years of tension
The deal is meant to increase the percentage of out-of-province students who are capable of having basic conversations in French by the time they complete undergraduate degrees.
Presented as a "voluntary partnership" but with penalties of $1500 per student, a new program in Quebec City will allow the three English-speaking universities to set up up up to $20 million per year for the francization of non-Quebec students.
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