Quebec fines LaSalle College $30 million for having too many English-speaking students
The province accuses the college of contravening the province's French Language Charter, as amended by the Coalition Avenir Québec government's Bill 96. The legislation limits the number of students that CEGEPs are permitted to enrol in their English-language programs.
The fines threaten the future of the college, its administration says.
In a letter to LaSalle College dated June 28, 2024, Quebec's department of higher education said the school was surpassing its cap of 716 English-program students for the 2023-24 academic year. The college, it said, has to reimburse $8.78 million in excess public subsidies it received.
The ministry accused the college of surpassing its English-language cap by 1,066 students for the 2024-25 academic year and ordered the college to pay back $21.11 million.
The college says it is contesting the fine in the Quebec Superior Court.
The college, which has campuses in downtown Montreal and Laval, was founded in Montreal in 1959. It is a private and subsidized institution offering college and pre-university programs.
This story was originally published
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Montreal Gazette
an hour ago
- Montreal Gazette
Quebec's English school boards to mount legal fight over budget cuts
By English school boards in Quebec plan to challenge the province's new education funding rules in court, calling them unconstitutional and unworkable. The cuts, which were initially announced in June, could force boards to cancel programs, reduce special education services, or even close schools, said Joe Ortona, president of the Quebec English School Boards Association. Ortona said at the centre of the dispute is Quebec's move to block boards from accessing their accumulated budget surpluses. The funds were saved for future needs and belong to the boards, not the province. 'That money belongs to us,' he said. While the province hasn't said it will take the money back, the uncertainty has left boards cautious. 'We've learned to expect anything from this government.' The new funding rules also introduce what Ortona called 'unrealistic and arbitrary' conditions. For example, one limit he described was how many staff boards can hire. This comes despite the period for staffing already being finalized in May under union agreements. 'Many boards can't meet the staffing cap without breaking union contracts,' he added. Ortona also warned the rules could force cuts to support staff and student services. Areas already under pressure, such as speech therapy, psychological services, and tutoring, could face deeper reductions. A legal challenge is being prepared and is expected to be filed before the school year begins. He said some boards have already signed on, while others are reviewing their finances before joining. 'We've been working with our lawyers since these cuts were announced,' Ortona said. 'We're trying to protect our right to deliver the services students need.' He did not provide further details about the legal action, saying it would be premature to comment.
Winnipeg Free Press
7 hours ago
- Winnipeg Free Press
Cameroon's election board bars main opposition candidate from presidential race
YAOUNDE, Cameroon (AP) — Cameroon 's electoral commission on Saturday rejected the candidacy of Maurice Kamto in the upcoming presidential election, fueling fears of unrest and increasing the likelihood of another Biya victory. Kamto, a former government minister, is seen as the main challenger to long-serving President Paul Biya. The electoral commission, ELECAM, said it approved 13 presidential candidates, excluding Kamto. No reason was given. Biya is included. Kamto, who has two days to appeal, was considered Biya's strongest rival in past elections. He came second during the last presidential election in 2018 with 14% of the vote, while Biya cruised to victory with over 70% in an election marred by irregularities and a low turnout. Biya, 92, the world's oldest serving head of state, said last month he would seek reelection on Oct. 12 despite rumors that his health is failing. He has been in power since 1982, nearly half his lifetime. Biya's rule has left a lasting impact on Cameroon. His government has faced various challenges, including allegations of corruption and a deadly secessionist conflict in the nation's English-speaking provinces that has forced thousands out of school. Fears of protests and unrest surged around Saturday's release of the list of approved candidates. Security forces were deployed around the ELECAM headquarters and along major roads in Yaoundé, the capital, and in Douala, the economic hub. The United Nations Department of Safety and Security had warned Friday that the announcement could trigger protests in the capital.
Montreal Gazette
8 hours ago
- Montreal Gazette
Montreal church to be slapped with fine after hosting pro-Trump singer without permit, city says
By The City of Montreal says it will issue a fine to the church that hosted Sean Feucht, a pro-Trump Christian singer, on Friday night, after warning the venue in advance it did not have the proper permit for a concert. A spokesperson for Montreal Mayor Valérie Plante said a statement of offence will be handed to Église MR, where Feucht performed as part of his 'Revive in 25' tour. Catherine Cadotte said the church defied a warning from borough inspectors, who had visited the Spanish-speaking church on Roy St. with Montreal police earlier in the day. 'The church did not have a permit to organize a concert,' she said. 'A statement of offence will be issued since the organization violated the regulations.' Asked by The Gazette if that includes a monetary fine, she replied: 'Yes.' Before the event, however, Feucht told media 'this not a performance, it's a church service.' Feucht, who is outspoken about his support for U.S. President Donald Trump and a former worship leader, has drawn criticism across Canada for his views on abortion, gender identity and LGBTQ2+ rights. Before Friday's event began, several police officers briefly entered the church, but later confirmed the show would proceed. As Feucht's supporters began arriving, local activists gathered in front of the church, chanting anti-Trump and anti-fascism slogans. It sparked a heavy police presence. Montreal Police is entering the church where Christian singer Sean Feucht is due to perform. The city of Montreal has said it must not go ahead due to not having the right permits. — Harry North (@hsnorth_) July 25, 2025 At least one protester was arrested. A second confrontation, involving a journalist from Rebel News, prompted police to intervene and separate the crowd. Inside the church, a few dozen people sang and prayed while a row of police officers kept watch outside. The protest crowd outside the church had thinned by 8:30 p.m. The Montreal concert followed a string of cancellations across Canada. Cities including Halifax, Charlottetown, Quebec City and Vaughan pulled permits, citing public safety concerns. In Miramichi, N.B., a last-minute concert held at a private campground drew criticism from the property's owners, who said the event was unauthorized and 'not aligned with our values.' Montreal Police quickly intervene between a counter-protester to the Sean Feucht concert and the Rebel News team — Harry North (@hsnorth_) July 25, 2025 Feucht has framed the backlash as a violation of religious freedom, saying: 'If I had shown up with purple hair and a dress, claiming to be a woman, the government wouldn't have said a word.'
