Students at LaSalle College in Montreal were gearing up for the new school year but instead found themselves preparing for a protest. Maynard McKinnon, a second-year fashion design student, expressed frustration over the lack of transparency following the suspension of classes due to the college seeking creditor protection. LaSalle College faces substantial penalties for exceeding student enrollment quotas in English programs and has been asked to repay provincial subsidies.
The sudden class suspension caught many students off guard, with McKinnon mentioning that students learned about it through social media or news outlets rather than official communication from the school. The uncertainty stemming from the college’s dispute with the government is causing stress for students.
International student Victoria Garcia Pinheiro, a third-year fashion marketing student from Brazil, shared her anxiety over the situation, highlighting the impact on her studies, investment in learning French, and concerns about her immigration status tied to the school. She expressed hope for a swift resolution to the ongoing crisis.
McKinnon noted that this is not the first time students have been affected by such disputes, recalling a similar incident from the previous year. They emphasized that both the college and the government bear responsibility for the predicament, with students bearing the brunt of the consequences.
Claude Marchand, LaSalle College’s general director, acknowledged the students’ predicament, stating that seeking creditor protection was necessary to safeguard the institution and students’ academic journeys. The college’s reliance on government funding and the need to avert a significant fine were cited as reasons for the decision.
Finance Minister Eric Girard emphasized the government’s commitment to resolving the situation, stating that discussions were ongoing. Marchand expressed hope for classes to resume soon pending a decision from Premier Christine Fréchette. A spokesperson for the higher education minister declined to comment on the matter at present.