LaSalle College in Montreal is facing a potential shutdown just before the beginning of classes unless an agreement is reached with Quebec to alleviate its $48 million debt to the province. The college’s president, Claude Marchand, conveyed in a letter to Premier Christine Fréchette that seeking creditor protection may become necessary to prevent a complete closure.
The current financial challenges stem from fines totaling $29.9 million due to the college’s over-enrollment in English-language programs from 2023 to 2025. Additionally, Quebec is demanding the repayment of $17.9 million in provincial subsidies for the 2025-26 academic year.
Marchand criticized the fines imposed on the college as unjust and excessive, expressing concern over the government’s proposal to withhold $14.9 million in subsidy payments over the next two years, which he believes is unsustainable for the college’s operations.
He highlighted the absence of a two-year grace period following Quebec’s implementation of enrollment quotas on CEGEPs offering English-language programs as a significant issue. LaSalle College maintains that its English-language student enrollment has remained steady since 2019 and asserts that students exceeding the quota were admitted lawfully with government authorization.
The college is urging the government to reconsider the debt payment schedule to be more feasible and is requesting the appointment of an intermediary to expedite the resolution process. Marchand emphasized that the college seeks a framework that allows it to fulfill its obligations while continuing to serve the community.
The office of Education Minister Martine Biron declined to comment when contacted by Radio-Canada regarding the situation.