Quebec CEGEPs are crying foul over Bill 44, which changes the way the colleges are run.
The province says the bill improves governance, but CEGEPS argue that it reduces independence and adds costs and red tape.
The Quebec federation of CEGEPS was the first group to voice its concerns Tuesday before a legislature committee in Quebec City.
The Liberal government tabled the bill following financial scandals at universities including UQAM.
Education Minister Michelle Courchesne says the new law would increase accountability and transparency at CEGEPS.
The law would:
- Require that CEGEPS consult students and staff on financial and strategic plans:
- The institutions would have to hold annual public consultations on the CEGEP's goals and objectives:
- Schools would be required to post their academic results and ethics rules online:
- Each CEGEP's 11-member board of directors would be mandated to have eight members from outside the school.
The Liberals have also tabled a similar bill to govern universities.
Anglo CEGEPs react
The Quebec Federation of CEGEPs and Montreal's four English CEGEPs have already issued separate statements calling for major changes to the bill.
They challenge the education department's assertion that the eight outside board members would be independent. They allege that those members would in fact be appointed by the department itself.
The English CEGEPS also say their anglophone character would be threatened by the move.
"This would essentially close the door on the anglophone colleges' ability to appoint members who share ... a common vision and understanding of the English-minority experience in Quebec," the schools said in a statement earlier this week.
Too Expensive, Federation says
The CEGEP federation says the proposed law would require schools to create oversight bodies that would add $15 million to annual global CEGEP budgets.
It claims the bill would require every single school to hire an internal auditor, at a total cost to the system of $9 million per year.
