CTV News Montreal

Updated: Fri Jan. 27 2012 4:47:48 PM

ctvmontreal.ca

MONTREAL — University and CEGEP students opposed to tuition fee hikes protested Friday morning outside the Montreal offices of the Ministry of Education.

About 100 student protesters created a human barricade outside the Montreal offices of the Education Department.

They said they would stay there until the Charest government dropped plans to increase tuition fees.

"We'll be blocking the outside of the building to demonstrate to the government of Jean Charest that for as long as he plans to be blocking access to higher education, we'll be blocking things in Quebec,'' said Gabriel Nadeau-Dubois, spokesman for a student protest group.

Police officers were observing the scene, but there were no clashes between police and students, as happened at several protests last year.

The students moved on at around 10 a.m., leaving the building at 600 Fullum St. and marching downtown.

The protest was organized by the Association for Solidarity Student Union (ASSE).

Some members are so opposed to the tuition fee hikes, which will see the cost of university rise by $325 per year for the next five years, that they are calling for a general strike.

Quebec currently has the lowest university tuition fees in the country, and even after the tuition hikes will have fees lower than the average.

In-province students pay an average of $2,168 per year. The planned increases would bring Quebec's undergrad fees to $3,793, far less than the national average of $5,138.

Comments are now closed for this story

morgan
What a bunch of coddled babies...
whine,whine,whine....If you use the service, you pay for the service. Where do they come off thinking that society owes them an education....This is not a right..you are in university because 1. you want to further your education or 2. you can't get a job. Either way, you pay...

CD
I think I want to start my own protest...it will be called 'Stop the protests, Go back to school/work and stop whining'

I defy these people to find cheaper education elsewhere, and when/if they do, then go study there!

Student
As a student who will have to pay these same fees, it’s ridiculous that people are protesting a simple 325$ increase. By all means, I do not come from a house of money what so ever, I work 2 jobs just so I can help out. I make double this in a week while balancing a full course load.
Here's a tip fellow students, quit wasting your money on things that are not necessary (clothes, going out, etc). We are spoiled enough as is to live how we do already. I have friends from out of province whose fees are raised by 500-800$! So if post-secondary education is your goal, accept the fact that it comes with a price. It might be an extra couple hours a week at work, but in the end it will all be worth it.

Tea D
As a full time student I would prefer to see the student fees (athletics, unions, admin etc) not increase and that more of them be optional. These mandatory fees added up to over $600 this semester.

Skibble5150
People in this City just loooooove to protest.

It's so fashionable to have a cause, isn't it?

Angloman
@private
The fees now are the same as when I went to school. Which is stupid.

Honest govts would slowly raise the fees every yeoar in keeping with inflation (heehee hee). Instead we get this jump from ludicrously cheap to still damn reasonable over five years.


Trururururruussssstttt meee! When youre earning nearly 100 grand a year you will look back at yourself and laugh and laugh that you were so naive.

private
@Angloman, R. , Cyberdude

I guess when you went to university, the price was great for you. Other tax payers were paid for your education. Just imagine these fees went up at the time you were going school, you would probably do the same.

Bob
Should these students not wish to pay higher tuition fees next year and the following years, let them tell their CEGEPS and Universities so that they can be dropped at the end of their current year. It is not their right to go after what they have paid for this year unless they want to pay what is asked. Very very simple solution.

Ron S
These Tuition Fees have not been raised in years and the taxpayer cannot afford to have more tax increases either. We still have the cheapest fees in North America; so stop crying about a few hundred dollars per year that will provide you with thousands more per year in salary when you start working.

I doubt that any of you wopuld be satisfied if the businesses that will eventually employ you freeze their starting salaries every year tuition doesn't increase. Neither of thses propositions make any sense so why not be willing to invest in your own futures.

steve
quit school and get a job

James
A university education is not a right and it is definitely not a requirement to have a decent living. Most of my cousins have done quite well for themselves with only trade school or cegep eductaion. And they are all around 20-30 years old. You just have to pick something your good at that's in demand and work hard at it. Dawson College has a lot of really good 3 year technical programs.

KBC
It's the same thing everytime there is a tuition increase. We have the lowest tuition fees across the country and students are still complaining. Instead of protesting, it would be much better to use that time to see where you can save up. Get a part-time job and cut down your expenses. When enrolling in a program, you know approximately how much your tuition costs. If you don't, then it's your fault for not figuring out the numbers. The same applies to international students. Tuition will increase sooner or later, so learn to deal with it. And authorize protests? I'm sure these "Unions" have nothing better to do...

Angloman
If they were getting a good education, they would realize that they're getting a good deal, am I rite?

R.
Post Secondary or University Education is not a "God Given Right"!! Up to and including High School is a Right - after that - students must pay their fair share of tution. From what I've read, the fees haven't changed very much since I graduated from University back in 1969 - RIDICULOUS! If these moaners want a decent education then, they must be prepared to PAY FOR IT - if necessary - Student Loans - Etc. If not, the quality of professors will deteriorate as the Centres for Higher Learner will not be in a position to afford the very best. Is this what these ingrates want - OR - are they expecting funding to be placed on the backs of the tax payers - I think not!

If these are our leaders of tomorrow, we're in big trouble - stop expecting hand outs and, FEND FOR YOURSELVES OR STAY AT HOME!!

Cyberdude
Post-secondary education is NOT a right. And in a time where taxpayers are being asked to give more and more...and are receiving less and less, our whining students better get it through their highly-educated heads that they HAVE a fantastic deal in this province and they better not mess it up!