Quebec's education minister has a warning for protesting students: don't expect a free pass on classes.
Francois Blais said on Tuesday that the provincial government will not provide any extra funding so students who boycott university and CEGEP classes will be able to take them at a later date.
That means student associations that vote not to go to class will risk a rash of failed courses.
In 2012, the student protest movement was so broad the government decided to extend the semester, but Blais says the provincial government's budget will not allow a repeat of that scenario.
Blais said it is not fair that the five to seven percent of students who are boycotting courses would be able to cancel classes for the thousands of students who want to receive an education.
He said education is a right, and that "nobody can impede anyone from studying."
The minister is calling on universities and CEGEPs to use their authority and power to sanction protesters who disrupt classes, if necessary.
He also said the best way to resolve the movement is for students who normally ignore student associations to attend assemblies and vote against demonstrations.
With a file from The Canadian Press
