Quebec international students in English schools have nearly doubled in past 10 years
The number of Quebec international students attending English schools has nearly doubled over the past decade, according to provincial statistics, which suggests the rise was pushed by students whose families hold temporary residency permits.
Those parents, for example, may be here to work for a company or international organization for a short period, or they may be diplomats.
Data obtained by CTV News shows the number of students grew from about 2,200 in 2012 to more than 3,800 in 2022.
Last year, the vast majority of their students were from South Korea, India, the U.S., China and even France.
The number of students eligible to study English in Quebec based on temporary immigration status.
Unlike other categories of immigrants, such as asylum seekers, newcomers with a temporary residence permit are allowed to send their children to school in English because of a provision outlined in Bill 101. Russell Copeman, the head of the Quebec English school boards association, says it's a drop in the bucket in terms of Quebec's student population - about 3,000 students out of a million.
However, he said the number does have the added benefit of helping out the English school system, which lost 60 per cent of students since bill 101 was introduced.
"For many years, English school boards were managing that contraction," he said. "It's relatively stable over the last five years, but an influx of 3,200 students is not negligible in terms of the enrolmennt and the financing that brings and the services the school boards are able to offer. So, there's some positive aspects to having those 3200 students in our network in addition to enriching the school experience."
Copeman stressed that it's not a workaround for Bill 101. If the parents decide to stay in Quebec, and eventually apply for permanent residence status, the children would then have to attend French-language schools.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'Still so much love between us,' Sophie Gregoire Trudeau says of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau says there is 'still so much love' between her and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, as they navigate their post-separation relationship co-parenting their three children.
What to know about avian influenza in dairy cows and the risk to humans
Why is H5N1, or bird flu, a concern, how does it spread, and is there a vaccine? Here are the answers to some frequently asked questions about avian influenza.
'I was scared': Ontario man's car repossessed after missing two repair loan payments
An Ontario man who took out a loan to pay for auto repairs said his car was repossessed after he missed two payments.
opinion The special relationship between King Charles and the Princess of Wales
Royal commentator Afua Hagan writes that when King Charles recently admitted Catherine to the Order of the Companions of Honour, it not only made history, but it reinforced the strong bond between the King and his beloved daughter-in-law.
Pro-plastic lobbyist presence at UN talks is 'troubling,' say advocates
Environmentalist groups are sounding the alarm about a steep increase in the number of pro-plastic lobbyists at the UN pollution talks taking place this week.
'Too young to have breast cancer': Rates among young Canadian women rising
Breast cancer rates are rising in Canada among women in their 20s, 30s and 40s, according to research by the University of Ottawa (uOttawa).
Charlie Woods, son of Tiger, shoots 81 in U.S. Open qualifier
Charlie Woods failed to advance in a U.S. Open local qualifying event Thursday, shooting a 9-over 81 at Legacy Golf & Tennis Club.
$70M Lotto Max winners kept prize a secret from family for 2 months
During a special winner celebration near their hometown, Doug and Enid shared the story of how they discovered they were holding a Lotto Max ticket worth $70 million and how they kept this huge secret for so long.
Courteney Cox says her partner Johnny McDaid once broke up with her in therapy
Courteney Cox's longtime partner Johnny McDaid once broke up with her in a therapy session.