Quebec tuition hike: Concordia says it could lose up to 90% of out-of-province students
Montreal's Concordia University is warning of "devastating financial implications" if Quebec moves forward with a plan to double tuition for out-of-province students starting next fall.
In an internal message to the university community on Tuesday, Concordia president Graham Carr claimed the new $17,000 tuition for non-Quebec Canadian students — among the highest rates in the country — will price the school out of the domestic market, potentially gutting out-of-province undergraduate registration by up to 90 per cent.
As a result, Carr said the university is staring down an $8-million revenue loss when the hike takes effect for new students in the 2024-2025 academic year. After four years, as more incoming students are subject to the new tuition rate, the annual revenue loss could reach $32 million, he said.
"Clearly, the impact of the government’s new policies will dramatically affect our financial situation and shrink our student population," Carr's message reads. A "painstaking, program-by-program assessment" of the financial impact of the tuition increase is ongoing, but "whatever the detailed analyses eventually show us, the ramifications will be far-reaching and complex for our operations," he said.
Quebec's plan to charge universities $20,000 for each international student could inflict an additional $30-million blow to the university's finances in four years, Carr continued, resulting in a total annual loss of around $62 million — between nine and 10 per cent of the school's current budget.
Quebec's other English-language universities, McGill and Bishop's, have warned of similar consequences. Bishop's principal Sébastien Lebel-Grenier said last month that the new measures could slash the small Sherbrooke-Que. school's revenue by as much as one-fourth.
Despite the three universities' overtures to the provincial government, Carr said Tuesday Concordia has "received no indication to this point that the government is prepared to reconsider its actions."
Quebec's Higher Education Department said Wednesday morning it was unable to immediately provide a comment. But Premier François Legault stood by the measures on Monday, saying English schools' share of the province's university student population — 25 per cent, according to the premier — is "a bit too much."
The idea, he said, is to "stop the rise in the number of anglophone students in Quebec." He said he was willing to meet with the leaders of Bishop's, Concordia and McGill to hear their suggestions for alternative means to reach that goal.
In an emailed statement, Concordia University spokesperson Vannina Maestracci said the school will continue to update its community as it assesses the potential effects of the tuition change.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 1, 2023.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Judge in Trump's hush money trial threatened to throw witness out of court for behavior on stand
Michael Cohen testified Monday that he stole tens of thousands of dollars from his ex-boss Donald Trump’s company, an admission defence lawyers hope to use to undermine Cohen’s credibility.
What is BORG drinking, and why is it a dangerous trend? An expert explains
If you've been to a party lately and haven't seen someone drinking a BORG, you're likely not partying with college students.
The world's best airline is paying staff a bonus of 8 months' salary
Singapore Airlines will reward its employees with a bonus worth nearly eight months of salary, a person familiar with the matter told CNN on Friday.
Oilers win Game 7 over Canucks, advance to Western Conference Final
The Edmonton Oilers weathered a late Vancouver Canucks charge on Monday night, beating the hosts 3-2 to win their seven-game second-round playoff series in the decisive showdown.
McGill says pro-Palestinian protest outside senior administrator's home 'crosses the line'
McGill University has denounced a pro-Palestinian protest held Sunday outside the home of one of its senior administrators.
Red Lobster probes 'endless shrimp' losses after bankruptcy filing
U.S.-based restaurant chain Red Lobster has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in a Florida court after securing $100 million in financing commitments from its existing lenders, the company said on Sunday.
Katy Perry sings goodbye to 'American Idol'
Katy Perry said her goodbyes on 'American Idol' after seven seasons. On Sunday night’s live 'idol' season finale, a medley of Perry's hit songs were performed, including 'Teenage Dream,' 'Dark Horse' and 'California Gurls.'
Microsoft's AI chatbot will 'recall' everything you do on a PC
Microsoft wants laptop users to get so comfortable with its artificial intelligence chatbot that it will remember everything you're doing on your computer and help figure out what you want to do next.
Judge cites error, will reopen sentencing hearing for man who attacked Nancy Pelosi's husband
A federal judge will reopen the sentencing hearing for the man who broke into Nancy Pelosi's San Francisco home and bludgeoned her husband with a hammer after the judge failed to allow him to speak during his court appearance last week.