The debate sparked by the financial measures announced by Higher Education Minister Déry last week has gotten off to a bad start. We respond positively to this announcement, but believe it is necessary to refocus the discussion on the real problem: the chronic underfunding of our French-speaking universities.
First of all, let us recall that in 2018 the government ended the practice of equitably distributing all income of international students between university institutions and canceled the subsidies provided to universities for the same students. Prior to this change, all institutions transferred increased tuition fees for international students to the Quebec government. He then ensured that this envelope was distributed to the universities.
By repealing this measure, the government allowed universities to charge international students whatever amount they saw fit and keep all revenue. Given Quebec’s geographical proximity to the United States and the greater ability of English-speaking international students to pay, this raised fears of a significant imbalance in the finances of Quebec universities.
The government then committed to assessing the short and medium-term impact on universities and making adjustments or reforms if necessary. Five years later, we have to admit that the fears expressed at the time have proven to be true. In fact, deregulation has contributed to the concentration of international student earnings in a few universities. Between 2019 and 2022, despite a significant increase in the number of international students at all universities, Quebec’s three English-speaking universities generated 70% of total revenue from international students, while only 38% of these students are enrolled in one of these establishments. In return, the 16 other universities, which host 62% of international students, shared 30% of the revenue.
Measures
In response to this situation, the Minister announced measures setting a minimum tuition price for international students at approximately $20,000 and for Canadian students outside Quebec at approximately $17,000, with numerous exceptions. These measures also envisage that part of these students’ tuition fees will be redistributed to university institutions, particularly French-speaking ones. We are also reintroducing subsidies for Quebec universities by giving them the ability to adjust tuition fees based on their recruitment pool. Also note that students enrolled in research programs will not be affected by these new measures, regardless of whether they are international or Canadian.
While the impact of increasing tuition fees for Canadian students outside Quebec is yet to be estimated, keep in mind that in the vast majority of cases, tuition fees for international students are already higher than the announced minimum price. Our universities in Quebec therefore remain internationally attractive, regardless of whether they return to their country of origin after completing their studies or whether they immigrate and permanently integrate into our community.
In order to meet the glaring need for workers and to enable French-speaking universities to contribute even more to the social, scientific, cultural and economic development of Quebec, a realignment of the revenues of all universities is necessary.
gap
Finally, we would like to recall that there is still a significant gap between Ontario and Quebec in the proportion of people with a university degree. In Quebec, French speakers still have less access to university than others. More than ever, the French-speaking public network is mobilized to fill this significant gap and meet the needs of Quebec’s population.
Alexandre Cloutier, President of the University of Quebec
Stéphane Pallage, Rector, UQAM
Christian Blanchette, Rector, UQTR
Ghislain Samson, Rector, UQAC
François Deschenes, Rector, UQAR
Murielle Laberge, Rector, UQO
Vincent Rousson, Rector, UQAT
Luc Alain Giraldeau, Director General, INRS
Hugo Cyr, Director General, ENAP
François Gagnon, Director General, ETS
Lucie Laflamme, Director General of TÉLUQ University