LaSalle College Adjusts Student Status Amid Quebec Language Quotas

Dozens of students at LaSalle College in Montreal have recently been informed of a sudden shift from full-time to part-time enrollment, less than a month before the start of the academic year. This decision comes as the college attempts to comply with the province’s language reform laws, specifically the Charte de la langue française, which imposes strict quotas on English-language programs.

Among those affected is Alex Abraham, a 33-year-old student in his final year of a network management program. He expressed disbelief and frustration upon receiving an email regarding this significant change. “I was shocked,” he stated, highlighting the impact this alteration could have on his career aspirations in Quebec. As a part-time student, Abraham faces restrictions that prevent him from obtaining a post-graduation work permit and working off-campus, complicating his financial situation dramatically.

The college has indicated that approximately 90 students are affected by this change, which is confined to the upcoming fall semester. In a statement, spokesperson Caroline Gervais clarified that the adjustments are necessary to align with government-imposed quotas on English-language AEC programs, which are vocational diplomas. The college previously exceeded its enrollment cap by over 1,000 students, resulting in fines totaling nearly $30 million.

During the 2024-25 academic year, LaSalle College’s English-language programs enrolled 1,066 more students than allowed, leading to a fine of $21.1 million. This penalty comes on top of an earlier fine of $8.7 million for the prior year, significantly impacting the institution’s financial standing. The college is currently contesting these fines in a civil suit filed in Quebec’s Superior Court.

Abraham, who moved to Canada from India, noted that he was drawn to the country for its better living standards and the opportunity to integrate into Quebec’s culture. He believed that LaSalle would find a solution to its quota issues, but the unilateral decision to change his enrollment status caught him off guard.

Gervais explained that the college’s capacity to accommodate students is influenced by various factors, including student performance and course availability. “This does not mean that LaSalle College exceeded its overall AEC quota,” she stated, emphasizing that the changes reflect the constraints of scheduling and program capacity within the quotas.

The situation has caused considerable anxiety among affected students, who fear for their academic futures. Those impacted, including Abraham, have been invited to a meeting with representatives from Immigration Canada to seek further clarification about their status. Abraham has expressed a desire for transparency, stating, “I have the right to know the reason.” He hopes the meeting will provide clarity beyond the college’s attempts to mitigate its financial penalties.

The office of Higher Education Minister Pascale Déry has refrained from commenting on the matter to avoid interfering with the ongoing legal process. As the new semester approaches, the uncertainty surrounding student enrollment status continues to loom over LaSalle College, leaving many to grapple with the implications of these changes on their educational and professional paths.