LaSalle College Alters Student Status to Comply with Quebec Quotas

As classes approach, LaSalle College in Montreal has shifted dozens of students from full-time to part-time status to meet Quebec’s stringent language quotas. This decision, made less than a month before the academic year, has left many students, including Alex Abraham, grappling with unforeseen challenges that could derail their educational and career aspirations in the province.

Abraham, a 33-year-old student in his second and final year of a network management program, expressed shock at the abrupt change. “We all came here with lots of expectations and dreams,” he said after receiving the notification last week. The new part-time status means he will not qualify for Canada’s post-graduation work permit and will face restrictions working off-campus. “How can I meet my expenses?” he questioned, highlighting the financial strain the change imposes.

Impact of Legislative Compliance

LaSalle College has indicated that approximately 90 students are affected by this change, which pertains only to the upcoming fall semester. According to Caroline Gervais, a college spokesperson, the adjustments aim to ensure compliance with the Charte de la langue française and government-imposed quotas on English-language AEC programs, which are vocational post-secondary diplomas.

The college faced severe penalties for exceeding enrollment limits in previous years. During the 2024-25 academic year, LaSalle over-enrolled its English-language programs by 1,066 students, resulting in a fine of $21,113,864. This added to an existing penalty of $8.7 million from the previous year, bringing the college’s total fines to nearly $30 million. LaSalle College is currently contesting these fines in Quebec’s Superior Court.

Abraham, who learned about LaSalle through an agency while living in India, explained that he chose Quebec for its quality of life and cultural offerings. “We are all putting the effort to learn the [French] language and trying to build a career here,” he said, emphasizing his commitment to adapting to local norms and expectations.

Concerns Over Academic Pathways

While Gervais acknowledged that changes in student performance and academic pathways influenced the college’s decisions, she noted that not all students impacted had failed or deviated from their original programs. In Abraham’s case, the college clarified that his change in status was unrelated to his academic performance. This left him feeling uncertain about the criteria used to determine which students would be affected.

In an effort to address the students’ concerns, LaSalle College arranged a meeting with representatives from Immigration Canada and college officials. Abraham expressed hope that the meeting would clarify his situation and provide answers about the rationale behind the change. “I have the right to know the reason,” he stated, voicing his dissatisfaction with the possibility that the school’s decisions were merely an attempt to mitigate further fines.

As students navigate this unexpected transition, the implications of Quebec’s language policies continue to ripple through educational institutions. With the pressure to comply with regulations, LaSalle College’s administration faces the challenge of balancing legal obligations against the needs and expectations of its diverse student body.