LaSalle College Shifts Students to Part-Time Status Amid Language Quotas

Students at LaSalle College in Montreal face uncertainty as the institution transitions dozens from full-time to part-time status just weeks before classes begin. The abrupt change is a response to the Quebec government’s language reform, specifically the Charte de la langue française, which imposes quotas on English-language vocational programs.

Alex Abraham, a 33-year-old student poised to enter his final year of the network management program, expressed his dismay at the decision. He received an email notifying him of his new part-time status, which jeopardizes his plans to build a career in Quebec. “I was shocked,” he said. “We all came here with lots of expectations and dreams.” This shift not only alters his academic trajectory but also affects his eligibility for Canada’s post-graduation work permit.

The college’s spokesperson, Caroline Gervais, confirmed that around 90 students are impacted by these changes, which are only applicable for the fall semester. In her statement, Gervais noted that the adjustments are necessary to ensure compliance with government-imposed quotas, following a significant over-enrollment in the previous academic year. The college exceeded its English-language program quota by 1,066 students in the 2024-25 academic year, resulting in a hefty fine of $21,113,864. This was in addition to a previous fine of $8.7 million, bringing the total financial liability to nearly $30 million.

In an email reviewed by CBC, LaSalle College explained that while it had the capacity to accommodate Abraham as a full-time student, it could not do so due to the government cap. “We understand that such changes can be stressful and disruptive,” Gervais stated, acknowledging the potential impact on students’ graduation timelines and immigration statuses.

Abraham, who relocated from India to pursue his education in Montreal, learned about LaSalle College through an agency. He emphasized the importance of his studies, stating, “We are all putting in the effort to learn the [French] language and also trying to build a career here.” The sudden alteration in his enrollment status has raised significant concerns about his financial stability, particularly as part-time students face restrictions on off-campus work.

Despite being aware of the college’s financial challenges, Abraham did not anticipate the unilateral change in his enrollment. Gervais clarified that various factors, including student performance and class availability, influenced the decision to shift students to part-time status. “This does not mean that LaSalle College exceeded its overall AEC quota,” she explained.

A spokesperson for Pascale Déry, Quebec’s Minister of Higher Education, declined to comment on the situation to avoid interfering with ongoing legal proceedings. LaSalle College is currently contesting the fines in Quebec’s Superior Court.

The college has scheduled a meeting for affected students with representatives from Immigration Canada, which Abraham hopes will clarify his situation. “I have the right to know the reason,” he stated, voicing his concerns that the changes may merely be a tactic to avoid further penalties. “I am not the reason for the fine. They did the wrong thing; they violated the rule,” he concluded.

As the situation unfolds, students like Abraham remain anxious about their futures in Quebec. The impact of these last-minute changes highlights the broader challenges facing educational institutions as they navigate compliance with government regulations while supporting their student populations.