LaSalle College’s Shift to Part-Time Status Leaves Students in Uncertainty

In a significant move impacting numerous students, LaSalle College in Montreal has transitioned approximately 90 students from full-time to part-time status just weeks before the start of the academic year. This decision is a response to the college’s efforts to comply with Quebec’s language reform legislation, specifically the Charte de la langue française.

For students like Alex Abraham, who is set to begin his final year in the network management program, this abrupt change is a blow to his educational and career aspirations in Quebec. Abraham expressed his shock upon receiving the notification last week, stating, “We all came here with lots of expectations and dreams.” The implications of this change are profound, as part-time students do not qualify for Canada’s post-graduation work permit and face restrictions on off-campus employment.

Consequences of the Enrollment Shift

Abraham, who relies on a factory job to support himself while studying, is now concerned about his financial stability. “How can I meet my expenses? Suddenly changing my enrollment to part-time will obviously affect me very badly,” he said. The change was communicated in an email from the college, which noted that while they had the capacity to accommodate students as full-time, government-imposed quotas were the determining factor.

LaSalle College clarified that this adjustment is limited to the fall semester and is a direct response to exceeding enrollment quotas for English-language programs. According to a statement from spokesperson Caroline Gervais, the college is striving to remain compliant with the requirements of the Charte de la langue française and avoid further penalties. Last academic year, the college faced fines totaling $21,113,864 for enrolling 1,066 more students than allowed, on top of an earlier fine of $8.7 million, pushing their total penalty to nearly $30 million.

Challenges for International Students

Most of the affected students are international, with around 70 percent enrolled in English-language vocational programs. Abraham, who moved from India to pursue his education in Canada, highlighted the challenges he faces. “We are all putting in the effort to learn the [French] language and trying to build a career here. We like the Quebec culture, that’s why we are here,” he said.

Despite being aware of the college’s financial difficulties, Abraham did not expect his enrollment status would be changed without prior consultation. Gervais explained that various factors, including student performance and course availability, influenced the decision to alter enrollment statuses. She emphasized that this does not indicate an overall exceedance of the college’s AEC quota, but rather reflects specific scheduling and capacity issues.

The situation has raised significant concerns among students. Abraham stated he feels “randomly” selected for the shift, as he has not failed any classes nor deviated from his academic pathway. The college has arranged a meeting for affected students with representatives from Immigration Canada, where Abraham hopes to seek clarity about his situation. “I have the right to know the reason,” he noted, expressing dissatisfaction if the explanation hinges solely on the college’s financial issues. “I am not the reason for the fine,” he emphasized.

As LaSalle College navigates these compliance challenges, students remain caught in uncertainty, grappling with the potential impacts on their educational journeys and future career prospects in Quebec.