Montreal’s LaSalle College has been hit with a $30 million fine by the Quebec government for overstepping enrolment limits in its English-language programs over the past two academic years.The government claims LaSalle violated the province’s French Language Charter, Bill 101, as passed by Premier François Legault’s Coalition Avenir Québec (CAQ) government.The Charter’s amended Bill 96, An Act respecting French, the official and common language of Québec, states the province’s CEGEPs, or junior colleges, are only allowed to enroll a certain number of students in their English-language programs in order to prioritize French-language education.Confirmed by the college on Friday, fine stems from accusations outlined in a June 2024 letter from the Quebec Higher Education Ministry.The letter detailed that LaSalle surpassed its allowed English-program enrolment by 716 students in the 2023–2024 academic year..Quebec's aggressive language bill causing anglophiles distress.The ministry said it, “must recover the amount of subsidies paid in excess and collect the adjustment." The amount the ministry quoted, was $8,781,740.For the 2024–2025 academic year, the college enrolled 1,066 too many students in English programs, incurring an additional fine of $21,113,864.Simon Savignac, director of communications for the Higher Education Ministry, told CTV News on Friday that an “English-speaking student” refers to anyone enrolled in an English-taught program, regardless of their mother tongue or prior education.“Despite close monitoring and several warnings, LaSalle is the only subsidized college that continues to defy the French Language Charter and fail to comply with the law,” he said..Quebec passes controversial French language Bill-96 despite vigorous opposition.LaSalle College President Claude Marchand has warned that the fines threaten the institution’s survival.In a December 9, 2024, letter to Quebec Higher Education Minister Pascale Déry and French Language Minister Jean-François Roberge, Marchand acknowledged the college’s failure to meet the new legislative quotas for English-speaking students.He stated, “These penalties will inevitably lead to our insolvency and a default on our obligations to our banking syndicate, the Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec (CDPQ), and Export Development Canada, which will recall the $150 million granted to LCI Education.”The financial repercussions could have severe consequences, including disrupting the education of thousands of students, jeopardizing 736 jobs, and damaging the college’s international network.LaSalle is contesting the fine in Quebec Superior Court, arguing that the penalties are unsustainable.
