Maple News reports that starting in 2024, Quebec will roll out significant reforms to its post-secondary education and immigration systems, with major implications for both international and out-of-province students. The changes form part of the province’s broader effort to protect and promote the French language, according to provincial officials.
One of the most controversial reforms involves a substantial tuition increase for students attending Quebec’s English-language universities—McGill University, Concordia University, and Bishop’s University. Beginning in the fall of 2024, new international students and Canadian students from outside Quebec will see their tuition roughly double, rising from approximately $9,000 to $17,000 per year. Current students and PhD candidates will be exempt from this increase.
Quebec Premier François Legault describes the move as part of a broader strategy to reverse the perceived decline of the French language within the province. Higher Education Minister Pascale Déry also emphasized that the additional funds from higher tuition will support French-language universities, even as she acknowledged the likelihood of reduced enrollment at the province’s English institutions.
In parallel, Quebec is revising its Programme de l’expérience Québécoise (PEQ), a key immigration pathway for international graduates. Under the new rules, francophone students and those who have completed their studies in French will be eligible for a fast-track to permanent residency without the need to first complete 12 to 18 months of work experience. This reform benefits those who already demonstrate strong integration into Quebec’s French-speaking society.
Benoit Dubreuil, Quebec’s commissioner of the French language, stated that these changes reflect the government’s commitment to requiring French proficiency in nearly all economic immigration programs. “We want people who live in Quebec to integrate in French,” he said.
Maple News notes that these policy shifts are likely to influence enrollment patterns in Quebec’s universities, as the combined effect of higher tuition and shifting immigration incentives may deter non-francophone students, particularly from non-French-speaking countries, from choosing Quebec as their academic destination. On the other hand, French-speaking international students may find Quebec increasingly attractive.
While these reforms aim to strengthen Quebec’s linguistic and cultural identity, critics argue they could undermine the province’s competitiveness in attracting top international talent. Institutions like McGill and Concordia have voiced concerns about the long-term implications for academic diversity and research output.
As Quebec balances linguistic preservation with its educational and economic goals, these upcoming changes will be closely monitored across Canadian higher education and immigration sectors.