McGill University wants your money-as much of it as possible-and the Quebec government is taking steps to make sure they get it. After lifting the tuition freeze on Quebec student fees last year, the provincial government has taken gradual steps to shift the fiscal responsibility for universities from the public to the private domain. The latest step in this policy shift came earlier this month, when Minister of Education Michelle Courchesne announced that tuition fees for international students in six disciplines would be completely deregulated, giving universities the freedom to determine how much international students will pay. While the Tribune opposes complete deregulation of tuition, it does recognize that a Canadian education is still an affordable alternative when compared to international fees in countries like Britain (where international tuition can cost anywhere from $8,000 to $35,000 per year) or the United States.
What we don't understand is the current exemption policy for French citizens, which lets them pay Quebec tuition rates. Quebec has not been a French territory since 1763. Currently, a student from a country halfway around the world pays lower tuition than one from Hawkesbury, Ontario (which sits on the other side of a two mile bridge that straddles the border with Quebec), irrespective of their fluency in French. The Quebec tuition rate is also available to some students from more than 40 other countires-including Algeria, Burkina Faso, Luxembourg, and Vietnam-under a similar policy. These are just some of the many mysteries of Quebec's bizarre post-colonial relationship with France. These policies make even less sense when applied to Anglophone universities like McGill, where French students don't enjoy the language advantage that they would at a Francophone institution.
The Tribune understands that low tuition rates help attract French-speakers, who contribute to a vibrant and distinctive Francophone culture in Quebec. But to remove the limits on international tuition, which is already almost 15 times higher than Quebec tuition, while continuing to subsidize the education of French citizens is simply unfair. It's brazenly hypocritical to claim that international tuition in Quebec is underpriced, while simultaneously claiming that discounted tuition rates are necessary to attract French citizens.
It's time to stop the freeloading. At the very least French citizens should be charged Canadian tuition rates. This would reserve the discounted Quebec tuition rate for those who actually deserve it: Quebecers.
Viewing Comments 1 - 4 of 4
Claude Dennery
posted 11/18/08 @ 12:40 PM EST
The opinion posted on special French tuition is myopic and illogical on several levels. First of all, after years living in France, as well as being an avid admirer of Quebec, and Canada at large, there is a disconnect within the logic this writer proffered regarding French student admissions. (Continued…)
James
posted 11/18/08 @ 2:49 PM EST
Mr Dennery,
What you say about the need for universities such as McGill to attract talent and maintain semi-permeable walls to take advantage of "this ever-emerging global economy is logical. (Continued…)
jules testard
posted 8/27/10 @ 10:51 AM EST
You must not forget that this agreement that was issued regarding french citizens is bilateral. The Quebecers enjoy the same advantage in French Universities. (Continued…)
jules testard
posted 8/28/10 @ 1:13 PM EST
You must not forget that this agreement that was issued regarding french citizens is bilateral. The Quebecers enjoy the same advantage in French Universities. (Continued…)
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