Walking through the busy corridors of LaSalle College in downtown Montreal last week, I couldn’t help but notice the international character that has defined this institution for decades. Students from over 110 countries chatting in a symphony of languages that has been the college’s trademark since 1959. But behind this vibrant atmosphere looms a $30 million financial crisis triggered by Quebec’s controversial language laws.
LaSalle College now finds itself locked in a heated dispute with the Quebec government after being informed it would lose approximately $30 million in annual subsidies for allegedly failing to comply with Bill 96, the province’s strengthened French language legislation.
“This isn’t just about funding—it’s about survival,” explains Michel Fragasso, Vice-President of LaSalle College. During our conversation in his office overlooking the campus, Fragasso showed me documentation of their compliance efforts. “We’ve invested heavily in French language programs and services. To have that dismissed so suddenly leaves over 5,000 students in limbo.”
The crisis erupted when Quebec’s Higher Education Ministry determined the college wasn’t meeting French language requirements and announced the subsidy cuts would take effect immediately. This decision followed a compliance review that the college administration claims was flawed and rushed.
Karine LeBel, spokesperson for Higher Education Minister Pascale DĂ©ry, defended the government’s position in an email statement: “Educational institutions receiving public funds must demonstrate clear commitment to preserving and promoting French as Quebec’s official language.” She cited specific documentation deficiencies but declined to elaborate on the exact criteria used in the evaluation.
The ripple effects are already being felt. International student Ananya Sharma from India, studying fashion design, expressed her concerns during a campus interview: “I chose Montreal specifically because I could improve my French while getting a quality education. Now we’re all worried about tuition increases or program cuts.”
Quebec’s Bill 96, passed in 2022, represents the province’s most substantial French language reform in decades. It amended the Charter of the French Language, expanding French requirements across numerous sectors including education, business, and government services.
The legislation has been particularly contentious in Montreal, Quebec’s most linguistically diverse city, where approximately 45% of residents speak both French and English according to Statistics Canada’s 2021 language survey.
What makes LaSalle’s situation particularly thorny is that as a private college, it operates differently from Quebec’s public CEGEPs but still relies heavily on government subsidies to maintain affordable tuition rates and extensive student services.
During my visit to the campus cafeteria, I overheard animated discussions among faculty members concerned about potential program closures. Professor Jean-Philippe Tremblay, who teaches business administration, didn’t mince words: “We’re being punished for our international approach when we should be celebrated for bringing students to Quebec who learn French and often stay to contribute to our economy.”
The college has launched a legal challenge against the government’s decision, arguing that they’ve made significant efforts to comply with Bill 96 requirements, including expanding French language course offerings and services. Their court filing, which I reviewed, details over $2 million invested in French language infrastructure since 2022.
Education analyst Sophie Bergeron from the Montreal Economic Institute points to broader implications: “This dispute reflects the tension between Quebec’s legitimate desire to protect French and the practical realities of operating in a global education marketplace. There needs to be balance.”
The economic stakes extend beyond the campus. LaSalle College generates approximately $150 million annually for the local economy through student spending, employment, and related services according to their economic impact report published last year.
Community support for the college has been swift. A petition launched by alumni has gathered over 15,000 signatures in just one week. Local businesses displaying “Support LaSalle College” signs have appeared throughout the neighborhood, where many international students rent apartments and frequent shops.
“If we lose these students, I lose 30% of my business,” explains Fatima Benali, who owns a small cafĂ© across from the campus. Her establishment has become something of an informal meeting place for those organizing to support the college.
The dispute has also reignited debate about the practical application of Quebec’s language laws. While polls consistently show strong support among Quebecers for protecting French, implementation questions remain divisive. A recent LĂ©ger survey found 68% of Quebecers support French language protection measures, but only 42% approve of how Bill 96 is being implemented.
For now, LaSalle College has assured current students that their programs will continue without interruption while the legal process unfolds. The administration has established emergency financial reserves to bridge the immediate funding gap.
“We’ve weathered challenges before,” Fragasso told me as we concluded our interview. “But this strikes at the heart of our identity as an institution that brings the world to Quebec while helping Quebec reach the world.”
As I left campus, a group of students was planning a weekend rally at Place du Canada. Their hand-made signs, interestingly, were written in both French and English—perhaps the most fitting symbol of the complex linguistic balancing act that defines not just this college, but Montreal itself.
