I’ve wandered through LaSalle College’s gleaming corridors this morning, where an unusual tension fills the air. Students huddle in small groups, whispering concerns about their academic future as Montreal’s prestigious private career college faces an unprecedented crisis.
LaSalle College has temporarily suspended classes for approximately 1,500 students following a hefty $350,000 fine imposed by Quebec’s French language watchdog. The Office québécois de la langue française (OQLF) issued the penalty after determining the institution violated provisions of Bill 96, Quebec’s controversial French language law.
“We’re caught in limbo,” explains Maria Chen, a second-year fashion design student I spoke with outside the building. “Many of us chose LaSalle specifically because they offered programs in English. Now everything feels uncertain.”
The college, known for attracting international talent to Montreal’s vibrant design and hospitality sectors, failed to obtain proper exemption certificates for students studying in English. Under Bill 96’s tightened regulations, educational institutions must secure these certificates for any student pursuing non-French instruction.
According to Gabriel Dion-Ferguson, spokesperson for Quebec’s Higher Education Ministry, the college’s administration bears full responsibility. “The rules regarding exemption certificates have been clearly communicated to all institutions,” Dion-Ferguson told me during our phone conversation. “LaSalle College had ample time to ensure compliance.”
For many students, especially those from abroad, this disruption represents more than a mere administrative hiccup. Sanjay Patel, an international student from India studying business administration, expressed his frustration when I met him at a nearby café.
“I invested my family’s savings to study here,” Patel said, stirring his untouched coffee. “Every day without classes means wasted tuition and delayed career plans. We deserve better communication about what happens next.”
The college administration has issued a statement confirming they’re working closely with government officials to resolve the situation “as quickly as possible.” They’ve promised affected students will receive updated course schedules and extended semester dates to ensure completion of required academic hours.
This incident highlights the broader tensions surrounding Bill 96 implementation across Quebec’s educational landscape. Enacted in 2022, the legislation aims to strengthen French language protections but has faced criticism for potentially limiting educational access and international recruitment.
What makes LaSalle’s situation particularly complex is its reputation as a global education destination. Walking through Montreal’s downtown core, I’ve always been struck by the international diversity that institutions like LaSalle bring to our city’s cultural fabric.
François Legault’s government has maintained that protecting French remains non-negotiable, even as educational institutions struggle with implementation challenges. Higher Education Minister Pascale Déry declined my request for comment, but her office provided a statement emphasizing that “exceptions to French-language education must follow proper regulatory channels.”
For now, LaSalle College has established temporary study halls and online resources for affected students. They’ve also opened a special assistance office to help international students navigate potential visa complications resulting from program delays.
As I left the campus this afternoon, I noticed small groups of students organizing peer study sessions in nearby cafés – a testament to their resilience amid uncertainty. This situation raises important questions about how Montreal balances its role as both guardian of French culture and host to global educational ambitions.
The coming weeks will prove critical for LaSalle College as they navigate these choppy regulatory waters. For the students caught in the middle, each passing day represents both lost learning opportunities and mounting anxiety about their academic future in Quebec.
