Anti-austerity strikes have been taking place in Montreal by students in the last few weeks, causing issues for Quebec post-secondary schools.
As of March 22, a strike vote prompted Concordia officials to cancel 120 classes, with more possible cancellations on the way.
The hundreds of students who have voted to strike are angered by the Liberal government’s austerity measures and what they will mean for increased tuition in the next year.
Concordia Student Union (CSU) president Ben Prunty joined the protest March 26.
Hundreds of protesters, mostly students, demonstrated near the National Assembly to show their outrage with the provincial budget.
It was at this demonstration that Naomi Tremblay-Trudeau, 18, was shot directly in the face with a tear-gas canister, rendering her unconscious and leaving her face severely bruised.
Prunty said he believes the police violence was “a clear sign of awful leadership,” and advised students to “band together and stay safe” on the streets, as well as to “respond with increasing mobilization”.
“I don’t think this is the real fight, this is just the first of many battles,” Prunty said.
However, whether or not they are participating in the strike, Concordia and CEGEP students will face more financial challenges than the rising tuition fees.
As the Quebec Education Minister François Blais announced March 24, the province will not front the cost of a makeup semester for students who missed class by striking, as they did in previous years.
CEGEP student Noemie Fontaine took to Facebook to express her outrage at Minister Blais’ announcement. Calling his speech a “wonderful brainwashing job,” she said she believed it was a scare tactic to discourage student voices.
However, Blais is not the only one using these tactics. The Université du Québec à Montréal (UQAM), which once stood by student mobs in the 2012 rallies, is threatening expulsion for leading involvement in tuition strikes.
Prunty said he does not think these announcements will quell the strikes.
He said he believes the strike has given students the voice they needed against austerity.
“We are rejecting it today, and we will continue rejecting it tomorrow until the government falls in line with society,” Prunty said.
Many of the university stakeholders, as well as the president of the university himself, have been supportive, according to the CSU.
Anti-austerity demonstrations have moved across the provincial border, too.
On March 30, a demonstration occurred on Carleton University’s campus.
Carleton students participated in a rally against the Board of Governors tuition report, following plans to increase tuition next year.
