Panic, sadness, devastation at Bishop’s University over Quebec’s new tuition rates

"I see it as a direct threat to our institution," said Bishop's University principal Sébastien Lebel-Grenier. "We stand to be by far the most affected university in Quebec."

Panic has set in at Bishop’s University in Quebec’s Eastern Townships, with the recent announcement of a dramatic hike in tuition fees for out-of-province students.

The small liberal arts college attracts students from across Canada and around the world. With nearly one-third from outside Quebec, the university says its very survival is at stake.

Sophia Stacey is from Alberta and loves the French language and Quebec culture.

That’s why she chose to study at Bishop’s University.

As the head of the university’s student union, she says many students here feel the same. But that is all under threat now that the government has announced tuition for out-of-province students will double.

“When students found out last week, they were initially panicked because it wasn’t clear whether it would apply to them or not,” Stacey said.

“Once students began to understand that it wouldn’t apply to them directly, they began to feel angry, because it’s a threat to their longevity and the sustainability of Bishop’s University.”

According to the university’s 2022-2023 enrolment statistics, 30 per cent of their students came from out of province, 55 per cent were from Quebec and 15 per cent were international students. The total number of students enrolled that period was 2,650.