Press review - Quebec City's intention to limit the number of foreign students worries Eastern Quebecers

21
August 2024

François Legault's announcement on Tuesday that he would like to limit the number of foreign students in the province is worrying educational institutions in Eastern Quebec.

Very few details have yet been revealed about this new bill, due to be tabled this fall, but the announcement is already causing concern.

Cégep de la Gaspésie et des Îles is welcoming 120 international students this fall, out of a total enrolment of 1,280. As in Matane, management recognizes that these international students help maintain several programs.

They consolidate departments that could be weakened by a shortage of students, and offer our local students the opportunity to have a good portfolio of training courses available," notes Marie-Claude Brière, General Manager of the Côte-de-Gaspé Chamber of Commerce.

Marie-Claude Brière.

Marie-Claude Brière is General Manager of the Côte-de-Gaspé Chamber of Commerce.

Photo : Jacques Gratton

She adds that the impact of these students' presence extends beyond the walls of the CEGEP, since in addition to enriching the host society, they often choose to take up part-time employment.

In the peak season, foreign students stay here in the summer and during the holiday season, because their families are away, they come to work part-time in our region's businesses and NPOs. They give our local employees a break, so it's a very positive contribution.

A quote from Marie-Claude Brière, General Manager of the Côte-de-Gaspé Chamber of Commerce

Read the full article https://ici.radio-canada.ca/nouvelle/2098515/etudiants-etrangers-international-cegep-matane-gaspesie-uqar?