Conférence des recteurs et des principaux des universités du Québec

• Activities by Sector
  • Administration and Finance
  • Legal Affairs and Archives
  • Analyse des politiques publiques
  • Teaching and Research
    • Academic Affairs
    • Admission and Student Files
    • Current Program Evaluation Review
    • Ethics in University Research
    • Information and Communication Technologies (ICT)
    • Libraries
    • Medical Affairs
    • Program Proposal Evaluation
    • Research
    • Student Services
    • University Sports
  • Information and Public Relations
  • Institutional Research
  • International Relations
  • Human Resources, Health and Safety
• Publications
• Useful Links
  • Ministries and Agencies
  • Research Guides
  • Student Federations and Unions
  • University Associations
  • Research Agencies
  • Business
  • School and College Associations
  • Professional Organizations

Montreal, April 1, 2011 – The Conference of Rectors and Principals of Quebec Universities (CREPUQ) deplores the events that took place yesterday in the course of a demonstration at its Sherbrooke Street offices, during which a CREPUQ employee suffered a double fracture of her right arm.

The demonstrators who occupied the CREPUQ offices yesterday obviously do not represent all Quebec students. Indeed, we call upon student leaders, in particular those of the ASSE, to use every means available to prevent such disgraceful events from happening again.

Everyone is entitled to an opinion about tuition fees, but the debate must remain civilized and respect each individual’s position and physical person.

The excellence of and access to a university education are extremely important to university rectors and principals, as they are to Quebec society as a whole. And the only way to protect accessibility and quality is by funding universities adequately while improving financial aid.

It is worth noting that 35% of all tuition increases will go toward improving student financial assistance. Ultimately, $118 million a year will serve, among other things, to implement the following measures announced by the Quebec government:

• The government will offset the increase in tuition fees for students benefitting from the Loans and Bursaries Program by maintaining the ceiling on loans at 2010-11 levels. This means that, for students who are already getting the maximum loan and who also receive a bursary, the bursary will be adjusted to account for the tuition increase. These students, who are among the least fortunate, will therefore not feel any impact of the increase.

• The government will increase the special allocation for students who receive the maximum loan only.

• The government will maintain current tax credits (which represent 20% of tuition fees and related costs). All students – whether or not they receive financial assistance under the Loans and Bursaries Program – can thus reduce the financial impact of the increase in tuition fees.

• The government will reduce the amount of parental and spousal contributions.

• The government will improve the loans program for part-time students, and transportation costs will be taken into account when determining loans for students from outlying regions.

• The current Deferred Payment Plan will also be improved. The eligibility period will be extended from 5 to 10 years following the end of studies and the assistance period will be increased from 24 to 60 months. In addition, the eligibility threshold for the Deferred Payment Plan will be increased gradually.

CREPUQ includes all 18 Quebec universities. The organization acts as their voice in relations with government and milieus concerned with university education and research. It also fosters coordination and collaboration between universities, is a research centre for university administrations, acts as a centre for coordination and joint service delivery, and is a resource centre and think tank for its members.

Source :
Chantal Pouliot, Director of Communications
Conference of Rectors and Principals of Quebec Universities
514 288-8524, ext. 244
chantal.pouliot@crepuq.qc.ca