Many Concordia students and graduates want to remain in Quebec after their studies and have a real positive impact on our society. (Photo credit: Emily Gan)
In October 2023, the Quebec government announced its intention to significantly increase tuition fees for all students from outside Quebec who choose to study at an English-language institution, starting in the fall of 2024. The proposed increases are already having a devastating impact on Concordia University's budget, and undermine the very nature of the institution, whose identity is based on the values of diversity, accessibility and inclusion.
Contrary to the rhetoric of the government and certain media, many Concordia students and graduates want to remain in Quebec after their studies and have a real positive impact on our society. Some are involved in research into the well-being of the elderly, indigenous communities or individuals with disabilities, while others are involved in politics, culture, public health or the sports teams so beloved by Quebecers.
A few testimonials have been collected in a series of articles, featuring these students and graduates:
- Musician and professor Kate Bevan-Baker;
- Epidemiologist Herak Apelian;
- Dancer and doctoral student in the Department of Health, Kinesiology and Applied Physiology Emma Chen;
- Montreal Alouettes head therapist Tristan Castonguay;
- Public affairs consultant, and son of Jean Charest, Antoine Dionne Charest;
- Social entrepreneur and advocate for the inclusion of people with disabilities in society Maude Massicotte;
- Post-doctoral researcher Thaïs Bernos, who combines the power of Indigenous knowledge with Western science;
- Music producer Devon Bate, who has worked with award-winning artists Jean-Michel Blais and Jeremy Dutcher.