LaSalle College officially started its fall semester on Tuesday, after having postponed the start of classes by one day.
The downtown Montreal CEGEP is facing a $30-million fine for accepting too many English-speaking students, which it has admitted to. It was hoping to reach an agreement with the Quebec government.
The CAQ imposed limits on the number of students who can be enrolled in English-language college programs as part of a new language law passed in 2022.
“This decision stems from our unwavering commitment to our community,” the college said. “Students, teachers, staff members: we are one. Their well-being, future, and success are at the heart of all our decisions. Resuming classes is, for us, a matter of course, a necessity, a duty.
“That said, we cannot remain silent about the government’s approach, which we consider excessive, even abusive, both in substance and in form.”
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The subsidized private CEGEP defended its actions, saying it was previously impossible to abide by the quotas without impacting current and enrolled students.
On Sunday, college officials wrote a letter to Premier François Legault to express deep concern about the future of the college, which has served Quebec students since 1959.
LaSalle College has asked the Quebec Superior Court to overturn the fine.
“The cuts to operating subsidies totaling $30 million are disproportionate to the alleged offences and out of step with practices in other sectors,” the school wrote. “They are incompatible with the reality of a non-profit institution whose mission is educational.
“Despite an initial letter sent in August 2021, no opportunity for dialogue was offered until August 2025. Four years of uncertainty, without response, without meetings, without being heard. An institution should never be forced to go to court to get its government to listen.”
