Protest follows permit suspensions at four Quebec private colleges
Dozens of students rallied outside a private college in Montreal on Sunday after the Quebec government suspended operating permits for four private, subsidized institutions, halting programs and leaving many — particularly international students — unsure how to complete their studies or maintain legal status in Canada.
The demonstration centred on the Collège supérieur de Montréal, one of four schools that have seen their permits pulled in recent weeks, alongside the Collège supérieur de Sherbrooke in the Eastern Townships, Collège Herzing, and the Collège de technologie Veritas, both in Montreal. Students say the closures were communicated with little notice, and some were within weeks of finishing their programs when classes stopped.
For those studying on visas, the sudden pause is particularly fraught. Many international students’ immigration status is tied to full‑time enrolment. Without active studies or a pathway to completion, they risk losing the right to study or work while they seek alternatives. Students who spoke at the protest described sleepless nights and a scramble to understand what options remain.
"I basically stay up at night crying because my papers will expire on Aug. 31," she said. "I don't have the right to work, and I don't have the right to study."
That was how Samia Chraibi, a Moroccan student at Collège supérieur de Montréal who expected to graduate this summer, captured the stakes. Another student, Ouazar Ghenima of Algeria, said she had only an exam and an internship left to become a medical secretary before the announcement hit.
"We were all in shock," she said. "We had made projects thinking we were almost done, that everything was fine, that we were going to move on to the next step … and now, we're just wa"
Which colleges are affected
Four private, subsidized colleges are named in the suspensions described by students and confirmed in recent reporting. Two are in Montreal, and one serves the Eastern Townships:
| College | Location |
|---|---|
| Collège supérieur de Montréal | Montreal |
| Collège Herzing | Montreal |
| Collège de technologie Veritas | Montreal |
| Collège supérieur de Sherbrooke | Eastern Townships (Sherbrooke) |
Students report immediate disruptions
Students said the closures were communicated a little over a week ago, and several learned they would not be able to finish as planned. The most acute cases involve those nearing graduation who now lack clarity on transfer credits, credential recognition, or timelines to complete remaining course work and internships. For international students, the uncertainty extends to the ability to remain in the country if they are no longer enrolled.
In interviews at the Montreal protest, students described a range of unanswered questions:
- Whether their transcripts and credits can be transferred quickly to other recognized institutions;
- If internships required for graduation can be arranged elsewhere and recognized;
- How to maintain valid status if their study plans are interrupted, and whether any bridging solutions will be offered;
- What happens to tuition paid for courses that will not be delivered due to the suspension.
What comes next for affected students
With the summer term underway and some students within weeks of finishing their programs, timing is a pressing concern. Students told reporters they have begun contacting other colleges to inquire about recognition of completed coursework and available seats in comparable programs. Others are seeking legal advice about immigration implications should their registration lapse before they can secure placement elsewhere.
In previous instances where institutions have closed programs midstream, students have often relied on official transcripts and program outlines to support credit recognition at other schools. Affected students in Montreal said they are trying to secure documents now to avoid delays. They also urged clear guidance from authorities on transfer pathways and interim measures that could allow them to remain eligible to study or work while sorting out next steps.
Broader implications for international students
International students typically navigate tightly defined rules on study and work rights tied to their enrolment status. When courses stop unexpectedly, even short gaps can trigger cascading challenges — from lost work authorization to difficulties renewing permits. Students at Sunday’s protest said the uncertainty compounds financial strain, as many have already paid tuition and living costs based on timelines that now look unlikely to be met.
While the province has moved to suspend the permits of the four colleges, students said they have yet to receive comprehensive instructions on program completion or refunds. For now, they are calling for expedited solutions that allow them to finish without losing immigration status and for transparent communication from both schools and the government.
